Bless

 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.

1 Peter 3:9 (NIV)

Our gut reaction when someone speaks evil of us, is to speak evil of them. Naturally, when someone insults us, we want to insult them back. The Apostle Peter commands us not to do so.

If we repay evil for evil and insult with insult, we're no different than a pagan. If we want to follow Jesus, we have to live differently. He repaid evil with good, and insult with forgiveness; so should we.

Peter commands us to repay evil with blessing. To do so seems counterintuitive. Thankfully, he gives us reason to do so.

If we repay evil with blessing, God will bless us. We deserve to inherit nothing but condemnation for Him. Yet we can be blessed with eternal life through faith in Him.

'Father God, we trust in Christ crucified for evil, insulting people like us. May we become blessings to Yourself and others. For the honour of Your name, amen'.

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