Lent, Day 6: BEING COMMUNITY IN THE MESSY MIDDLE

Scripture:  I Peter 3:8-18

Focus on the Word

As we seek God in the season of lent here is a question to consider in response to I Peter 3:18.  How do we live in light of a Christ, of whom it is said,

Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He 

never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you 

safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but 

he was raised to life in the Spirit. (NLT)

The apostle Peter offers counsel on the question in I Peter 3:8, 9, 11, (NLT).  He lays it out so beautifully that we have no doubts as to the way we are to be in the world.

• All of you should be of one mind. 
• Sympathize with each other. 
• Love each other as brothers and sisters. 
• Be tenderhearted.  
• Keep a humble attitude. 
• Don’t repay evil for evil. 
• Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. 
• 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.

In Verse 9 the word is given that this way of living is what God has called us to do, and that He calls us to this way so that He can grant us His blessing. 

As followers of Jesus we are called to “set apart Christ as Lord in [our] hearts,” and to always be “ready to make a defense to everyone who asks [us] to give an account for the hope that is in [us], yet with gentleness and reverence” (Peter 3:15, NASB).

How we are received in the world is not our issue.  Faithfulness to our God is our issue.  Jesus is Lord and He is enough.  If the world doesn’t get us, so be it.  If the world gets us and comes to Christ, so be it.  Ours is not outcomes.  Ours is Jesus.

Today’s Prayer

O God Almighty, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Your 

only begotten Son, give me a body unstained, a pure

heart, a watchful mind, and an upright understanding, 

and the presence of Your Holy Spirit, that I may obtain

and ever hold fast to an unshaken faith in Your Truth, 

through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord; through

whom be glory to You in the Holy Spirit, forever and

ever.  AMEN.    

- The Clementine Liturgy (3rd and 4th century)