Living Hope Day 10

Living Hope Day 10 Reading:

1 Peter 3:8-12

Ponder

In some translations, 1 Peter 3:8-12 begins with the word “finally.” It isn’t that Peter had come to his final or most important point—the letter continues for two more chapters—but that he has come to his final exhortation concerning Christians and relationships. He’d already discussed submitting to authority and relating to masters/bosses. He’d given instructions to husbands and wives, and, finally, he turned his attention to relationships with believers and unbelievers. 

So what can we glean from these verses? 

• Harmony, sympathy, love, compassion and humility should be defining characteristics of the Christian life. Believers are to be set apart from the world around them, considering others as more important than themselves and focusing on their commitment to Christ rather than their differences. These characteristics should describe the church, but should also characterize our relationships with all people. 
  

• People are going to mistreat us; don’t retaliate. Many scholars see verse 8 as describing the relationship between fellow Christians, while verses 9-12 focus on unbelievers. It’s certainly possible, but it’s also true that Peter could have had all people in mind. The reality is, people are going to mistreat us in this world, but rather than “paying back evil for evil” or hurling insults back in their faces, we’re to follow the example of Jesus and bless those who hurt us. Rather than rejoice when they get what they deserve, Peter invites us to pray that God will show his favor and grace to those who’ve hurt us. 
  

• The Christian life is characterized by good works. Peter’s admonition in verse 10 is not that we earn salvation by doing good things, but rather than our good works are the evidence of redeemed lives. As believers who have received new life through Jesus, Christians live transformed lives that are focused on what’s most important and eternal. When we’re focused on what Jesus has done and the glorious eternity we’ve been promised, we’re less likely to spend our time on evil words and lies. 
  

• The Christian life isn’t passive. Peter instructed believers to actively turn away from evil and seek to do good; to seek peace and do the hard work of maintaining it. We do not deserve nor can we earn our salvation; it is God alone who gives us new life. But the life of obedience and goodness Peter has been describing doesn’t just happen. Just as you can’t learn to play the piano without practicing or build stronger muscles without exercising, we have to pursue and practice the godly, righteous life we’ve been called to live. 

Journal

• How do you see the Holy Spirit cultivating the characteristics listed in verse 8 in your life? Are there areas of your life where you need to allow the Spirit to work? 

• Think about the last time you were mistreated. How did you feel? What was your initial reaction? What would it look like for you to bless that person? 

• How are you actively pursuing the godly, righteous life God has called you to? What steps might you need to take this week to turn away from evil and pursue peace in your world? 

• Journal your prayer of praise to God, thanking him for the glorious new life he has given you in Christ. Ask him to overwhelm you with the glory of what he’s done so that everything else pales in comparison.