Always be prepared to give an answer when asked to explain the hope that you have. Even if you should suffer for doing or saying what is right, you are blessed. If it is God’s will, a harvest of righteousness and peace is your reward for not becoming weary of what is right. Evil will try to undo good works, but boldly facing evil strengthens what is good. Do not surrender, and be strengthened by your faith. Accept what comes.
All the people were trying to touch Jesus, because power was coming from him and healing them all. Jesus looked at his followers and said, You people who are poor are happy, because the kingdom of God belongs to you. You people who are now hungry are happy, because you will be satisfied. You people who are now crying are happy, because you will laugh with joy. People will hate you, shut you out, insult you, and say you are evil because you follow the Son of Man. But when they do, you will be happy. Luke 6:17-22
We must not become tired of doing good. We will receive our harvest of eternal life at the right time if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9
So hold on through your sufferings, because they are like a father’s discipline. God is treating you as children. All children are disciplined by their fathers. If you are never disciplined (and every child must be disciplined), you are not true children. We have all had fathers here on earth who disciplined us, and we respected them. So it is even more important that we accept discipline from the Father of our spirits so we will have life. Our fathers on earth disciplined us for a short time in the way they thought was best. But God disciplines us to help us, so we can become holy as he is. We do not enjoy being disciplined. It is painful, but later, after we have learned from it, we have peace, because we start living in the right way. Hebrews 12:7-11
A person might have to suffer even when it is unfair, but if he thinks of God and stands the pain, God is pleased. 1 Peter 2:19
If you are trying hard to do good, no one can really hurt you. But even if you suffer for doing right, you are blessed. Don’t be afraid of what they fear; do not dread those things. But respect Christ as the holy Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to answer everyone who asks you to explain about the hope you have, but answer in a gentle way and with respect. Keep a clear conscience so that those who speak evil of your good life in Christ will be made ashamed. It is better to suffer for doing good than for doing wrong if that is what God wants. 1 Peter 3:13-17
Lead Serve Love: 100 Three-Word Ways to Live Like Jesus can be purchased for Kindle here.
Want to read more of Gregory E. Lang’s devotions? Dive into Letters to a Friend: Simple Lessons in Christian Living, here.
