1 Peter 3 - 7.5.23

Scripture 

1 Peter 3:9, 13-16

9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult.  On the contrary, repay evil with blessings, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing….13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 

Observation 

Peter is speaking about suffering for doing good. As Christ followers, it is a blessing to suffer for doing good. 

“So, then, even in suffering, the Christian is still blessed.  When the suffering is for Christ, he is demonstrating his loyalty to Christ and is sharing his sufferings….No man escapes suffering, but for the Christian, suffering cannot touch the things which matter most of all.” (studylight.org)

Application

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21).”

One of the greatest testimonies of our Christian faith is how we respond to suffering. We must overcome evil with good. When we overcome evil with good, we don’t give the enemy a foothold.

When things are going well in life, it’s easy to do good, but how about when someone hurts us deeply? How about when people slander us? (Oxford dictionary defines slander as making false and damaging statements about someone.)  On a deeper level, how about when the enemy tries to lie to us about the character and goodness of God or about our assurance of salvation, identity in Christ and our hope? I am reminded of Pastor Levi’s sermon last Sunday on putting on the Helmet of Salvation. If you missed it, I highly encourage you to watch it at this link: https://youtu.be/SYq3kBFOSfo

God’s Word says we are blessed when we find ourselves suffering for doing good and must continue to maintain our good behavior in Christ. I admit that this can be very difficult! Jesus suffered, on all levels, worse than anyone who has ever lived, so He understands it well.  Run to Him for help.

Prayer

Dear Lord,

I admit that when I suffer for doing good, my first response is to want to repay evil with evil.  I pray that even in hardships and suffering, the fruits of the Spirit would still be evident in my life and that I would overcome evil with Your good.  Amen. 

-Michelle Gaddi