
Key Scripture
“But 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.” 1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)
Daily Devotional Series
Victory Over Suffering Day 8
Reading: 1 Peter 3:15-22 (NIV)
Frank Sinatra sang a well-known song, “I Did It My Way”. Some of you may have that on your funeral playlist. I read the lyrics and I see the song of a person with a self-centered view of the world. Other people don’t matter. God doesn’t matter. It’s all about “my way” and that philosophy is glorified.
Peter challenges that notion. He says, “In your hearts revere Christ as Lord.” Christ is in charge of my life. No one else. There is only room for one Lord and it’s Jesus. He is the author of my life. He is the redeemer of my life. He is Lord of my life. When he is in charge we do things “His Way.” When we do things His Way, the people around us and our communities are blessed and we are different. Jesus called us “the Light of the World” and being different always catches people’s attention. Some of it will be negative (remember that the Christians of Peter’s time were persecuted under Nero) but much would be positive, seeing people still doing good for other people when others would not. In you, people would see HOPE.
When you live with Christ set apart the Lord of your life, people see it in your behavior. Being a person peace and love in even the hardest of situations.