A Cleansed Conscience

How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Hebrews 9:14

Our safety in Christ results from “the answer of a good conscience toward God” (1 Pet 3:21). The Greek word for “answer” refers to a pledge, in this case agreeing to meet certain conditions required by God before being placed into the ark of safety (Christ).

Unregenerate men and women have consciences that condemn them. One who appeals to God for a good conscience is sick of his sin and desires to be delivered from the load of guilt he bears. He has a crushing and intimidating fear of coming judgment and knows only God can deliver him. He desires the cleansing that comes through the blood of Christ (cf. Heb 10:22). So he repents of his sin and pleads for forgiveness.

When Christ suffered on the cross, hell threw all its fury at Him, and wicked men vented their hatred on Him. Yet through that suffering, He served as an ark of safety for the redeemed of all ages. And because He triumphantly provided salvation through His suffering, we are safe in Him.

MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 135). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.

Listen to this entry

Safety In Christ

There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 3:21

Just as the Flood immersed everyone but a few in the judgment of God, so the final judgment will fall on all. But those who are in Jesus Christ will pass through judgment safely. Being in Christ is like being in the ark: we ride safely through the storms of judgment.

The baptism Peter refers to in today’s verse is qualified by the statement, “not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God.” The only baptism that saves a person is one into the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Believers go through the death and burial of Christ because of their union with Him, and come out again into the new world of His resurrection.

The ark of Noah was a kind of tomb—those in it died to their old world when they entered it. When they left it, they experienced a resurrection of sorts by entering a new world. That, Peter tells us, is analogous to the experience of every Christian: spiritually we enter Christ and die to the world we come from, and one day we will be resurrected to a new world and life.

MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 134). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.

Listen to this entry

Illustrating Salvation

[God] waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water.

1 Peter 3:20

Genesis 6:9, 8:22 tells how Noah and his family were delivered through the Flood. They were the only people who believed God’s warning of the coming worldwide catastrophe. As a result, all mankind was drowned in judgment, except them.

Noah preached the righteousness of God for the hundred and twenty years it took him to build the ark. The size of a modern ocean liner (Gen 6:15), it was sure to attract attention. But it must have been discouraging to build that ark and preach its meaning for over a century, yet have only your immediate family believe.

Noah’s tremendous effort was spent on building a vessel he would spend only a year using, but those eight people were safe from God’s judgment when it came. The ark served as their shelter from the encompassing judgment of God. What a graphic illustration of salvation!

MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 133). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.

Listen to this entry

Snatching Victory From The Jaws Of Hell

He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.

Genesis 3:15

Since the beginning of time Satan and his cohorts have been at war with God. We see that cosmic conflict reflected many times in Scripture (e.g., Job 1; Daniel 10:13). After Satan’s apparent triumph in bringing about the Fall of mankind, God predicted his eventual destruction by the Messiah, who would triumph ultimately in spite of a seeming setback (Gen 3:15).

As a result, Satan attempted to destroy the Messianic line by destroying God’s people. When that failed, he tried to slaughter the infant Messiah (Mat 2:16-18). When that didn’t work, he attempted to corrupt the Messiah (Mat 4:1-11). Failure in that attempt caused him to instigate mobs to kill Him. He even tried to make sure the Messiah couldn’t come forth from the tomb.

It’s been said that hell must have been in the midst of its carnival when Jesus arrived. They were probably celebrating the victory they had tried so hard to secure—but were abruptly disappointed.

MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 132). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.

Listen to this entry

Proclaiming Victory

He went and preached to the spirits in prison.

1 Peter 3:19

Christ went to preach a triumphant sermon before His resurrection Sunday morning. The term for “preached” in today’s verse refers to making a proclamation or announcing a triumph. In ancient times, a herald would precede generals and kings in the celebration of military victories, announcing to all the victories that were won in battle.

