Daily Reading: 8-25-16
1 Peter 3:8-12 New Living Translation (NLT)
In God’s Kingdom, taking revenge or insulting another person is an unacceptable behavior. This is a very challenging expectation God has for His children, because it is our natural inclination to lash out and hurt people who hurt us. Being tenderhearted and humble when someone else has pushed you beyond your ability to maintain peace requires God’s strength. You cannot accomplish it alone.
All Christians are called to be peacemakers; sons and daughters of God who work toward peace. We work to bring people into a place of peace with God and one another. To work toward peace with others, we must bring problems out into the open and deal with them before those problems begin to dominate our thoughts and steer us toward negativity. Because when we allow negativity to take root, it isn’t long before our mouths are engaged in speaking evil.
1 Peter 3:8-12 All Christians
8 Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, 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 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.
11
Turn away from evil and do good.
Search for peace, and work to maintain it.
12
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.”
Prayer: Lord, put a watch over my mouth that I may not sin against you or my brothers and sisters. Help me to be of one mind by embracing my call as a peacemaker. May your eyes watch over me because I choose to do what is right. Hear my prayer, Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen.