READING: 1 Peter 2:4-5:11
The world has become (or perhaps it has always been since the inception of the church) a dangerous place for believers. Especially if we choose to stand for truth and righteousness when culture is running in a different direction, our obedience can be costly. Preach the message of the cross, and we risk putting a noose around our own necks in some parts of the world.
How then do we respond to a hostile world? Peter helped us answer that question with his words to the early church facing its own opposition. For too many of us, our natural response to hostility is to be hostile in turn, to repay evil for evil, to seek revenge until others hurt like we’ve been hurt. Peter, on the other hand, challenged believers to live in a contrary fashion by blessing those who insult them. That blessing means we are to “pray for our enemies, be kind to them in word and deed, and seek to promote their well-being”*–likely with particular focus on God’s bringing our enemies to repentance and salvation. We are to pray those opposed to us would become our brothers and sisters in Christ.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: Is there an “opponent” in your life for whom you need to pray today?
DAILY PRAYER: “God, help me not to repay evil with evil, but instead to pray Your blessing on those who are hostile to the gospel.”
TOMORROW’S READING: 1 Peter 5:12-14, 2 Peter 1:1-3:18
*Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953–2001). Exposition of the Epistles of Peter and the Epistle of Jude(Vol. 16, p. 128). Baker Book House.
