Bible League: Living His Word For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil.— 1 Peter 3:17 ESV In the days in which we live, Christians are finding it more difficult to take their stand in the world. Society unknowingly continues to lose ground ethically and morally, and this causes Christians to "look down" where they are standing and question if they ought not to move also. After all, believers do not want to appear either too tolerant or intolerant of the world in which they also must live, a common excuse posed by some. The pending dilemma is that any such move usually negatively impacts our testimony and weakens the Church's proclamation of the truth. The words of Peter, spoken amid a Roman society steeped in debaucherous moral decay, can also help modern believers know exactly where to stand in their faith, and we should be very glad for them. Read carefully these four verses again and note that in the middle of verse 15, believers are given their mark for where to firmly stand in a world crumbling around them: "...in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you..." The word used for "honor" is perhaps more accurately understood as a word for "proving" Christ as holy, set apart for obedience and adoration. The Christian's stand in life, is that of proving and proclaiming the very character of Christ the Lord, verified by those observing our lifestyle. This is the "reason for the hope" that is in us (verse 15), and life lived in such a way can dispel whatever fear arises within our souls. Read the passage once more and recognize that Christians who know their standing in Christ stand out! They are characterized by being "zealous for what is good," and then allowing their "good conscience" to motivate their "good behavior in Christ." Most Bible teachers believe the word "good" is a working synonym for the word "God," since God is the essence of all that is good. In a society which is now consciously moving away from God, it is all the more necessary for Christians to stand firm and zealously pursue godliness. Rest assured, you will be noticed, for "good" is the declarative mark of a Christian in both its pursuit and proclamation. Peter has questioned what harm can come to the Christian who has staked his life in God (verse 13). Indeed, he was talking of a Spiritual protection that keeps the Christian focused and in fellowship with Christ, for he was very much aware of the physical suffering Christians endure for their faith. He would soon be experiencing persecution himself. But for Peter, his words for Christians of every generation are that "it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil" (verse 17). Charles Stanley summarized this passage by stating that God's "voice leads us not into timid discipleship but into bold witness." Herein is the Christian to take his stand. Such commitment marks a bright light of righteousness in such a dark world. By Bill Niblette, Ph.D., Bible League International staff, Pennsylvania USA Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingPsalm 75, 76, 77 Psalm 75 -- We give thanks to you, God. We give thanks, for your Name is near. NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Psalm 76 -- In Judah, God is known. His name is great in Israel. NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Psalm 77 -- My cry goes to God! Indeed, I cry to God for help NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Romans 6 Romans 6 -- The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion “Though his ministry follows mine, I'm not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandal.”Insight John the Baptist said he was not even worthy to be Christ's slave, to perform the humble task of unfastening his shoes. But according to Luke 7:28, Jesus said that John was the greatest of all prophets. If such a great person felt inadequate even to be Christ's slave, how much more should we lay aside our pride to serve Christ! Challenge When we truly understand who Christ is, our pride and self-importance melt away. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Romans 8:28 We know that all things work together for good to them that love God.Upon some points a believer is absolutely sure. He knows, for instance, that God sits in the stern-sheets of the vessel when it rocks most. He believes that an invisible hand is always on the world's tiller, and that wherever providence may drift, Jehovah steers it. That re-assuring knowledge prepares him for everything. He looks over the raging waters and sees the spirit of Jesus treading the billows, and he hears a voice saying, "It is I, be not afraid." He knows too that God is always wise, and, knowing this, he is confident that there can be no accidents, no mistakes; that nothing can occur which ought not to arise. He can say, "If I should lose all I have, it is better that I should lose than have, if God so wills: the worst calamity is the wisest and the kindest thing that could befall to me if God ordains it." "We know that all things work together for good to them that love God." The Christian does not merely hold this as a theory, but he knows it as a matter of fact. Everything has worked for good as yet; the poisonous drugs mixed in fit proportions have worked the cure; the sharp cuts of the lancet have cleansed out the proud flesh and facilitated the healing. Every event as yet has worked out the most divinely blessed results; and so, believing that God rules all, that he governs wisely, that he brings good out of evil, the believer's heart is assured, and he is enabled calmly to meet each trial as it comes. The believer can in the spirit of true resignation pray, "Send me what thou wilt, my God, so long as it comes from thee; never came there an ill portion from thy table to any of thy children." "Say not my soul, From whence can God relieve my care?' Remember that Omnipotence has servants everywhere. His method is sublime, his heart profoundly kind, God never is before his time, and never is behind." Daily Light on the Daily Path Romans 6:4 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.Romans 6:19 I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, resulting in further lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification. Romans 12:1,2 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. • And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. Galatians 6:15,16 For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. • And those who will walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God. Ephesians 4:17 So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, Ephesians 4:20,21,24 But you did not learn Christ in this way, • if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, • and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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