Wednesday Devo
Scripture:
1 Peter 3
9 Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing.
9 Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing.
Commentary:
3:8–9 Finally, all of you provides a transition from the preceding specific instructions to a list of godly virtues that all believers are called to exemplify at all times. Those who bless others will receive a blessing from God, which Peter explains in the following verses.
Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 2410.
Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 2410.
Questions:
- When someone does something evil to hurt us, our gentle RESPONSE is to be one of BLESSING. We don't hit back, fight back or yell back. Peter is speaking from experience here, because he messed this up when they showed up to arrest Jesus in the garden. Not retaliating when we are wronged goes against our sin nature, but it's what Jesus modeled for us and commands that we emulate. What is your immediate response when someone does you wrong? Where do you need to grow in this area?
- Jesus taught that we should love our enemies. This is the one thing that separates us from every other religion and belief system on the planet! This is what makes us stand apart in our every day lives. We love people, even people that want to hurt us. How do we love and bless people that intend us harm or that do us wrong? It means love them unconditionally, pray for them, pray for their salvation if they aren't saved, pray for God's blessings on them... it means FORGIVING them. Is there someone that comes to mind right now that, even if you're angry with them, God might be leading you to pray for instead? Spend some time today praying for those you are in conflict with and watch how God changes your heart.
Pray:
- That you would learn to bless your enemies.
- That you would respond like Jesus instead of reacting sinfully.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
7. How can I trust that the Bible is still God’s Word today? I trust the Bible is still God’s Word today because Jesus rose from the dead, proving He was God and said His words would never pass away. Through the Holy Spirit, God inspired the writing of the Scripture, determined the canon of Scripture and protected the copying of Scripture so that we might know Him and worship Him to this day.
(Matthew 24:35; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Revelation 22:18-19)
(Matthew 24:35; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Revelation 22:18-19)
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