Skip to main content

The Walk

           And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason forth hope that is in you, with meekness and fear, having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. (I Peter 3:13-16)  

 

            Who will harm us if we become followers of what is good? Really, Peter? You sound a little naïve. Of course, we should remember that Peter’s life wasn’t without its trials. He was arrested more than once and very likely beaten and otherwise abused. Eventually, he was crucified upside down. It’s not likely that he was ignorant that there were evil people in the world who would delight in defaming and destroying anyone who doesn’t exalt them. There are monsters in the world, but they don’t make up the majority of the population.

            Back in the 1950s, Martin Luther King, Jr. lead a movement that functioned on the notion that when the majority of white folks saw black folks being mistreated, they would do what was right. It took time, but America took action. King’s idea was similar to Peter’s. If you keep doing what is good and right, people will be ashamed of their own evil deeds, or reject the evil deeds done by others against you.

            And even if they don’t, God sees. Eventually, they will face shame for their wicked deeds, even if it isn’t in this lifetime. Humiliating others should not be our goal in doing good. God is likely to reveal your deception if you try it. The goal is their salvation – and the salvation of others who stand by and watch.

            But, one of the keys in this passage is that we are not only to be good – we are to be ready to explain why we are good and why we repent when we’ve been bad. The walk and the talk go hand-in-hand.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The List

              Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,   through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;   perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. (Romans 5:1-5)           Think about it. We have been justified. At least, we could be justified if we stopped insisting that our justification be based on our merits. We have peace with God, or could have peace if we stopped throwing temper tantrums. We have gained access into grace i...
Post a Comment
Read more

Listen!

  While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” (Matthew 17:5)            Do you like roller coasters? I don't. You spend forever climbing a hill. You get to the top and have half a second, then you race down to a low point. Sometimes the racing down involves tying your insides into knots. At the bottom, you either have to be dragged up another hill or you get off the ride. Peter's life was a roller coaster from the time he met Jesus. There would be miracles, and then Jesus would teach things that didn't always make sense, and then they'd go out and perform miracles, and return to be taught. Peter was praised for giving the right answer to "Who do you say that I am?" Jesus said that said answer came from God. Peter was at the top of the hill.            ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Prayer Lists

                 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. (I Peter 2:2-3)   In connection with what I wrote yesterday about the possibility that I’m wrong, I’m feeling the need to go back to basics - craving spiritual milk because somehow, I missed something. It’s a little embarrassing, craving milk like a newborn, but the truth probably is that we are newborns many times in many ways in our lives. From God’s perspective, we may never be anything more than newborns, forever needing that milk. On the other hand, being a newborn can also be exciting because so much is new. My mind is playing pinball - ricocheting from one idea to the next and through six more before it happens to hit the third again. The main topic is prayer. I have at least seven organizing structures all somewhat influenced by the movie War Room , which I’v...
Post a Comment
Read more