1 Peter 3-9.1.22

Scripture

1 Peter 3: 8-9

8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. 9 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 talks about the importance of us doing good always, not just when we want to.

Understanding

Obviously we’re all human, right? When someone wrongs us, or when we have a grievance against someone, we’re not always going to treat them with kindness or respect, I’m sure most of us would want to yell or hurl vile insults at people. It's a very common issue, a very human  issue. The thing we need to keep in mind is what Peter tells us to do here; do good always, not just when we want to, but when we don’t want to. When we’re insulted or treated badly, we need to do good and not reciprocate those things, repaying them with blessings instead.

Life Application

We need to keep this on the forefront of our minds, not conforming to the patterns of this world when we’re treated badly or hurt, instead choosing to go the complete opposite direction by repaying those who wrong us with blessings.

-Anakin Cerda

Psalm 62-8.31.22

Scripture

Psalms 62:11-12 NLT

“God has spoken plainly, and I have heard it many times:  Power. O God, belongs to you; unfailing love, O Lord, is yours.  Surely you repay all people according to what they have done.”

Observation-What does it say?

In this psalm, David writes about waiting and trusting in God above anything else. His enemies surround him. His enemies plot to kill him. Even some of his “friends” are two faced (praising him to his face, yet cursing him in their hearts). But through all of this David finds peace. He cries out to God with all of his worries. He trusts in God’s sovereignty and strength. He knows at the end of the day God’s justice will prevail.

Understanding-What does it mean?

We reap what we sow.

“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”-Galatians 6:7-10

If God surely repays all people for what they have done (verse 12 of this chapter), what will I be reaping? What kind of seeds am I sowing?

Life Application

What have I done with the name of Jesus?

We all know if God repays us for what we have done, we would all be in trouble.

“For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.”-Romans 3:23

But thankfully God is so loving and so gracious!

“Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he makes sinners right in his sight when they believe in Jesus.”-Romans 3:24-26

So what have I done with the name of Jesus? Did I accept it or reject it? Am I sowing the seed of Jesus’ name in people’s hearts? Am I sowing seeds to please my flesh, or sowing seeds to please the Holy Spirit? I pray that we all sow the spiritual seeds necessary to live in God’s peace and blessings.

-Moses Gaddi

1 Peter 1-8.30.22

Scripture

1 Peter 1:13-16

Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.

Observation

Peter tells us to “roll up our sleeves and prepare for vigorous and sustained spiritual exertion.” (ESV Reformation Study Bible)

Understanding

Vs. 15 - But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do ...
He called ME. He has a calling on my life – a plan and a purpose – things to accomplish for His kingdom. How awesome is that? I want Him to use me. But, I have to respond in order for those plans to come to fruition.

He calls us to be holy, or set aside for His purposes. Just as Israel was called to be set apart from the nations surrounding it, we have to be different from the world around us. We have to learn to live in the world, minister to those around us, be His hands and feet, while at the same time keeping a distance from the things of the world. We have to love and respect (revere) God enough to follow His voice, His word, His commands daily and in every situation.

Vs. 3 - Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.

Life Application

“The holy people of God are the people who have been distinguished by God’s gracious calling for doing God’s will in the world.” (Ashbury Bible Commentary) God, use me to do your will.

-Debbie Dunn