SCRIPTURE: 1 Peter 3:13-16 NLT Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way.
THOUGHT: Peter contrasts being afraid with the antidote of worship. Isn’t that an interesting juxtaposition? We can either worship fear, or worship Christ as Lord of our lives; Christ, who faced trickery, challenge, ridicule and even death without fear and offers us that same spirit (2 Tim. 1:7). Worship of God was the core of his being and the secret of his strength.
The writer of today’s scripture, Peter, learned from watching Jesus up close and personal, and we know he matured from a spiritual coward who wouldn’t even claim Jesus as his friend (think “afraid of their threats”) to the strong, successful leader of the early church – a worshiper who died because he wouldn’t stop talking about what he had seen and knew to be true.
Peter taught that, inevitably, people would be curious about the Christ-follower who showed gentleness and respect rather than fear. How I long for that to characterize my speech and life, what about you? Worship, gentleness, and respect. A real-life-giving trio.
PRAYER: You have set before us choices, oh God. Every hour, every day, we either choose to worship (give worth to) our fears or you. May my worship, gentleness and respect make others curious about you and the difference you make.
Amy released a full-length book in early 2021, Walking When You’d Rather Fly: Meditations on Faith After the Fall. Maybe you’d like to check it out here.
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