Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
… because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
Summary: Peter gives us an important lesson in why God has called us. He wants us to stop responding to hurts and insults with more hurts and insults. Instead, he wants us to respond with a blessing, just as he has blessed us.
Continue reading “1 Peter 3:9 (b) — The Godly Response to Evil”
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing…
Summary: What is evil? Anything you don’t like might qualify. Peter tells us to respond to things we don’t like with a blessing.
Continue reading “1 Peter 3:9 (a) — Essence of Evil”
… and [be] humble.
Summary: Peter tells us to be humble. Paul tells us that humility is putting the interests of others first.
Continue reading “1 Peter 3:8 (e) — The Humble Centurion”
… be compassionate …
Summary: Compassion flows from a tender heart. It is a desire to help coupled with wisdom to know when and how to help.
Continue reading “1 Peter 3:8 (d) — The Hammer”
… love one another …
Summary: Peter tells us to love one another using a rare word that means ‘brotherly love.’ This kind of love is not caught up in arguments but is the oil on the water that calms arguments. It allows brothers and sisters in the same family to get along.
Continue reading “1 Peter 3:8 (c) — Oil on the Water”
…be sympathetic …
Summary: To be sympathetic is to resonate with another person’s heart. Being sympathetic is an important component of love. Being sympathetic is essential in the Body of Christ.
Continue reading “1 Peter 3:8 (b) — The Eyes of the Heart”
Finally, all of you, be like-minded …
Summary: The ideal church holds that the Bible is the Word of God. The members are people who live in submission to God’s will and service to others. There is an openness to feedback from the church body that helps each member become more Christlike.
Continue reading “1 Peter 3:8 (a) — The Ideal Church”
… so that nothing will hinder your prayers.
Summary: The choices we make affects our relationship with God. Choosing to follow Peter’s guidance opens the door to a better relationship with God.
Continue reading “1 Peter 3:7 (e) — The Reason Why”
… and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life …
Peter has packed a lot of instruction into this one passage we have been studying. He began by telling husbands to be considerate of their wives. Then he adds, “treat them with respect.” Before we, his readers, can even begin to form the question, “Why?” in our minds, Peter offers the answer. Because your wife is your partner, and because she is physically weaker, you must take extra care to show that you respect her. Oh yes, Peter adds, there is one other reason. Because she is an heir with you of the gift of life.
Continue reading “1 Peter 3:7 (d) — The Gift”
…as the weaker partner…
What was life like two thousand years ago? Was it much different than life was two hundred years ago? How is it different today?
Life in our world is defined by our electronic servants. “Alexa, turn up the thermostat.” “Alexa, play some music.” We can push a button and order everything from dinner to a new car and have it delivered to our home. If we need heavy lifting done, we can hire a contractor or use a power tool. The need for physical strength is less important than it has been in the past.
Continue reading “1 Peter 3:7 (c) — A Little Psychology”