"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT NOT RETURNING EVIL FOR EVIL, BUT RETURN A BLESSING INSTEAD"
1st Peter 3:8 “Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous;”
1st Peter 3:9 “not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.”
1st Peter 3:10 “For “He who would love life And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit.”
1st Peter 3:11 “Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it.”
1st Peter 3:12 “For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil.”
Taken from today's reading in "The One Year Bible”.
Some explanatory thoughts, applications, questions and a prayer:
Peter, in this part of his letter, had been dealing with personal relationships.
Christians and the government, their employers, wives with disobedient husbands, and husbands with their wives.
Here he talks about Christian to Christian, and Christian to anyone one else.
It's about how to behave ourselves. And the blessing that God will bring.
1. We are not to return evil for evil, but rather blessing.
1st Peter 3:8 “Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous;”
1st Peter 3:9 “not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.”
Unity of mind is called for.
Compassion for one another is listed.
Loving one another as brothers.
Tenderheartedness and courteous attitudes.
And not retaliating.
Not returning evil for evil.
Nor reviling for reviling.
But on the contrary.
Return a blessing instead.
The person who follows this teaching is promised by the Lord to receive a blessing in their lives.
2. How to love life and see good days.
1st Peter 3:10 “For “He who would love life And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit.”
1st Peter 3:11 “Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it.”
1st Peter 3:12 “For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil.”
These verses tell us how to enjoy our lives.
If we want to enjoy our lives, than here's how to do it.
Refrain our tongues from evil.
Refrain our lips from speaking deceit.
Let us turn away from evil and do good.
Let us seek peace and pursue it.
3. Thank God He is watching us and is listening as we pray.
1st Peter 3:12 “For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil.”
God, of course, can see us.
His eyes are on the righteous.
And His ears are open to our prayers.
But here's a sobering warning.
His face is against those who do evil.
God is open to good, but He is against evil.
Some Questions:
1. How do these verses strike you?
2. Aren't they loaded with lots of practical and meaningful instruction?
3. Can you see clearly what to do and how to act? And what not to do, and how not to act?
4. God promises us a good and blessed life if we follow His ways.
5. Can we take a moment to just ponder what has been said here?
6. How is God showing you to apply this in your life right now?
A Prayer:
Father, thank You for the vast amount of loving instruction You give us in Your Word. Please help us to take the time to read and think about what You have to say to us. I know for me sometimes it's hard to just slow down and simply concentrate on Your Word, and I'm sure I speak for many who face the same challenges. But when we do take the time to feed our souls, my what a nourishing meal it is.
Thank You, Lord. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia
