Loving to the Fullest

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Scripture:
1 Peter 3:13–18 (NRSV)
13 Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? 14 But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, 15 but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; 16 yet do it with gentleness and reverence. Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God’s will, than to suffer for doing evil. 18 For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit,

Meditation:
            Peter in today’s scripture encourages us to do well to others no matter what. Remembering the Jesus Christ laid down his very life on a cross in order to bring us sinners to God, so we should be willing to go all the way for him. Peter encourages us not to be intimidated by the world. The world will always try to make Christians afraid of punishment for doing the good thing, the loving thing. We must only follow Christ’s example of suffering to obtain a victory over suffering.
            Peter also encourages us to be ready to make a defense of the faith that we have in Jesus. Too many Christians today think this means that we have to strike out against our accusers. These Christians are saying bitter and hurtful things that cause the way of Jesus to come under attack. The scripture says we are to defend our faith with gentleness and reverence. Those who oppose us are children of God just as we are. We have no right to insult our neighbors who are also made in the image of God. Humility demands no less than allowing all God’s children their views even if we know they are in direct conflict with the scriptures.

            Our good conduct in the face of opposition will honor God and the bad conduct of those who oppose us will bring them shame if not immediately then when Christ comes into his kingdom. If we love our enemies we will be called friends of God, and we will have our share of the heavenly reward. We are under God’s command to love. We must follow that command no matter what. These things are no doubt difficult to do. But they must be done. The Christian life is not full of uncertainties as some would say. It consists of love for all people, visiting the sick, widows and orphans in their distress. And above all we must be fixing our eyes and prayers on Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith. Let us be found faithful to that task every day. Amen

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