Peter Exhorts the Persecuted Believers Volume 32

 Suffering for Jesus Part 2

1 Peter 3:9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. (KJV) Note: NKJV= New King James Version

In the previous verse, the Apostle Peter commanded those early Jewish converts/believers to our Lord Jesus Christ (who were scattered into various other parts of the world because of persecution) to love one another and have compassion for one another and to be of one mind. Now he continues on into informing/commanding them and we true believers today and of every era and generation of the things that we are not to do among one another as members or parts of the Mystical Body of our Lord Jesus Christ, as it is written, "Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing." (1 Peter 3:9)(KJV). It is a reality and fact that although those early Jewish believers and all we true believers are born again of incorruptible seed by the Word of God as the Apostle has already declared to them and to us in 1 Peter 1:23, yet we still have the corruptible seed of our 'old man 👨' and 'old woman👩' within us, thereby requiring us to consciously put to death the filthy deeds of our flesh/old nature, as it is written by the Apostle Paul with these words, "For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live." (Romans 8:13)(NKJV) and also these words, "Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry." (Colossians 3:5)(NKJV). It is not enough that we actively love 😍 one another, but we must also actively defend against the corruption of the old nature still remaining in us, for both must work jointly in order for us to treat one another as our Lord Jesus Christ desires to among us when we are with one another (this certainly goes for us in the real world 🗺, but now because of social media it is just as true with our Lord Jesus that we behave such toward one another in the virtual world as well) or do you think that Christ ignores the written evil words? I am constantly in prayer and repentance over responding inappropriately to a threat or attack against me from non-believers because that is what I have within my 'old nature', so all that I write here concerning the way we should behave with our brethren and sisteren 'in Christ', and those outside of Christ I am speaking to myself first and foremost, although I know that all of my sin rest on the Mercy Seat in Heaven covered by the Blood of Christ Jesus my Lord, it is always a cutting 'ramah', that is word from the Word for me when I read or hear these words spoken by our Lord Jesus Christ, "But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment." (Matthew 12:36)(NKJV). I have been guilty of speaking to many useless and idle words that will bring me great shame in the presence of my Lord Jesus Christ at the Bema Seat. The English word 'rendering' used by the Apostle Peter in verse 9 is translated by the Greek word apodidōmi, meaning to pay back or to deliver back and this is exactly what I have done to many times when provoked by the evil one😈and the human instruments under his control, company, and command. I pray for myself and for any other brothers and sisters in Christ struggling in this area that we would come all the way back to our first love 😍 whenever we leave His loving embrace and to continue abiding 'in Him' as He declares that we must do with these words, "You are already clean because of the Word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me." (John 15:3-4)(NKJV). When we are obedient to these words from our Lord Jesus Christ, then no vile filthy words or actions from the devil👿and his two-legged devils will cause us to react or respond with idle words that are of no profit to us spiritually nor to the two-legged devils spewing said vile filty words to us or at us. Let us listen carefully to the following Proverb and meditate upon it mulling it over and over in our minds, "Do not say, 'I will recompense evil'; Wait for the LORD, and He will save you." (Proverbs 20:22)(NKJV). Amen!!!

Here is what Dr. John Gill had to say of 1 Peter 3:9, "Not rendering evil for evil,.... Doing an ill thing in return to one that has done ill to you, and in a way of revenge for it; which is contrary to what is before advised to, and which is taking God's prerogative and work out of His hands, whose vengeance is, and which is to be overcome of evil: or railing for railing; returning ill language to such as have given it, but rather should imitate Christ, who, when He was reviled, reviled not again, 1 Peter 2:23 and whose advice is, instead of returning injuries, blows, or words, to turn to him that smites on the right check the other also and to bless them that curse, do good to them that hate, and pray for them that persecute, Matthew 5:39 and which is here directed to: but contrariwise blessing; praying for a blessing on them; for if we are to do so for our enemies, for them that hate us, despitefully use and persecute us, as did Christ, Stephen the protomartyr, and the Apostles, then much more our fellow Christians who may do us an injury or speak evil of us, or to us: who seem to be chiefly intended: the argument to persuade to it follows, knowing that ye are thereunto called; referring either to what goes before being called by grace to the discharge of all the above duties exhorted to, and particularly to suffer patiently all injuries and affronts; and instead of making returns in the same way, to bless and pray for those that have hurt us, either by words or deeds; see 1 Peter 2:20 or to what follows, that ye should inherit a blessing; temporal blessing or blessings; for godliness has the promise of this life and godly persons shall not want any good thing; and even while the blessings of others are cursed they have their outward mercies with a blessing, and they are blessings indeed to them; wherefore, the little they may have is better than the large affluence of others: and also spiritual blessing, or blessings; such as peace of conscience, the pardon of all their sins a justifying righteousness adopting grace, all supplies of grace from Christ, His presence and communion with Him: and also an eternal one, even life for evermore; called so, because it springs from the free favour, good will, and blessing of God, and which its being an inheritance also shows; and because such that enjoy it are eternally and unspeakably happy." Here is what the Expositor's Bible Commentary had to say of 1 Peter 3:9, "It is manifest that if such harmony, kind feeling, attachment, affection, and humility flourished among believers, these virtues would put discord to the rout, and leave no occasion for rending the oneness of the Christian body. They would also be proof against evil from without, both in deed and speech, neither tempted to 'render evil for evil' in their actions nor 'reviling for reviling' in their words. They have a duty to the world, and cannot thus belie their Christian profession. They are called to adorn the doctrine of their Savior, and the Master’s Sermon has among its prominent precepts 'Bless them that curse you.' This is the spirit of St. Peter’s exhortation, 'But contrariwise blessing'; that is, Be ye of those who bless. For there is a law of recompense with God in good things as in evil; the blessers shall be blessed: 'For hereunto were ye called, that ye should inherit a blessing.' It is as though he urged them thus: Ye were aforetime enemies of God; but ye have been made partakers of His heavenly calling, (Hebrews 3:1) that ye may come to blessing. This should move you to bless your enemies. And more than this, the servant of God may receive no blessing from the world, may get curses for his blessing; but yet he knows where to flee for consolation. He can pray with the Psalmist, 'Let them curse, but bless Thou,' (Psalm 109:28) conscious that the Lord will stand at the right hand of the needy.'"

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.


Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…