That’s what Jesus went to do—not to preach the gospel but to announce His triumph over sin, death, hell, demons, and Satan. He didn’t go to win souls but to proclaim victory over the enemy. In spite of the unjust suffering they subjected Him to, He could declare ultimate victory over sin and death for you and me.

MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 131). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.

Listen to this entry

Staying Alive

But made alive in the spirit.

1 Peter 3:18, nasb

Today’s verse makes a specific reference to the life of Jesus’ spirit—it does not refer to the Holy Spirit. The apostle Peter is contrasting what happened to the flesh (or body) of Jesus with what happened to His spirit. His spirit was alive but His flesh was dead.

Some think “made alive in the spirit” refers to Christ’s physical resurrection, but that would necessitate a statement like, “He was put to death in the flesh but made alive in the flesh.” The resurrection was a spiritual and physical occurrence. Thus Peter’s point has to be that though Christ was physically dead, His spirit was still alive.

On the cross, Christ’s spirit experienced brief separation from God. He said, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Mat 27:46). The separation ended quickly, however, for shortly after our Lord’s lament, He said, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit” (Luke 23:46). Then, His spirit was no longer separated from God; it was committed to the Father.

MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 130). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.

Listen to this entry

A Real Death

Being put to death in the flesh.

1 Peter 3:18

Today’s verse indicates that Jesus Christ’s physical life ceased. Some dispute the resurrection of Christ from the dead by claiming that He never died but only fainted. Supposedly He was revived by the coolness of His tomb, got up, and walked out. But Peter is clear: Jesus was dead—the victim of a judicial murder.

Christ’s Roman executioners made sure He was dead. They broke the legs of the thieves crucified alongside Him to hasten their deaths. (A victim of crucifixion could postpone death as long as he could elevate himself on his legs.) However, they didn’t bother to break Christ’s legs since they could see He was already dead. To verify His death, they pierced His side, out of which came a flow of blood and water—only blood, not water, would have come out if Jesus had been alive (John 19:31-37). Christ was surely dead. And that means His resurrection was real.

MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 129). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.

Listen to this entry

Drawn To Christ

No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.

John 6:44

Jesus Christ is the One who introduces men and women to God. Those whom He ushers into the Father’s presence all have a loathing of their sin, a desire to be forgiven, and a longing to know God. Those attitudes are the work of God in drawing us to Christ. A response to the gospel message thus begins with a change in attitude toward sin and God.

Beyond that initial change in attitude is the transformation brought about in every believer at the instant of salvation. Christ didn’t die just to pay the penalty for sin: He died to transform us.

Deserted by most of His followers, Christ hung in darkness and agony on the cross, crying out, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Mat 27:46). Those were moments that Jesus felt incredible rejection and hostility. Yet out of those very circumstances Christ triumphed by atoning for sin and providing a way for men and women to be introduced to God and transformed. It was a triumph He Himself would soon proclaim (1 Pet 3:19-20).

MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 128). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.

Listen to this entry

Purposeful Suffering

The forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever.

Hebrews 6:20

Christ’s purpose in gathering up our sins on the cross and enduring the darkness of death was to open the way to God. The apostle Peter said that Christ died “that He might bring us to God” (1 Pet 3:18). God demonstrated that truth symbolically by ripping the Temple veil from top to bottom, opening the Holy of Holies to immediate access by all worshipers (Matt. 27:51). As priests, all believers now may come into the presence of God (1 Pet 2:9; Heb 4:16).

The Greek verb translated as “He might bring” (1 Pet 3:18) states the purpose of Jesus’ actions. The verb was often used when someone was being introduced. The noun form of the word refers to the one making the introduction. In Jesus’ day, officials in the ancient courts controlled the access to the king. Once convinced of a person’s right of access, the official would introduce that person into the king’s presence. And that’s exactly the function Jesus performs for us now. As He said, “No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). He came to lead us into the Father’s presence.

MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 127). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.

Listen to this entry

Suffering For Sins

For what the law could not do in that it was weakthrough the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin.

