Word for the Week Aug. 18-25
By: Evang. Cascille Hammack
"Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing,
because of this you were called that you may inherit a blessing." 1 Peter 3:9
Obeying God even when it
means ridicule and rejection strengthens you spiritually. It is not easy to respond to the suffering inflicted upon
us through the insults of others by blessing them, but it is what the Word commands us to do. In doing it, the Word
declares you will receive a blessing. It also says it is because of this you were called. That is paramount.
The practicality of living out this Word means you do not take offense at those who have offended you, but you bless them.
This is opposite of the way the world behaves. It is a true test of your obedience to God's Word when you are offended
by someone and bless them instead of retaliating.
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Peter 3:18-21 explains suffering for doing good, "For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous,
to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit, through whom also he went and preached
to the spirits in prison who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built.
In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also-
not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection
of Jesus Christ." The Lord judges the thoughts and intentions
of each persons heart. What is important is your conscience toward God. How can your conscience stay washed and
pure before God if you hold onto an offense? Jesus was greatly offended, to the point of death, by those he loved and tried
only to help. It hurts most when those we are reaching out to wound us. But God has instructed us on how to handle
this. We are to bless them.
In Luke 6:32-36, Jesus said, "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you?
Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you?
Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even
sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without
expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because He is
kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful."
Practice this this week. Surrender to the Lord those who have offended you. Bless them
and pray for them. God will bless you and your conscience will be pure before God. His blessings are eternal.
