Monday Devo
Scripture:
1 Peter 3
13 Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats.
13 Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats.
Commentary:
3:13–14 even if. Peter is writing to Christians already suffering for their faith, therefore he is not saying that such suffering is improbable. His point is that no one will ultimately or finally harm Christians, “even if” they suffer now, for God will reward them (cf. Rom. 8:31). Indeed, they will be blessed by God in their sufferings (cf. Matt. 5:10).
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:
- Peter has just told us we need to respond with blessing and grace when we are attacked by evil people. And now he makes the point that it will be rare to be harmed for doing good. Living a righteous life PROBABLY won't lead to suffering, but it could. And eventually it will. Jesus promised us we would suffer if we lived for Him. Peter is telling us to EXPECT it so that we aren't surprised or disillusioned when it comes. When you go through suffering in life, does it tend to shake your faith? How can you better prepare yourself for suffering?
- One of the reasons Christians can become disillusioned in suffering is because of the infiltration of the prosperity gospel in our culture. Instead of faith being confidence in who God is and what He's promised, they've turned it into some kind of weapon that we can leverage to get God to do what we want. And that if we just have enough faith, we will be healed. If we give enough money, we will be prosperous. We will be happy. They peddle the lie that God wants not what is best for us, but what is easiest for us, what makes us the most comfortable. Have you ever fallen victim to this twisted form of Christianity? How do we stay vigilant when it comes to recognizing these ideals in preaching or Christian books?
Pray:
- That you would learn to expect suffering so you aren't surprised by it.
- That you would remember that God wants what is best for you, not what is easiest.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
1. Who is Jesus? I believe Jesus is God because Jesus said He is God and proved it by rising from the dead and appearing to His disciples, His brother James, 500 others at one time, and Paul.
(Mark 3:21; John 8:58, 10:30-33, 14:9-11; Acts 9:1-6; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8; Colossians 1:15-20; Hebrews 1:2-3; James 1:1)
(Mark 3:21; John 8:58, 10:30-33, 14:9-11; Acts 9:1-6; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8; Colossians 1:15-20; Hebrews 1:2-3; James 1:1)
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