Romans 8:3

When we as believers suffer persecution, criticism, or even death, we are sinners suffering because of the sins of others. Our pain may come from the sins of hatred, anger, envy, or murder.

Christ also suffered for sins, but as the sinless One. First Peter 2:22 says He “committed no sin.” He never thought, said, or did anything evil. Rather, everything He thought, said, and did was perfectly holy. The sins of others placed Him on the cross: of those who mocked Him and those who nailed Him to the cross. He died because of the sins of the whole world.

Today’s verse says that Jesus died “on account of sin.” He suffered as a sin offering because “the wages of sin is death” (Rom 6:23). Just as in the Old Testament God required an animal sacrifice to symbolize the need for our atonement for sin, the New Testament presents Christ as the sacrifice who provided not a symbol, but the reality of our eternal atonement for sin.

MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 126). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.

Listen to this entry

Christ's Triumph

Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God.

1 Peter 3:18

It’s incredible to think that One who was perfectly just would die for the unjust. Pilate was correct when he said of Jesus, “I find no guilt in this man” (Luke 23:4). The charges brought against our Lord were fabricated. The witnesses were bribed, and the conviction itself was illegal.

Yet Christ triumphed through such unjust suffering by bringing us to God. And though believers will never suffer as substitutes or redeemers, God may use our Christlike response to unjust suffering to draw others to Himself.

So when the Lord asks us to suffer for His sake, we must realize we are only being asked to endure what He Himself endured so that we can point others to Him.

MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 125). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.

Listen to this entry

Your Two Options

For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

1 Peter 3:17

You have two options. The first is to do right, even if it results in suffering. You then accept suffering as part of God’s wise and sovereign plan for your life.

The second option is to do wrong, which also will result in suffering. Both options are available according to God’s will. God wills that you suffer for doing right so you will receive spiritual strength and glorify God. But He also wills that you suffer divine chastisement for doing wrong. So do good, and avoid bringing suffering on yourself for all the wrong reasons.

MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 124). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.

Listen to this entry

Tranquility In Criticism

If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you.

1 Peter 4:14

A pure conscience provides tranquility and vindicates you when you are slandered. It will be free from the task of pointing out any sin, and your godly life will prove any criticisms to be false. When you have a pure conscience, the verbal abuse and insults against you bring shame to your accuser, not you.

The world self–righteously condemns Christianity when it can point to a Christian who has scandalized the faith. Unbelievers enjoy drawing attention to a sinning Christian so they can justify their own sinful behavior. Therefore, live above reproach so that the unbeliever’s accusations will be without any foundation.

MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 123). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.

Listen to this entry

A Pure Conscience

Having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.

1 Peter 3:16

The conscience either accuses or excuses a person, acting as a source of conviction or affirmation. A good conscience doesn’t accuse a believer of sin because he is living a godly life. Instead, a good conscience affirms that everything is well, while an evil conscience points out sin.

A believer is to live with a clear conscience so that the weight of guilt won’t burden him when he faces hostile criticism. However, if he doesn’t have a passion for doing good or serving Christ, he will know the heavy weight of deserved guilt. A defiled conscience can’t be at ease or withstand the onslaught of trials. But a clear conscience will help you not to be anxious or troubled during your trials.

MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 122). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.

Listen to this entry

A Tender Response

A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all.

2 Timothy 2:24

A Christian is to explain his faith “with meekness and fear” (1 Pet 3:15). This indicates a tender and gracious spirit in speaking. The kind of fear we ought to have is a healthy devotion to God, a healthy regard for the truth, and a healthy respect for the person we’re talking to. That’s why you can’t be quarrelsome when defending your faith.

A Christian who can’t carefully, thoughtfully, reasonably, and biblically give a clear explanation for his faith will be insecure when faced with hostility and might be inclined to doubt his salvation. The enemy’s blows will devastate those who haven’t put on “the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation” (1 Thes 5:8).

MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 121). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.

Listen to this entry

Defending The Faith

Always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.

