Let’s Live It Up—for God—Today!
- Are we good to those who are good to us?
- Do we return bad for bad to those who treat us wrong?
Well, if we do, then this means we belong to the human race because this is exactly how human beings treat one another. It’s a natural outcome, like breathing, taking in air and expelling air.
Will you and I be totally bummed if we read how we are to be different & peculiar in our actions?
&
Will we be surprised if we read that because we are constantly being sanctified by God, so we are to react to others differently? Because we are to be God’s instrument—for His purpose & will.
Simon Peter wrote with a certain theme throughout his letters: God loves us. It’s so wonderful to read and be reminded of this overwhelming TRUTH. This disciple of Jesus also wrote to remind us how we are to live among and with others. Peter reminds us: We are to love others.
- We are to love those who love us. &
- We are to love those who hate us.
“To sum up [finally],
(The 1st Letter of Peter 3: 8-9 NASB)
all of you [speaking to the Redeemed in Jesus]
be harmonious, [love as God’s people]
sympathetic, [be sincere in your love & not hard-hearted]
brotherly, [as brothers & sisters-in-Christ]
kindhearted, [courteous toward others]
and humble in spirit; [putting others’ needs before your needs]
not returning evil for evil [loving your enemies, too]
or insult for insult, [Satan desires this]
but giving a blessing instead; [God’s love]
for you were called [Jesus calls all to salvation]
for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.”
Jesus Christ was perfectly clear when He spoke to His followers and to the crowd of believers that followed Him. While teaching, Jesus saw the crowd of people surrounding Him in Galilee, and He spoke about the kingdom of God. Large crowds followed Him to hear His message of HOPE. Jesus said—
“Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
(The Gospel of Matthew 5: 10-12 NASB)
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you,
and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.
Rejoice and be glad,
for your reward in heaven is great;
for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
- Do we love God more than what He provides for us?
- Do we seek God more than the blessings He promises?
- Do we depend upon God more than we fret and worry?
- Can we rest in peace and lay down to sleep, even when we are persecuted because of our faith in God?
Know, child of God—THE FATHER IS IN CONTROL!
Recall, children—HIS PROMISES ARE TOTALLY TRUE!
Remember, followers—PERSECUTION & TIME ON EARTH ARE BRIEF!
Rejoice, the redeemed ones, “for your reward in heaven is great; . . .”
Jesus tells us so!
The kingdom of heaven is ours to claim and to proclaim to anyone who will listen because Jesus calls each person alive to His Saving Grace!
- So, let’s turn away from evil & not indulge in gossip or messy living.
- Let’s not return harm for harm but instead pursue peace with all mankind.
- The Lord is watching us & hearing our prayers.
- The Savior intercedes for us & Our Heavenly Father collects all the tears we shed.
- Let us never forget, how we are temporarily here, sojourners, not citizens of earth but citizens of heaven.
Therefore, children of the KING of kings, let us Live It Up—for God—Today!
“for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.”
(The 1st Letter of Peter 3: 9b NASB)