1 Peter 3:9-12

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Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing. For the Scriptures say, ‘If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil.'”

Psalm 34 shows us how different it is to be a child of God. Peter quotes the psalm here and reminds us that God’s ways give us a better life. “Get ahead by being honest!” said no American commercial ever. This message is counter-cultural. Turn from evil. Do good. God’s blessings will pour back on you when you pour them out to other people. In God’s kingdom, the more you spend, the more you have.

Peter says, “Search for peace, and work to maintain it.” That’s how hard peace is to keep around here. According to the New York Times, over the past 3,400 years of recorded human history, only 268 of them have been without some kind of war going on. No wonder we have to search for peace. We are looking high and low for something very missing in our world. And once we find it, be ready to work to keep it. The spiritual powers of darkness will not give up easily.

Here’s your freedom for today: God is on the side of peace. He opposes evil. He gives a long, happy life to those who turn away from evil. In Matthew 5:9 Jesus says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” If you are a child of God, then search for peace. Make peace where you cannot find it. Do the right thing — God sees your heart. He’s listening to your prayers for peace. He’s on your side when you fight evil. Don’t give up.