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1 Peter 3:14 - Blessings in Righteous Suffering.

1 Peter 3:14 (NKJV) But even if you should 
suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. 
"And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be 
troubled."  

COMMENTARY PEARL

Sunshine and Shadow
   All the masterpieces of painting contain 
both light and shadow. 
   By them the artist highlights certain 
features of his subject, and they provide contrast 
and harmony to reveal beauty or character. 
   A happy life is not one filled only with 
sunshine, but one that uses both light and shadow to 
produce beauty. Suffering or persecution can become 
a blessing because they can form a dark 
backdrop for the radiance of the Christian life. The 
greatest musicians as a rule are those who know how 
to bring song out of sadness. Fanny Crosby, her 
spirit aglow with faith in Christ, saw more with 
her sightless eyes than most of us do with 
normal vision. She gave us some of the great gospel 
songs that cheer our hearts and lives. 
   Paul and Silas sang a song of praise at 
midnight in a rat-infested jail in Philippi, their 
feet in stocks, their backs raw from the jailer's 
whip. But their patience in suffering and 
persecution led to the conversion of the heathen prison 
warden and his family. 
   Dont despise the shadow God brings 
into your life.  He can use them to produce a 
masterpiece. 
   Kintsugi is the Japanese art of mending 
broken poverty by filling in the cracks with gold 
or silver.  The mended peace is often more 
beautiful than the original.  God takes our brokenness 
and make something beautiful. [Hope for Each Day 
by Billy Graham] 

ILLUSTRATION

A Hero Who Healed
1 Peter 3:14; 8-17.
   Corporal Desmond Doss was the first 
conscientious objector to earn the Congressional Medal of 
Honor, the United States highest military award. 
A devout follower of Christ, Doss believed 
that it was not right for him to kill others, but 
he wanted to serve his country so he 
volunteered as a medic. During boot camp, his fellow 
soldiers ridiculed him for refusing to fire a rifle. 
They mocked him when he read his Bible and knelt 
beside his bunk at night to pray. But in combat, it 
was a different story. 
   During the World War II battle for 
Okinawa in May 1945, Doss repeatedly risked his life 
to rescue scores of wounded men. Through his 
unselfish actions, he earned the gratitude and respect 
of his former critics and of those whose lives 
he saved. 
   In the face of unjust criticism, Peter 
told his fellow Christians, Even if you should 
suffer for righteousness sake, you are blessed. 
And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be 
troubled (1 Peter 3:14). He urged them to honor God 
in their hearts and be ready to give a 
respectful reply to anyone who asked about the hope 
within them (v.15). 
   May our response to a hurting world 
thats often hostile to Christ be one that 
demonstrates Gods love. 
      Were told to love the enemies 
      That in this life we face, 
      For showing love thats not deserved 
      Reveals to them Gods grace. 
"Bosch  
      To return good for good is human; 
      to return good for evil is divine. by 
David C. McCasland  
      [Our Daily Bread by Les Lamborn]

LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY 

Matthew 5:10-12 - There Is Blessing In 
Persecution For Righteousness. 

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2022/20220305-0907.html 

YOUR COMMENTS

If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or 
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either 
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in 
hearing from you.  Thanks in advance and let's keep 
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred 
Gibbs  

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

https://abible.com/links/