1 Peter 3: 13-18

1 Peter 3:13-18

13Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened." 15But in your hearts set apart 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, 16keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 18For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit,

1 Peter 3:13-18

13 - hm , harm if eager to do good . What does it mean ? eager- wanting to , looking forward,

desirous. If we are eager to do good, hm , our focus is different, we see our goal and harm is harder to do . Instead of seeing things get in the way, we just see our obstacles to overcome and the goal of it all.

14 – Goes back to Jesus talking about being in the world but not of it . And Hebrews 11:32-38, cause they were suffering, but eager to do good. The suffering was not truly suffering , it was a blessing. And they get reward later (and then too, but not as men see it) . They were hurt, persecuted for GOD, look what God says in Heb. 11: 38 “ The world was not worthy of them. “ From GOD – HE says this, the world didn't deserve to have them in it. Take back to Enoch – GOD took him ! The world really was not worthy of that guy . :)

15 – Lord – Used in times as a sign of higher standing over one, so for us HE is over us , our Lord , Servants of HIM, subject of HIM and what HE wants .

Hope – do we know what we hope for ? Do we know why ?

Hard part , especially in/to the world. To be gentle is hard when facing one who is just being hateful or mean. To respect is hard too, cause one who is doing these things to another meanly is hard to respect, yet GOD is able to show , teach that to us through these things . Also, He doesn't say "respect/gentleness if this is happening, or under these conditions or however you feel up to it" He says to do it. I forget that emotions and feelings are not qualifiers, "just do it".

16 – Clear conscience – nuff said ? Those who talk against us ( when we are doing right ) will themselves be convicted of our good works to point of being ashamed .

17 – We won't always suffer for doing good . If we do , it is God's will. Refine by fire, like gold and our faith is worth more than gold. ( 1 Pet. 1:7 ) when we do evil we deserve our punishment . Thank GOD for mercy and forgiveness .

18 – Bridge to God . Our sins are forgiven, no more re-baptism each time, we have forgiveness, through confession and repentance . 

Dunno Dan,  it seems like many times, I'm tryin to make up for my sins, yet since God forgave them (repentance/confession), I shouldn't be trying to add to the load by carrying the guilt of sins past that are forgiven and forgotten (by God) .

Life is already filled with troubles, carrying the past, rather than using it to learn from, is wrong. God doesn't hold us to the sin no more, just like He doesn't hold us to the old covenant. Why do I try and add to what is not necessary or even valid in God's eyes? How can I forgive if I don't take God's forgiveness, His handling of the sin, whether He punishes or not how I want it to be?

About suffering, well, Dan, it's gonna happen, It won't be cause someone deserved it always, it's not fair in many eyes, but life isn't fair. It's gonna happen. What will you do when you needlessly suffer? Will you hold it in your heart? Learn from it? Forgive? Use it to show God's love even more? Try and use it/store it til you can use it for your own venom on another? 

No one has suffered more than God and if He can get over it, go through it, teach from it, forgive from it, Love me from it, and stick with me and still want me and use me ( I make Him suffer, we all make Him suffer/hurt, more than we know), than how can I do that? 

So much more to be said, but my mind is overloading. Dan, you need a break for a few. God is good.....All the time. 

I'm scared to ask this, God, but teach me. I said it and now have to deal with it. Please, I'm scared of how you will teach me, calm me please. Thank You now and in advance.