Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. (1 Peter 3:9)
When someone criticizes us, calls us names, puts us down, yells at us in anger or flings a sarcastic comment at us, how often do we want to return it in like manner? How often are we able to hold our tongues? Even more, are we able to repay this kind of treatment with blessing?
Yet, we are taught to return evil and insult with blessing. Being who and what we are, is this possible? Is this instruction even meant for us? If so, how do we manage to do it?
In today’s verse, we are reminded once again of non-retaliation. This same instruction is found in the gospels of Matthew and Luke.
Although not a long letter, 1 Peter offers many teaching of Jesus, including suffering unjustly, maintaining a gentle and quiet spirit, instructions for Christian husbands and wives, dealing with responsible suffering in the face of hostility, and lessons from the early Christian hymns.
1 Peter is considered by biblical scholars to be one of general instruction to all. It was written at a time when religious rituals were interwoven into every aspect of pagan life. All social, community, political and educational occasions involved rights that Christians could only regard as lawless idolatry.
When Christians did not participate in the life of society around them, they were suspect and maligned as evildoers, considered to be atheists, haters of the human race, and unpatriotic traitors.
But Christians were taught to understand themselves as the holy people of God. Their conduct was to be consistent with honorable deeds that outsiders could see, with a view to their being converted, so that they will glorify God when he comes to judge. The general principle of this whole section is that Christian conduct within the given structures of society is to be seen as part of the church’s evangelistic mission.
So, it is not juts us. It is the church as a whole. It is the whole body of Christians trying to show the rest of the world how Go would want them to respond to evil. Can we do it for the glory of God? Can we do it for the love of Jesus? Can we do it as members of the Christian community did so long ago? Perhaps, by the grace of God, we can.
References: The People’s New Testament Commentary by M. Eugene Boring and Fred B. Craddock and The MacArthur Bible Commentary by John MacArthur.
Columbia Prayer Chain: Wednesday, January 9
In our prayers: Betty Jo Carson, Gary Davis, Eddie Bolton, Myrna, Esther, Pam James, Doug and Sharon, John Kelchner, Elizabeth Matthews, Nedrick Griffin, Jennifer Handy, Nancy Stuckey, Annemarie Sullivan, Rachel and Randy Wurtzbaugh, Patty Peckham, Denise Byrd, Greg and Lisa Steele, Dean Timothy Jones, Linda Langford, Marty Fritz, Harriet Hancock, Tommy and Robby Palmer, Patty and Ted Mac Laughlin, Janet Long, Bobby Wilson, Debbie and Pat Barry, Betty Jo Sullivan, Mary Francis Harris, Patrick and Patricia Barry, Jordan Hill, Doris Clevenger, Charles Sigel, Bob Davis, John Whatley, Nancy Zuckerman, Charles Davis Sr., Bill Carter, Betty Peavy Frick, Joye Cantrell, Fred and Gail, Dale and Norma Sessions, Padge Arrington, Jerry Callahan, Norman Masters
In memoriam: Sgt. 1st Class Bill M Amos U.S. Army (Ret.), Elsie Wolff, Jean Metts Boltin, Mary Muriel Ayer Price, Jerome Charles “Chuck” Sightler III, Mary Kennerty Faulk, Calvin Feaster, Henry Chester Keisler III, Verna DeSanctis Hughes, Willie B. Davis, Jenny Mercer Infinger
Our prayers are with: the elderly, the homeless, all currently fighting illness, all beloved pets, our president and congress, our police officers and firefighters, all who serve in the armed forces
Columbia Prayer Chain is open to all residents of greater Columbia who would like to share prayers and receive the prayers of others. Please leave your name in the comment box below or email me to join our Prayer Chain. It is updated daily.
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