Tag: 1st Peter 3:8-14
Laying hold of God’s blessings!
Scripture reading for October 11th: 1st Peter 3, Psalm 53, Proverbs 17
1st Peter 3: 8-14 “Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness sake, you will be blessed.”
The psalmist stated plainly that we are all ‘fools’ in that we have not understood God’s love or His righteousness and His provision to make us right with Him and a good servant of others. However, in Christ Jesus, we can now know the Father’s love and His mercy in forgiveness of our sins. Because of this, we can now begin to love others. Peter called the brothers to unity of mind, sympathy for those lost and hurting, a tender heart and a gracious attitude towards all. For reviling, believers are called to bless! We use our tongues and breath to bring God’s grace to all. In doing so, we reap what we sow! Blessings come back to us in waves of God’s love and approval. Even if we suffer for doing good, God blesses all the more! God is watching His children, and in Christ, they are made righteous and are channels of His blessing to the world! Stay cool, bless and do not curse!
Psalm 53:1-3 “The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, doing abominable iniquity; there is none who does good. God looks down from heaven on the children of man to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God. They have all fallen away; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.”
Prayer: Father God, You alone watch each person’s heart. Thank You for knowing all about us and still loving us enough to show mercy through Your Son. Fill me with the Holy Spirit and empower me today afresh to bless others You bring into my life. Help me to stay in unity with Your family and be gentle and tenderhearted towards those hurting or suffering. Give me a cool spirit and understanding of Your ways.
Proverbs 17:27 “Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.”
Called to bless!
Scripture reading for October 14th: 1st Peter 3
Key Scriptures: 1st Peter 3:8-12 “Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
Peter called the believers to unity and brotherly love. Their hearts were to remain tender and their minds humble toward the brothers and sisters. If anyone did evil towards them or spoke evil of them, they were to counter with a blessing of those misguided and bitter people. They were to seek peace and be peacemakers and do good towards them, not fear them. Peter then quoted Psalm 34:12-16 that encourages God’s people to watch their tongues and their actions. It also promised that God sees everything and hears every prayer. God also sets His face against those who are doing evil and He alone will repay. You may still suffer reviling or evil treatment, but for doing good and not evil you will be blessed by God! You should also be ready to share Christ with them when your love breaks through their hard hearts!
1st Peter 3:13-14 “Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.”
Faith confession and prayer: Father God, help me today to stay humble in my mind and keep a tender heart towards those who would mistreat me or revile me. This requires Your supernatural strength for I am often weak. Prompt me to be ready and bold to share the hope I have in Christ Jesus with gentleness and reverence. Let Your love and blessing break through hard hearts.
1st Peter 3:17-18 “For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is God’s will, than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit. . .”