Evidence Of Your Faith
The ruling came down from the judge that DA Fani Willis wouldn’t be disqualified from prosecuting the cases of those charged with conspiring to overturn the 2020 Presidential election in Georgia. The end result is that the evidence did not support the claim brought against the DA. Evidence is important in trials in America. Without it, the prosecution can’t be successful in their claim against a defendant. In that vein… If you were on trial and accused being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you? The apostle Peter urged Christians to have the mind of Christ in our actions towards others, even when they are doing evil against us. The result is that God will hear our prayers, we will be blessed and it will add evidence to our witness to others. I pray that you will have the mind of Christ in your actions toward others, even those who come against you and mean evil against you. Amen
Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. (1 Peter 3:8-9) The apostle Peter urged Christians to be of the same mind as Christ. Characteristics of a Christ-like mind include sympathy, love compassion and humility towards one another. A Christ-like mind also seeks to avoid perpetuating evil and insults back and forth, but instead seeks to break the cycle of evil by being a blessing. Note that Peter says that being a blessing to those who are evil towards you, results in you receiving a blessing. In other words, even if you don’t want to be a blessing to the other person, do it because it will bless you.
For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” (1 Peter 3:10-12) Here Peter quoted Psalm 34:12-16 to support his point. Guarding your speech to avoid speaking evil, deceitful or hateful things about others, and turning from evil to seek peace and pursue making peace is pleasing to God. God hears the prayers of the righteous but turns His face against those who do evil. When all of your fleshly urges are to repay evil with evil, realize that such behavior will only block your blessings from God.
Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. (1 Peter 3:13-17) The apostle Peter ended by encouraging Christians, that even if they suffer for acting in a Christ-like way toward those who do them evil, they will be blessed. Christians don’t have to fear suffering for acting this way in the face of evil, for their hope is in Christ. And when people inevitably question you, be prepared to tell them about Christ. Your approach shouldn’t be to beat people down with the gospel, but to speak to them in gentleness, respect and a clear conscience (that we have lived what we preach). Then those who are malicious toward you will have their eyes opened and be ashamed of their actions. Peter concluded by saying that even if it is God’s will that we encounter suffering, it is better for us to do good.
How should a Christian act in the face of someone doing evil against them? They should repay evil with good. Why? Because that is what we are called to in Christ. He died on a cross that He was placed on by the evil in this world. He told us that we must pick up our cross daily and follow Him. We will be mistreated, lied on, insulted and more. But how we respond reflects whether or not Christ is in us. As Christians we are called by Christ to respond in love, compassion, sympathy, humility and seek peace instead of continuation and escalation of evil. That’s what it means to take up our cross and follow Him. And we do so in faith that God will be pleased, will hear our prayers because we acted in righteousness, and He will bless us. The choice is ours, act in faith or succumb to evil. Acting Christ-like in the face of evil is the best evidence of our faith that we can offer.
Blessings, Rev. Glenn
