That ye suffer for well doing

1 Peter {3:13} And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? {3:14} But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; {3:15} But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear



{3:16} Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.


They speak evil of you as of evildoers.


Here we have people following Christ, believing in Christ, witnessing for Christ refusing to give into the local conventions that would give them a smooth, easy life, being persecuted as evil doers.


We know what evil people do, don't we? We know those that purposefully hurt others in any way are evil, right? If you were to give a definition of an evil person what would it be? Would it include someone who follows the principle of Jesus? Seriously? Would it? It's impossible for someone who has the love of Jesus in their heart, someone who has given their life to Jesus fully and is walking in the light of His love to be truly evil. Yet it's true...you will be considered an evil doer. You won't be an evil doer but you will be accused of being so, accused falsely.


1 Peter
{3:17} For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.


Better to suffer for the will of God, for well doing, than for evil doing.


We need to remember this because people who are content to believe we won't suffer for our faith will be caught off guard. We need to be ready to give an answer to every man for the hope in us. An answer. We need to know why we have the hope. We have to be fully grounded in that hope.


May God Help us all to learn fully what the hope in us is so we may tell others. When we are suffering and being called evil we need to be ready.


By the grace of our Lord and Savior, now and forever.


Amen.