1 Peter: be the bigger person

Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil 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.”

Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behaviour in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits— to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolises baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him. 1 Peter 3:8-22

Repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called

Today we’re facing the challenge of another big ask from Peter. This response feels counter-culture and counter-intuitive. Why would anyone bless those who make their lives difficult (who persecute them)? Because that’s what Jesus told us to do and that’s what he himself did.

Repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called

Here’s a good start. Be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. If you work at these five aspects of right relationships, you will know that it is not you that has provoked a wrong reaction to you by your own attitude and behaviour. You have sought to live in harmony with others. You have not pushed others out of the way to get what you feel you deserve. You have taken the time to get to know others and understand more of their lives and what they are going through.

Repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called

But even if you have succeeded in being all of the above, there may be some people who have it in for you. Maybe simply because you are a good person and they can’t handle that! Maybe they’re trying to trip you up. Maybe they’re trying to provoke a response. Whatever the reason, how you respond is key. It’s all about being the bigger person.

Retaliation is not an option – either in action or words. Either to their face or behind their back. How hard is that, when we are hurt and smarting and feel humiliated, not to lash out and seek revenge in some way?

Repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called

Remember what Jesus said? Love those who persecute you. Anyone can love their friends. Anyone can love people who are nice to them. We are called to go a whole lot further than that. To repay evil with blessing. Be extra kind and loving towards those who treat you badly. (and I’m not suggesting here that anyone should stay in an abusive relationship and continue to be mistreated and abused by the same person. Boundaries are important in protecting us from harm. That’s a much bigger issue than I’m discussing here. But boundaries can be put in place without revenge and retaliation.)

Repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called

There is another reason for acting from a place of love. Life will be better for us if we do. God is watching. God knows our actions and words and attitudes. He will lead us into life in all its fullness if we seek out good and right attitudes and right relationships. We will be living as he intended humans to live and that is a life of blessing.

Repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called

Fear plays a part here. It’s natural to want to avoid getting hurt. And so we brace ourselves, close off our hearts, distance ourselves – which can then in itself provoke a more hostile reaction. Peter’s advice is to look to Christ: to revere him, trust him, focus on him – and as we do so, we may find that the fear will diminish and the love increase.

Repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called

As people of faith, we are called to be ready to give an answer about our faith to anyone who asks and to do this with gentleness and respect. We are not to provoke a hostile reaction by the way in which we talk about our faith (although occasionally, we may get a hostile reaction however gentle and sensitive we are!) Christians have developed such a bad reputation for their seemingly insensitive, superior attitude (because let’s face it, sometimes Christians are downright rude and lacking compassion in the way they shove their beliefs down people’s throats!) and it is right that we bear this in mind when are called upon to share about our faith.

Repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called

We are not guaranteed a life of comfort and life is not to be about protecting our comfort by camping out in our comfort zone. We will have to face evil as we follow Jesus, just as he did. We look to him as the role model of how to repay evil with blessing.

Repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called

Ultimately, nothing can separate us from the love of God. That’s the glorious reality Jesus demonstrated so clearly in his death and resurrection. Jesus is alive. Death could not hold him. He’s there watching out for us. He’s got our backs. He is above all things, all authorities, all earthly systems and kingdoms. When we face evil, we come from a position of confidence rather than fear, for the God of the universe is on the side of good. And so we can repay evil with blessing.

It is to this we have been called.