20/12/2020
Lord, empower me to serve You joyfully and fearlessly by reaching out to the lost and calling them to faith and repentanceš„šŖ
1 Peter 3:13 - 3:22
13. Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?
14. But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened."
15. But in your hearts set apart 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,
16. keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
17. For it is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
18. For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit,
19. After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits-
20. 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,
21. and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also--not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
22. who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand--with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.
Reflection
Present Christ (3:13ā17)
How did Christians in Peterās day share the gospel? They certainly did not have access to the gospel tracts and animated videos that we have today. For them, the gospel was simply the life of Jesus, His death, and His resurrection. When Peter says to āgive the reason for the hope that you have,ā he is not asking us to go get a degree in theology. It is a much simpler call to share the joy of what Christ has done for us.