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Who Will Harm The One Eager To Do Good?


Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear ; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. (I Peter 3:13-17) 

            Today's passage generates a couple thoughts. The first deals with the first question. Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? Answer: an evil person. Of course, an evil person is going to harm you whether you do good or evil since it is the nature of an evil person to harm others. For those of you who are thinking that an evil person would not harm an evil person because they would be allies, consider the amount of harm involved in encouraging someone in evilness.  So, if you are eager to do good, only evil people will harm you. If you are eager to do evil, both good and evil people will harm you.
            The second is that the key in knowing what is good is obedience to Christ. He is our Lord, and that is the only answer we need when questioned. We don't have to have an elaborate explanation. Our choices are based on our hope in God. Our explanation of this to others, however, must be gentle and respectful. And as we do what is good in obedience to Christ, there will be those who will see, and those who slander us will have to face them. In the end, God will see, and those who slander us will have to face Him.

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