By Pastor Raymond Wicks | June 5, 2020
If I were to say to you, “love life and see good days,” what would that look like to you?
Recently our country has gone through some difficult days. How are you doing? In spite of all the world’s difficulties, each of us get to make personal choices that affect the outcome of our lives.
1 Peter chapters 3 and 4 lay out seven choices that lead to loving life and seeing good days.
1. Speak Wisely
…let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile. (1 Peter 3:10)
Many of our troubles come from opening our mouths at the wrong time and saying the wrong things.
Proverbs 17:28 says, “Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.”
For example, we should be careful not to show obvious disrespect, to tell a lie, or to spread gossip. These things may bring some satisfaction in the moment, but evil words do not lead to a happy life.
Choose your words carefully, and try to be a blessing to people around you.
2. Shun Evil
Let him eschew evil, and do good… (1 Peter 3:11)
Eschew means dislike or avoid; to hate.
Just like water and oil do not mix, right and wrong do not mix either.
Proverbs 29:27 says, “An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.”
Billy Sunday used to say, “You can’t love flowers unless you hate weeds.”
What do you love? Shun the opposite. Hate the sin, not the people.
3. Seek Peace
…let him seek peace, and ensue it. (1 Peter 3:11)
In his famous sermon on the mount, Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers.”
How would those who know us best characterize us? Would they call us troublemakers or peacemakers?
Peacemakers are enjoyable to be around. This quality is something to look for when choosing friends. Avoid those who are always arguing or causing contention.
Romans 12:18 says, “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”
Be a peacemaker!
4. Share Scripture
If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God… (1 Peter 4:11)
The oracles of God refer to Scripture.
Having Scripture on our mind and tongue will help us to love life and see good days.
Before we can share the Scripture, we must know the Scripture. Read it, hear it, study it, memorize it, and meditate on it. This will help us to share it with others.
5. Serve Others
…if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth. (1 Peter 4:11)
God has given every believer abilities and gifts, and we can use these for God’s glory. We need to be careful not to compare our abilities to others.
If we have the ability to sing, then we should sing. If we have the ability to teach, then we should teach. If we have the ability to help, then we should help. If we have the ability to give, then we should give.
God sees the little things we do. Find something to do for others or for God today!
6. Suffer Boldly
Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed… (1 Peter 4:16)
Christ suffered for us, and there may be times when we must suffer for Him. Peter did, and in fact, all of the apostles did.
As believers, we should never be ashamed that Jesus loves us and died for us! Never be embarrassed of your faith or your Saviour.
7. Show Christ
…but let him glorify God on this behalf. (1 Peter 4:16)
What is the purpose of your life? The purpose of humanity is to glorify God!
Everything we do and say should prove our love for God and it should bring Him glory! We are not perfect, but if we try to glorify Him instead of living for ourselves, we will have a better life.
“Let him…” The choice is up to us.
