Friday, March 26, 2021
The apostle Peter describes the actions of a Christ-follower that produces a satisfying life.
I Peter 3:9 Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate when people say unkind things about you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That’s what God wants you to do, and He will bless you for it. (NLT)
Peter writes to followers of Christ who were being persecuted, experiencing trial, and were in danger. They were surrounded by hostility. The apostle says, no matter how badly you’re treated – don’t retaliate! Instead, bless them. One Bible teacher suggests this means things like: loving them unconditionally; praying for their salvation; being thankful for them; speaking well of them and seeking their well-being.
If this sounds like a pretty radical response to ill treatment – you’d be right! But, this is how Christ lived when He was on earth. It’s also the way Christ treated you when you wanted nothing to do with Him. So, having received such a blessing from Christ – why do we hesitate at blessing others in the same way?
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.