We are encouraged in Scripture to do good. We are charged by Christ to love in the face of hate and to repay evil with good. Here in 1 Peter we are told to “revere Christ as Lord” in our heart. What does it mean to revere Christ as Lord and what does it have to do with our
eagerness to do good?
After encouraging Christians to do good, this letter addresses the reality that, as strange as it sounds, some will suffer for doing good. We are not to let the suffering get the best of us but are to set Christ apart as Lord in our hearts. When Christ is Lord in our hearts he is at the
center of our lives. With our priorities straight we are willing to suffer for good knowing that Christ suffered on the cross for the good of all humanity. As it says, “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.”
In Psalm 56, we read:
“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
In God, whose word I praise—
in God I trust and am not afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?”
I challenge us to be vigilant and look for opportunities to do good and love others. There are times in this life when we will suffer for doing good, but take heart
because God is with us. Set Christ apart as Lord in your heart and be ready to give an answer for the hope that you have in Him. You are blessed when you suffer. Don’t let fear stop us from sharing the love and truth of Jesus!