Compiled By: Lisa K Gonzales
Source: The Life Application Study Bible
13 “Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you suffer for doing what is right, GOD will reward you for it. So do not be afraid and do not worry. 15 Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if you are asked about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. 16 But you must do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak evil against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.” ~ 1 Peter 3:13-16
Rather than fear our enemies, we are to quietly trust in GOD as the LORD of all. We must believe that Christ is truly in control of all events. When He rules our thoughts and emotions, we cannot be shaken by anything our enemies may do. Some Christians believe that faith is a personal matter that should be kept to oneself. It is true that we should not be boisterous or obnoxious in sharing our faith, but we should always be ready to give an answer, gently and respectfully, when asked about our faith, our lifestyle, or our Christian perspective. Can others see your hope in Christ? Are you prepared to tell them what Christ has done in your life?
We may not be able to keep people from speaking evil against us, but we can at least stop supplying them with ammunition. As long as we do what is right, their accusations will be empty and only embarrass them. Keep your conduct above criticism! – “Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what GOD wants, than to suffer for doing wrong!” – 1 Peter 3:17
Father help us to be eager to do good even under the worst of circumstances. But even if we suffer for doing what is right, help us to remember that YOU, Father GOD, will reward us for doing it. We will not be afraid or worry, instead, we will worship Christ as the Lord of our life, and when we are asked about our Christian hope; we will be ready to explain it in a gentle and respectful way. Then we know our conscience will be clear and if people speak evil against us, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life we live because we belong to Christ. LORD, we would rather suffer for doing good if that is what YOU want, than to suffer for doing wrong.
Photo: Tamarindo (Costa Rica)
Photographer: Lisa K Gonzales
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