A Visible Difference

Scripture – 1 Peter 3:7-12: Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers. Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

Observation – A natural human response is to fight back – to “get even” when someone does something against us. One of the defining characteristics of Christian behavior is the refusal to do that. That really sets us apart visibly in the world today. In Christ, I continue to learn and trust His word – paying back “evil with evil or insult with insult” is not how I’m called to be. This is one of the hardest aspects of Christ-likeness for me. For I have learned over the years how to insult people and inflict pain on them in very subtle ways – so they will come away from a conversation hurting, but not sure how that happened. For the most part, I’ve learned to submit that ability to the will of Christ. I have let Him remove nearly all of it.

Application – I will be very careful today to speak and act in ways that demonstrate love and respect for people. I will consciously repay any evil or insult with blessing today, “because to this you were called.”

Prayer – Lord, please take control of my heart and attitude at a deeper level today. Help me see people through your eyes and treat them as you did. And let this become more and more part of who I authentically am.