It is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil. – 1 Peter 3:17
A woman admitted to a counselor that she became very aggravated when her husband essentially “pushed her hot buttons,” sometimes in fun and other times to cause her grief. Among other things, the counselor suggested that when he did that, she should bless him, and actually say, “Bless you, dear.” Do you think that was easy for her? And yet, think of the prime example in God’s Word.
Christ Jesus suffered all the years of His life on Earth because of people’s harsh words. His troubled soul, in agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, caused drops of blood to fall as sweat from His brow (Luke 22:44). He asked the disciples to pray with Him but they slept instead. In the end, He endured such a cruel death, but either He kept silent, or His words were still gentle and forgiving (Matthew 27:14). It was God’s will that He should suffer… for no cause of His own, but for the sins of all people.
The apostle Peter encourages people of faith when he says, “Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good” (1 Peter 4:19). If you suffer because you have done wrong, be ashamed. Neither suffering is pleasant, but as today’s verse states, “It is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will.” In that case, let your testimony before your enemies express your faithfulness to the God who is always faithful to you.
Be ready for suffering that might come because of your faith. Pray for those governing officials who believe to stand firmly in their faith. Focus wholly on the Lord who gives strength to His people.
Today’s Verse: 1 Peter 3:17
For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: 1 Peter 3:8-18
8 Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 9 Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. 10 For
“Whoever desires to love life
and see good days,
let him keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from speaking deceit;
11 let him turn away from evil and do good;
let him seek peace and pursue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
and his ears are open to their prayer.
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.
18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
