I Can Do No Other



Prayer: Lift up your heads, ye mighty gates!
                   Behold, the King of glory waits.

         The King of kings is drawing near; The Savior of the world is here.
         Life and salvation He doth bring; Therefore rejoice and gladly sing.
         To God the Father raise Your joyful songs of praise.



Read: 1 Peter 3:8–17

http://www.esvbible.org/1 Peter 3:8-17


Think about It: When we ponder God’s mercy in the face of our overwhelming need there are several wonderful outcomes not the least of which is that we become more merciful ourselves. Peter expounds upon this principle as he writes his letter to the persecuted church.

     Peter writes to the Church over 30 years after Jesus has died and been resurrected. By this point in history, the church is under great attack. The Roman government is not favorably disposed toward God’s people and seeks to eradicate Christianity from the globe. In the face of this suffering Peter reminds the Church to hold onto their mercy. He reminds all of us that we have been given a gift of immeasurable worth and one of our responses should be to act with that same mercy to those around us – even as we are under attack. Peter even tells us what that life of mercy looks like. It is embodied by unity, harmony, sympathy, and humility. An impressive list of attributes but totally worth striving toward for each one of us.

     The impact of this witness to the world of a life lived in this way cannot be overstated. We are surrounded by a culture that is completely self-seeking. When the non-believing world gives us avarice, greed, pride, and idolatry, what impact can Peter’s admonition have on us and those we talk to each day? Humility and sympathy are always attractive and serve to speak loudly to the world even if there is never a single word voiced. Of course we are going to fail. None of us can successfully put aside our sin-filled ways that look more like the world than like the Kingdom of God. That is why Jesus came into the world. He takes away the sting of our sin and restores us to His side. That is when we reassert our willingness to let Jesus live through us rather than allowing our flesh to take control. Once again the people in our lives see that humility and compassion showing through and that is winsome for the Kingdom.



Prayer: A righteous Helper comes to thee; His chariot is humility,

             His kingly crown is holiness, His scepter, pity in distress.
             The end of all our woe He brings;
             Therefore the earth is glad and sings.

             To Christ the Savior raise Your grateful hymns of praise.
Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates – LSB 340

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