Scripture to Read: 1 Peter 3:13–14
Last week, God showed us that when we experience evil, we are not to respond by repaying evil with evil but choosing to bless instead. Choosing to bless those who have hurt us requires us to be in right fellowship with our Lord and walking in obedience to Him. In 1 Peter 3:13–14, God's Word says, Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. We must understand that no one can bring everlasting harm to us because the only lasting harm we could face would be spiritual death due to sin. But the Good News is that Christ defeated sin and death for us on the cross. It's a great comfort to know that our souls are healed by our Savior, especially when others hurt us! We must examine our lives when we suffer because sometimes suffering comes due to our sinful choices. But the suffering God is talking about in 1 Peter 3:14 is suffering for the sake of Christ. When we seek to honor our Lord by living for Him (sharing the gospel with the lost, not cheating at school or work, honoring those in authority over us), then when we suffer and are slandered for that, God says we are blessed. God is making this clear to us because it's easy to lose sight of God's blessing when suffering occurs. God does not want us to fear or be troubled by the suffering we face, but He wants us to rest in Him completely.
Challenge & Application
1. How does knowing that no one can bring everlasting harm to us because of Christ in us comfort your heart?
2. How have you seen your fellowship with God grow during times of suffering and trials?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!