Our church is an independent, non-denominational congregation focused on equipping believers to accomplish all God has for each individual. We emphasize growing to maturity through regular, relevant study of God’s Word, meaningful corporate worship, and fellowship. Del Rio Bible Church was established in 1997 by a … Read More »
The Best Relationship Advice Ever (Part 3)
Bible Text: 1 Peter 3:8-15 | Preacher: Pastor Joe Ricchuiti | Series: 1 Peter, The Best Relationship Advice Ever
When we are treated wrongly or insulted the natural response is retaliation. Peter teaches that rather than retaliation, we should commit it to the Lord and respond with a blessing.
“In our fallen world, it is often deemed acceptable to tear people down verbally or to get back at those who hurt us. Peter encourages his readers to pay back wrongs with a blessing, such as praying for the offenders. In God’s Kingdom, revenge is unacceptable behavior, as is insulting a person, no matter how indirectly it is done. We are to rise above our desire to get back at those who have hurt us. As believers, we live in the culture of grace and forgiveness that Jesus himself brought forth in his life and death. We are to carry forward that same grace and forgiveness into other people’s lives.” (One-Year NLT Study Bible). This is congruent with Paul’s teaching and example (Romans 12:17-21 and 1 Corinthians 4:12-13) as well as the teaching and example of Jesus (1 Peter 2:21-23).
This is illustrated in the following quote from the devotional book, Streams in the Desert: “There is no scene in all the Bible more majestic than our Savior remaining silent before the men who were reviling Him. With one quick burst of divine power, or one fiery word of rebuke, He could have caused His accusers to be laid prostrate at His feet. Yet He answered not one word, allowing them to say and do their very worst. He stood IN THE POWER OF STILLNESS—God’s holy silent Lamb. There is a place of stillness that allows God the opportunity to work for us and gives us peace. It is a stillness that ceases our scheming, self-vindication, and the search for a temporary means to an end through our own wisdom and judgment. Instead, it lets God provide an answer, through His unfailing and faithful love, to the cruel blow we have suffered. Oh, how often we thwart God’s intervention on our behalf by taking up our own cause or by striking a blow in our own defense!”
