Even If
January 25|The Questionable Life Series
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January 25|The Questionable Life Series
But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” 1 Peter 3:14
Read: 1 Peter 3:13-14
Listen: 1 Peter 3
Peter tells the recipients of his letter that if they are eager to do good, it’s likely people won’t get mad at them. But Peter also knows that isn’t going to happen every time. He’s a realist. He tells them that even if they end up suffering, they don’t have to fear the people. It’s a dose of realism coupled with a side of encouragement. Peter tells them it will be ok even if they do the right thing and it backfires on them. It doesn’t mean they won’t suffer. They might even die, but they are still ok. It’s also a call to trust.
Sometimes our best efforts to live for Christ will blow up in our faces. Our attempts to do good for others don’t always work out. There’s still sin in our lives and the lives of others. The world is a broken place. We’ve all probably experienced this at one time or another. We try to help someone, and they lash out. We try to do the right thing, and we end up ostracized. We stand up for someone, and suddenly the nasty gossip going around is about us. It’s in these moments that Peter’s encouragement to not fear those around us matters most. We can be confident it will be ok no matter what happens. It might not turn out how we want, but it will be ok. We can trust God.
This month, we’re focusing on the spiritual discipline of Bible reading. Today’s focus is a great opportunity to read or listen to the entire book of 1 Peter. Notice what themes pop up over and over. Keep in mind the situation of Peter’s original audience and how that is similar or different to our situation. Note where else Peter encourages them in the midst of their difficult situation.
Join us all of 2023 developing a different spiritual practice each month. SPIRITUAL PRACTICES are intentional regular activities to deepen our relationship with God and mold us to be more like Jesus.
January is BIBLE READING. Keep track of our spiritual practices at beyondtheweekend.org/spiritualpractices.