1 Peter 3:15

When society attacks, you need to be ready to make a defense. The Greek term for “defense” often referred to a formal defense in a court of law. But Paul also used the word informally to describe his ability to answer anyone who questioned him—not just a judge, magistrate, or governor (Phil 1:16-17). Furthermore, including the word always in today’s verse indicates that you should be prepared to answer in all situations, not just the legal sphere.

Whether in an official setting or informally to anyone who might inquire, you need to be ready to provide an answer about “the hope that is in you” (1 Pet 3:15)—that is, give a description of your Christian faith. You should be able to give a rational explanation of your salvation.

MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 120). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.

Listen to this entry

Devotion To Christ

Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts.

1 Peter 3:15

Regardless of the opposition a believer may face in this world, he is always to affirm in his heart that Christ is Lord. He is to accept and acknowledge the Lord’s sovereignty and majesty, fearing only Him.

The believer who sanctifies Christ exalts Him as the object of his love and loyalty. He recognizes His perfection, magnifies His glory, and extols His greatness. He submits himself to God’s will, realizing that His will sometimes involves suffering. To live that way is to “adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things” (Titus 2:10).

As a Christian, you need to be committed to honoring Christ as Lord—even in the midst of suffering. Submission to Him will yield courage, boldness, and fortitude in the midst of hostility.

MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 119). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.

Listen to this entry

A Helpful Fear

You are not to fear what they fear or be in dread of it. It is the Lord of hosts whom you should regard as holy. And He shall be your fear, and He shall be your dread.

Isaiah 8:12-13, nasb

In the days of the prophet Isaiah, Ahaz king of Judah faced a crisis in the impending invasion of the Assyrian army. When Ahaz refused an alliance with the kings of Israel and Syria against Assyria, they also threatened to invade Judah. Behind the scenes Ahaz had allied with Assyria. Isaiah warned Ahaz against that ungodly alliance, but told him not to fear. The king was only to fear the Lord and not be troubled.

In the same sense, a Christian is not to be shaken by whatever hostilities threaten him. Fearing the Lord will help him face opposition with courage and see suffering as an opportunity for spiritual blessings, not as an opportunity to compromise his faith before the believing world.

To be dedicated to the Lord in the face of persecution demands that your mind and affections be set on heavenly values, not earthly ones. If you’re preoccupied with possessions, pleasures, and popularity, you’ll fear the enemy’s assaults. But if you’re heavenly minded, you’ll rejoice when you encounter various trials.

MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 118). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.

Listen to this entry

Leaving No Cause

But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed.

1 Peter 3:15

It’s not likely, but according to the apostle Peter, there is a remote possibility that you may suffer for being righteous. Indeed, many Christians suffered for their obedience to Christ in the early church, but others suffered for their disobedience. When a Christian disobeys God’s Word, the world senses a greater justification and freedom for hostility. Even godly Christians should not be surprised or afraid when the world treats them with hostility.

A passion for goodness is no guarantee against persecution. Doing good only reduces the likelihood of it. No one did more good than Jesus, yet a hostile world eventually killed Him. Nevertheless, your life should be above reproach so critics will have no justification for any accusations against you.

MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 117). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.

Listen to this entry

A Passion For Goodness

Who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good?

1 Peter 3:13

Most people find it difficult to mistreat those who are fervent in doing good. Those who love to do good are often gracious, unselfish, kind, loving, and caring. But frauds who steal from widows and orphans are not tolerated. Even the ungodly condemn those who make themselves rich at the expense of others.

A person who is generous and thoughtful toward others usually isn’t the object of hostility. That’s Peter’s point in today’s verse. Peter wanted all his readers to zealously pursue doing good. A passion for doing good produces a pure life, which should be the goal and delight of every believer. When you are consumed with godly living, you will lose any appetite for the world’s ungodly attractions.

MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 116). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.

Listen to this entry

Living In A Hostile World

Having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.

