Student Devotion Session 5: Do Good To Others

Key Verses: 1 Peter 3:8-16, "⁸ Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. ⁹ 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. ¹⁰ For, "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. ¹¹ They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. ¹² 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.” 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 their threats; do not be frightened.” ¹⁵But 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, ¹⁶ keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander."

Imagine what would happen if you picked up your iPod, pressed play, and ketchup came out, or consider what your response would be if when you pressed down your car's gas pedal, it turned on the TV in your house. Want another one? OK, how would you react if you turned on the faucet to pour a glass of water and dog food came out? If any of these ridiculous situations actually happened, you would be totally shocked, amazed, and possibly frightened. Why? Simple: it's all about expectations.

You'd be shocked if you turned on your iPod and ketchup came out because you wouldn't expect it, the nature of an iPod is such that you have come to expect certain things. Because an iPod's essential nature is that of an mp3 player, it is only natural that when you press play, you hear music. You expect this because you know it is the nature of an iPod.

Read 1 Peter 3:8-16. First Peter is actually a letter Peter wrote to Christians in several specific regions of the Roman Empire. These Christians were experiencing significant persecution because they claimed to follow Christ and only Christ. Peter wrote this letter to encourage and instruct them in their time of persecution. In verse 8, Peter made a statement that sums up the overall meaning of this passage. He said, "Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble." The rest of the passage more or less supports this command from Peter: Live a good life. Do the right thing.

If you are a follower of Christ, you are called to live a life that separates you from the world around you. You must strive to get along with others, show sympathy for their circumstances and challenges, love them, care about their problems, and show them patience and kindness. Why? Because Christ lives in you. All of these actions serve to testify to the world why you are different. Your actions point to God.

Just like the essential nature of an iPod is to play music, your essential nature as a Christ-follower is to demonstrate Christ's love for the world through your right living.

Christ expects if from you. Isn't it time you showed the world the difference He has made in your life?