1 Peter 3:15–17 (ESV) — 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy,
always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for
the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who
revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s
will, than for doing evil.
NOTE: Over and over
again, Peter has emphasized our behavior to unbelievers and to one another. We
will be misunderstood at times, but the key is how we respond because that is
what shows our witness even stronger. It is not about being right or winning the
argument; it is about doing right and winning the person. It is okay to
suffer and be mistreated--that will happen to a child of God. It certainly will
happen when we disobey laws of our country, but it can happen for no good
reason. These are opportunities to be gracious. We have Christ in us. We have
the power to choose a different course. We are no longer slaves to our sinful
self. We have a choice, and that is the strength of our witness to others.
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