1 Peter 3 - 5.26.26

SCRIPTURE:  1 Peter 3:8-9 “Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”

OBSERVATION:  Peter, the author emphasized an important truth that characterizes a genuine Christ-follower; basically someone who loves in thought, word and deed.

APPLICATION:  Believers honor God by doing good, being devoted to one another in love, honoring one another above ourselves, being joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer, sharing with the Lord’s people who are in need, practicing hospitality, AND …blessing those who persecute us.  We are not to curse the evil ones, but to bless them!  And when our enemies are hungry, we are to feed them, and give them a drink when they are thirsty. We as Christ- followers are not to be overcome with evil, but to overcome evil with good.  (Romans 12:9-21).

Forgiveness is also something we’ve been called to do as genuine Christ-followers, but it is not an easy thing to do, especially when we have been wronged, hurt, or sinned against!  BUT… If we love others the way God loves us, we will be willing to forgive, especially since He forgave us when we sinned against Him! 

PRAYER:  Lord, The last thing we feel like doing is blessing our enemies!  Only with Your love in our heart’s are we able to obey this command! When we end up suffering because of someone else’s evil deeds, You have called us to bless them, instead of curse them. That is only possible as we rely on Your love, power and strength!  You have called us to live good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse us of doing wrong, they may see our good deeds and glorify You. I pray Your love will fill my heart to overflowing for others.  I pray You will help me to follow Your example by the way You forgave the ones who wronged You, and the one’s who sinned against You.  Thank You for helping my life to reflect Your love as You fill me with genuine affection for all people. 

- Robin Orefice