Day 438: Keeping the peace – 1 Peter 3 vs 8 – 17

8 Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tender-hearted, and keep a humble attitude. 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. 10-12 For the Scriptures say, “If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil.”

13 Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good?  14-16 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. Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.  But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.  17  Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong! 1 Peter 3:8-17 New Living Translation paraphrase (English Standard Version link)

Peter urges Christians to do their best to live humble and compassionate lives. They shouldn't be argumentative and looking for trouble, but should defuse explosive situations with kind answers. (vs 9) As Proverbs 15:1 in the Old Testament says: “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” He then quotes some words from Psalm 34 to back up what he is saying. What do those verses teach us about what God wants for our lives and how we should go about it? (vs 10-12)

While we know that being a Christian can lead to suffering, God's general purpose is for us to know both peace and joy. Jesus said to His disciples: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.” (John 14:27) And a little later He says: “I have spoken these things to you that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” (John 15:11) But that peace and joy can be disturbed if we don't follow what God's word calls us to do in our everyday relationships and interactions with people. What did Psalm 34 urge believers to do?

We must not speak in an evil manner, nor tell any lies. We should turn from all wrong behaviour and make every effort to be at peace with all. Now in many, if not most, cases, people who live like that often find that others are peaceable towards them, and even sometimes kind. But what about those who give us trouble and hardship even when we've shown them kindness? How should we respond then? (vs 14-16)

We must still make the effort to respond with gentleness. We mustn't trade insult for insult. Peter says when we respond as Jesus called us to do (i.e turning the other cheek) God will reward us. He isn't talking about money, but surely about the sort of peace and joy that only God can give. This doesn't mean we can never try and reason with those who are doing us wrong. But even then we must do it with gentleness and in a respectful manner. Any suffering we experience while doing what is right is far better than suffering we might experience for retaliating in a wrong way.

Two important things to keep in mind. Firstly, if we keep Jesus Christ as Lord in our life, we need not fear the intimidation and threats of others. They may hurt our body – they cannot harm our soul. Secondly, the promise of Psalm 34 is that “The eyes of the Lord are towards the righteous and his ears towards their cry.” God sees whatever we may be going through, and He hears our prayers. When we live in a way that demonstrates to others the peace and joy that Jesus gives, God is close at hand. Only a prayer away.