1 Pet 3:8–18

3:8
Finally, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, affectionate, compassionate, and humble.
9
Do not return evil for evil or insult for insult, but instead bless others
because you were called to inherit a blessing.
10
For the one who wants to love life and see good days must keep
his tongue from evil and his lips from uttering deceit.
11
And he must turn away from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it.
12
For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous and his ears are open to their prayer.
But the Lord’s face is against those who do evil.
13
For who is going to harm you if you are devoted to what is good?
14
But in fact, if you happen to suffer for doing what is right, you are
blessed. But do not be terrified of them or be shaken.
15
But set Christ apart as Lord in your hearts and always be ready to give an
answer to anyone who asks about the hope you possess.
16
Yet do it with courtesy and respect, keeping a good conscience, so that
those who slander your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame when they
accuse you.
17
For it is better to suffer for doing good, if God wills it, than for doing evil.
18
Because Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, to
bring you to God, by being put to death in the flesh but by being made
alive in the spirit.

One thought:

Everyone is going to suffer. It seems far preferable to suffer for a short time for the sake of good, than suffer for a long time for the sake of evil.

Three questions:

 

Have a read of Psalm 34 – why might Peter quote this Psalm?

 

On a scale of 1-10, how fearful are you of suffering for being a Christian?

 

Try to think of a time when someone has insulted your beliefs? How would you like to respond in the future?

Prayer:

 

Give thanks that we have a future inheritance where there will be no more fear of ridicule and harm.

Ask God to help us to look forward to the inheritance and blessing we have in Him now and our future hope.

Ask God to help you endure suffering for the sake of good.

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