When Spoken Against!

Peter asked a question we might wonder about even today?
“(13) Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good?” ( 1 Peter 3:13 ESV)

Unfortunately, even when we do good, good is not always given in return.
And when things don’t work out the way we feel they ought, it is sometimes easy to wonder if striving to live righteously in an unrighteous world is worth it. Even the psalmist Asaph entertained such a thought ( Psalm 73:13), but fortunately came back to a proper view. (note Psalm 73:16-17) [I encourage you to read the entire chapter for the full context of Asaph’s flow of thought.]

Someone has stated, “Slander, like coffee, is usually handed to you without grounds.” [source: “1600 Squibs And Quips”, compiled by E. C.
McKenzie]

We ought to keep this in mind when people come bearing tales about others. And Solomon cautioned against associating with a slanderer.
( Proverbs 20:19) But even when the slander is directed at us personally, it may still be groundless.

Peter went on to exhort…
“(14) But EVEN IF YOU SHOULD SUFFER FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS’ SAKE, YOU WILL BE BLESSED. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, (15) but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you;
(16) yet do it with gentleness and respect, HAVING A GOOD CONSCIENCE, SO THAT, WHEN YOU ARE SLANDERED, THOSE WHO REVILE YOUR GOOD BEHAVIOR IN CHRIST MAY BE PUT TO SHAME. (17) For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.” ( 1 Peter 3:14-17 ESV)

We may not always be treated as we ought. Even the good we do may be ill spoken of. Jesus, Who committed no sin, was spoken against. What did He do?
He entrusted Himself to the one Who judges justly. ( 1 Peter 2:23)

So what shall we do? HANG IN THERE!! Keep doing what is right! REMAIN FAITHFUL to the God who Himself can be nothing but faithful. (2 Timothy
2:13) Let us entrust our lives into the hands of God. Ultimately it will be worth it all!

Have a great day PERSEVERING IN WHAT IS RIGHT!
Carl

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