“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:11)
“Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 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; 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. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.” (1 Peter 3:13-17)
We are now entering the final week of our Lenten journey. We have been looking at the cross through the lens of the beatitudes which Jesus gave us in the Sermon on the Mount. He has described to us the characteristics of a faithful disciple the blessing that follows it. We have recognized them in the life and death of Jesus on the cross as well.
All of these “attitudes” are not only for our personal benefit and character development, but also as a witness to God’s mercy and grace to others. In other words, to be blessed is to be a testimony of the transforming power of Jesus Christ. Our lives should be a proclamation of God’s love to those around us…friends and enemies…just as the cross was God’s demonstration of His love to us “while we were yet sinners” (Romans 5:8). Jesus said, “If I be lifted up, I will draw all people to myself” (John 12:32). The cross of Christ makes possible our salvation and our participation in His redemptive plan. Our part is to live out these “attitudes”.
In the verses above, Peter says that people will notice and we need to be prepared to share with them the reason for our behavior. Even our response to persecution can be a powerful witness for the Lord if we do it with “gentleness and respect”.
Two things for today…we are called not only to live a blessed life but we are urged to give a verbal testimony of why we do it. Jesus said, “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16). We must let people know that the goodness that they see in us is due to the grace of Jesus. Second, we should proclaim it with gentleness and respect not in judgement or self righteousness…”speaking the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15).
Let your light shine today! Proclaim the love of God in your life, your attitudes and…your words!