PROCLAMATION
“Finally,
all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate
and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On
the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that
you may inherit a blessing.” 2 Peter 3:8-9 (NIV)
EXPLANATION
These words
were written by the apostle Peter, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of
God, to the believers who scattered after the crucifixion of Christ. (1 Peter
1:1-2) Peter began this third chapter with instructions on how husbands
and wives should treat one another. (1 Peter 3:1-7) Then he tells them
not to repay evil with evil, but to repay evil with a blessing because that is
how they will inherit a blessing for themselves. He goes on to quote King
David from Psalm 34 (Psalm 34:12-16) telling them to avoid evil speech, to do
that which is good, and to seek peace because the eyes of The Lord God are upon
them. (1 Peter 3:10-12) He ends the chapter by telling them to do what is
good and to revere the name of The Lord. For if they suffer for doing
that which is right and good, they will be blessed. (1 Peter 3:13-17) He
reminds them that Christ suffered. (1 Peter 3:18-22)
APPLICATION
Once again,
we are told in The Word of God that as believers, we are not to repay evil for
evil. (Romans 12:17, 1 Thessalonians 5:15, and 1 Peter 3:9) The Lord God
has said that vengeance belongs to Him and He will repay those who do us wrong.
(Romans 12:19) We are to repay evil that
is done to us with a blessing. (1 Peter 3:9) We are to always exercise
good Christian conversation and behavior, regardless of that which is shown to
us. If we really want to live life to the fullest and enjoy it, then we
need to live in such a way as to do no harm to others but to do them good. (1
Peter 3:10-11) Know that the eyes of The Lord God are always watching us.
(Psalm 34:15 and 1 Peter 3:12) It is to
Him that we must give an account for our thoughts, words, and deeds. (Proverbs
23:7, Matthew 5:28, Matthew 12:36, and Revelation 20:12)
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