This picture was taken in the Sahel, Niger State, Nigeria, in the dry season at 117 degrees fahrenheit. Image subject to copyright
# 47 2020 Dev. 1Peter 3:10-12. Good and Evil! Read verses 8-22. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living. All passages are taken from the NIV.
1Pe. 3:10 “For, ‘Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech.’
Vs. 8,9 are precepts that apply to last week, living together and suffering for doing good. Vs. 10-12, Peter here quotes Ps. 34 to help those who suffer for doing good. God supports those doing good and opposes those doing evil. In v.13 Peter asks a rhetorical question: “who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?” In other words, it is unconscionable to be opposed when one is doing good but it has been my experience as a missionary, the more good one does the more one is opposed by evil and by evil people. I would have never believed it but that is now a major movement in our own country and it is supported by every evil person, by some churches and by many people claiming to be Christian. Thankfully, Peter comforts us: “but even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed.” Praise God!
In vs.15-17 Peter doubles down on how to deal with unjust persecution: “revere Christ as Lord, always be prepared…to give the reason for the hope that you have.” The reason for hope, what is the reason other than politics? Today, are we able to express the hope Peter is talking about? Surprise, the hope of real followers of Jesus is not politics!
Vs.18-22 Peter gives Jesus as the perfect example of suffering for doing good. From the beginning Satan tried to keep salvation from being offered to all people of the world. By faith salvation is available by the promises of God. Peter tells us that Jesus is chosen to die for sin “to bring you to God” reaching back to the beginning and reaching forward to the end of time. Jesus tells us that the unjust suffering He experienced will include all who have the hope of salvation in Him. Throughout history persecution of the followers of Jesus has been and continues to be experienced by two hundred million people. There is no natural place to stand in this life, people either follow Jesus or are in bed with the world. Make your choice now!
Peter gives us the example of Noah saved by water that “symbolizes baptism” validating our salvation “by the resurrection of Jesus Christ”, now glorified in heaven and is our advocate. That is our hope, we are saved by faith in Jesus beginning the day we believe, and faith motivates followers of Jesus to do good. Evil and evil people will continue to appose what is good, I see it all around me every day. You must decide for yourself, including politics, what is good and what is evil. In that light we listen to God’s Word: Ps. 34:12-16 “For, ‘Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech.’ We thank God for the hope of the followers of Jesus, in that hope, we live and promote peace!
© cgvanwyk, all rights reserved
Heavenhigh 