PASSIONATE PURSUIT...BE READY TO GIVE ANSWER

- In First Peter chapter three we are told how to love life and see good days. The spiritual condition of children of God makes it possible for them to have this kind of life. The days are good when we bridle our tongue and speak the truth. "If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain." (James 1:26) This loving life and seeing good days is representative of the life we would expect to live in our eternal state.
 
   Those that follow Christ are pursuing the course of happiness and security. If along this way you are called upon to suffer, then be a person that suffers for righteousness sake. To suffer for the cause of truth or a good conscience will always produce a positive result. "Christians have no reason to be afraid of the threats or rage of any of their enemies."
 
   In I Peter 3:10-15 we read of this life and good days. Let us observe:
 
   Do not repay evil, repeat evil or respect evil: Peter said, "He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit." (I Peter 3:10) Be careful with your tongue. Do not try to repay evil words  with evil words.  Do not  repeat evil.  "Refrain your tongue from evil." Do not respect evil by allowing yourself to participate in it.
 
   Refrain "your lips from speaking deceit." Those who would see good days must control their tongues. A tongue that is a controlled tongue is the key to a long and fruitful life. Good days will follow as we learn to bridle our tongue and to speak the truth in love.
 
   Treat sin like a deadly disease: We will avoid many troubles when we, as Christians, despise and loathe evil. We avoid sin not just because it is wrong, but because we hate it! Christians should treat sin as they would a deadly disease. Those that would love life and see good days must, "...turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it." (I Peter 3:11)
 
   The avoiding of evil and doing of good is the way to contentment and happiness both here and hereafter. David wrote, "Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it." (Psalms 34:14)
 
   Take hold of Jesus with both hands: Christians must let go of the world and take hold of Jesus with both hands. This is what it means to be righteous. Peter said, "the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil." (I Peter 3:12) Christians have been called to a righteous life. "For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps." (I Peter 2:21)
 
   Jesus did no evil. He did not repeat evil. He did not repay evil. He knew people would not get by with wrong because, "the face of the Lord is against those who do evil." "For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him..." (II Chronicles 16:9) God looks upon Christians with good will.  He allows them to approach Him with their petitions.
 
   Confronting foes with committed faith: The best and surest way to find happiness is to confront your foes with a committed faith. Peter said, "And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good?" (I Peter 3:13) "In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me." (Psalm 56:4) Much happiness is found when Christians: (1) Cherish friends, (2) Confront foes, and (3) Communicate faith.
 
   Our foes must be confronted with a patient and humble spirit. In order to find happiness Christians must be full of faith. A half-hearted faith will never be a fearless faith. True happiness is found only when one has a bulldog grip on what is good and right. “Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.” (John 15:20)
 
   Faith is demonstrated by a willingness to suffer: To suffer for righteousness' sake is an honor and true happiness for Christians. Peter said, "But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled." (I Peter 3:14) A willingness to suffer for the cause of Christ demonstrates the beauty of Jesus Himself.
 
   Suffering is not the natural outcome of righteousness. However, if suffering comes to the faithful child of God it means honor instead of disgrace, gain rather than loss. "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:10) Christians have no reason to fear any enemy because; "the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."
 
   Faith is defended by those that are ready to give an answer: Christians are challenged, changed and admonished to, "sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear." (I Peter 3:15) Those that sanctify Christ or set Him aside as Lord must be ready to answer for their faith. The answer must be reasonable. There must be a reason for the hope within you. The answer must also be respectful. It is to be given with meek­ness and fear.
 
   Could you give an answer for your faith? Could you explain in simple, scriptural terms how to be saved? I challenge, charge, admonish and encourage you to learn God's plan of salvation by memory. Could you explain in simple, scriptural terms why we partake of the Lord's Supper every Sunday and only on Sunday? Could you explain in simple, scriptural terms why we have singing but no mechanical instruments? Could you explain in simple, scriptural terms why we do not call the preacher "Reverend?" Could you explain in simple, scriptural terms why there are no miracles today? Could you explain in simple, scriptural terms the history of the New Testament church? Could you explain in simple, scriptural terms how the church should be organized? We are to sanctify the Lord God in our hearts and be ready always to give a defense of our inner hope with meekness and fear. We must be knowledgeable enough about our faith to discuss it openly in a skillful way. The defense of our faith must always be with meekness and fear.
 
   Are you a Christian? To become a Christian you must, hear the gospel of Christ (John 6:44-45), believe in Jesus (Acts 8:37), repent of sins (Luke 13:5), confess Christ as Lord (Romans 10:9-10), and be baptized to wash away your sins. (Acts 22:16) After your baptism into Christ be a follower of that which is good. Christ "gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." (Titus 2:14)

-OUR FRIENDS AT WALNUT STREET
​