October 19
“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 for the 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,” 1 Peter 3:13-16.
Our Lord has told us that, as Christians, we will have to endure hatred, anger, and abuse at the hands of ungodly people. Jesus said, “You will be hated by all for My name’s sake,” Matthew 10:22. The people who hate and reject Jesus as God’s Son and the Savior of the world will also hate and reject His followers.
One would hope that it would not be that way. Peter asks, “Who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good?” Peter’s question agrees with what is written in the Book of Proverbs: “When a man’s ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him,” Proverbs 16:7. One would think that common sense would keep people from persecuting Christians. But that is not always necessarily the case.
However, Peter adds, “Even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed.” In the end, remember that Scripture says, “We know that all things work together for good to those who love God,” Romans 8:28. The blessing of God rests upon us.
To comfort us, Peter quotes what was written by the prophet Isaiah: “Do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled,” Isaiah 8:12. We should not let the enemies of Christianity intimidate us by trying to persuade us that we had better keep quiet or else! Remember, God is on our side! Momentarily, it may not seem so, but we have His promise: “‘For a mere moment I have forsaken you, but with great mercies I will gather you. With a little wrath I hid My face from you for a moment; but with everlasting kindness I will have mercy on you,’ says the Lord, your Redeemer,” Isaiah 54:7-8.
Have no fear! Lose no sleep worrying about what might happen to you. God knows His children, and He watches over them. Again, the Lord speaks through the prophet Isaiah, “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine,” Isaiah 43:1.
With faith in your Lord and Savior Jesus, who suffered and died on the cross to redeem you and rose from the grave to conquer death and the devil, you can say triumphantly with the apostle Paul, “I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord,” Romans 8:38-39.
With our Christian faith and conviction, we should at all times be ready to tell anyone and everyone that we believe in Jesus Christ, God’s Son and our Savior. “Always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.”
“Fight the good fight with all thy might;
Christ is thy Strength and Christ thy Right.
Lay hold on life, and it shall be
Thy joy and crown eternally.
Run the straight race thro’ God’s good grace;
Lift up thine eyes and seek His face.
Life with its way before us lies;
Christ is the Path and Christ the Prize.” Amen.