Links for today’s readings:
Nov 9 Read: Ezekiel 40 Listen: (8:21) Read: 1 Peter 3 Listen: (3:30)
Scripture Focus: 1 Peter 3.8-9, 13-17
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…
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. 17 For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
Reflection: Are We Soft About Suffering?
By John Tillman
Peter wrote to Christians he called “exiles” (1 Pet 2.11), even though most of them still lived in the cities and cultures they were born into. Their exile was a spiritual, not a political or geographical, reality. When they became followers of Jesus, they crossed a line of citizenship into the borders of a new kingdom. The kingdom they were born into became an enemy kingdom and they became exiles.
Perhaps this is why Peter encouraged them by quoting a section of Psalm 34. David wrote Psalm 34 about becoming an exile and suffering evil treatment in his own country, ruled by Saul. He fled to an enemy kingdom (1 Sam 21.10-14) and was surrounded by dangerous enemies.
Peter knew what it was like to grow up in a culture and country and find yourself labeled an enemy of that culture and country. He knew what it was like to be mistreated. So when he tells his readers (including us) to “repay evil with blessing” (v. 9) or to “suffer for doing good,” (v. 17) he knows what he is talking about. When Peter and the apostles suffered mistreatment for teaching about Jesus, they rejoiced (Acts 5.41). Do we?
Some Christians around the world have their churches burned down or bulldozed by the government. Some are jailed, deported, or killed for their faith. Recently, the United States has decided to refuse asylum to these Christians and leave them in their circumstances. At the same time, some Christians here loudly complain about our suffering.
Has Western Christianity (especially in America) gotten soft about suffering? Have we suffered so little, for so long, that we think being argued with is “suffering” and minor inconveniences are “persecution”?
I think Peter would not only ask us if we are actually suffering, but if what we call “suffering” is happening because we are “doing good” or not. Not every suffering we face is for the gospel. Sometimes, it is for having no tact or compassion.
It may be true that Christians in the United States and other Western countries will face greater opposition in the future. From how we act today, I don’t think we are ready.
Meditate on some of the challenging commands Peter gave his churches. What do they mean for our lives today?
Do good that wins people over and defuses slander. (v. 13 and 16)
Do not fear threats. (v. 14
Be prepared with hope-filled answers. (v. 16)
If you suffer, suffer for good, not evil. (v. 17)
Divine Hours Prayer: The Refrain for the Morning Lessons
“Because the needy are oppressed, and the poor cry out in misery, I will rise up,” says the Lord, “And give them the help they long for.” — Psalm 12.5
– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Autumn and Wintertime by Phyllis Tickle.
Read more: A Temple for Exiles
The very people who were banking on God protecting the temple because it was holy were the ones making the temple an unholy place.
Read more: Love One Another
Being a jerk is a conscious decision. We choose not to love someone. We choose not to speak kindly. We choose not to withhold insults.