1 Peter 2:12

You may not have realized it before, but living as a Christian in this world is like being a foreigner without a permanent home or citizenship. The apostle Peter referred to believers as “sojourners and pilgrims” (1 Pet 2:11). You should consider yourself as a temporary citizen and abstain from participating in the world’s ungodliness.

That’s an important perspective to maintain as hostility toward Christianity mounts in our society. Many unbelievers treat immorality as an alternative lifestyle and believe man can solve his problems any way he chooses.

To live in such a society, you need to arm yourself with a trust in the power of righteousness to triumph over persecution and suffering. During times of hostility, you’re to have confidence and not get caught up in turmoil.

MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 115). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.

Listen to this entry

Overcoming Through Suffering

They overcame him [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.

Revelation 12:11

Christians are aliens and strangers in the world, waging war against fleshly lusts and being slandered and persecuted. As a result, we must expect to suffer in the name of the One who endured all manner of suffering for us (1 Pet 2:11-25). The central thrust of Peter’s message is to remind us of the necessity of suffering. When in the midst of suffering we sin in thought, word, or deed by retaliating, we lose our victory and damage our testimony.

According to today’s verse, you overcome the insults, persecutions, and accusations of Satan by the blood of the Lamb, our Savior. That’s the power of God. You’re an overcomer when you don’t lose your testimony by retaliating during times of persecution, and when you don’t compromise—even to the point of death. Are you willing to stand strong in the suffering?

MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 114). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.

Listen to this entry

Christ Our Shepherd

You were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

1 Peter 2:25

Today’s verse is the apostle Peter’s allusion to Isaiah 53:6, which says, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” If the Lord had not provided a sacrifice for sin, He could never have brought us into His fold.

The task of a shepherd is to guard sheep. The Greek term for “shepherd” in 1 Peter 2:25 can also be translated as “pastor.” That, along with the word translated as “overseer,” describe the responsibilities of elders (cf. 1 Pet 5:2). Jesus guards, oversees, leads, and supervises His flock. He said, “The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep” (John 10:11). That’s exactly what He did to bring us to Himself.

MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 113). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.

Listen to this entry

The Transformation

We also should walk in newness of life.

Romans 6:4

The purpose for Jesus’ substitutionary sacrifice was that “we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness” (1 Pet 2:24). Peter doesn’t say Christ died so we could go to heaven, have peace, or experience love. He died to bring about a transformation: to make saints out of sinners. Christ’s substitutionary work enables a person to depart from sin and enter into a new life pattern: a life of righteousness.

The apostle Paul said, “Our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin” (Rom 6:6). We have died to sin; thus it no longer has a claim on us. First Peter 2:24 echoes that thought: our identification with Christ in His death is a departure from sin and a new direction in life.

MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 112). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.

Listen to this entry

The Weight Of Our Penalty

Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many.

Hebrews 9:28

When the apostle Peter said that Christ “bore” our sins (1 Pet 2:24), he used a term that means “to carry a massive, heavy weight.” That’s what sin is. It’s so heavy that Romans 8:22 says, “The whole creation groans and labors” under its weight. Only Jesus could remove such a weight from us.

When Christ “bore our sins,” He bore the penalty for our sins. He endured physical and spiritual death. When Jesus cried out on the cross, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Mat 27:46), His was the cry of spiritual death. That was the penalty for bearing our sins.

MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 111). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.

Listen to this entry

Our Substitute

[He] Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.

1 Peter 2:24

The substitutionary death of Jesus Christ is an essential truth of the Christian faith. Redemption, justification, reconciliation, removal of sin, and propitiation are all corollaries of Christ’s substitutionary work.

The apostle Paul also emphasized this work when he said that God “made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Cor 5:21), and that “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us”(Gal 3:13).

Some claim it’s immoral to teach that God would take on human flesh and bear the sins of men and women in their stead. They say it’s unfair to transfer the penalty of sin from a guilty person to an innocent person. But that’s not what happened. Christ willingly took on our sin and bore its penalty. If He had not willed to take our sin and accept its punishment, as sinners we would have borne the punishment of sin in hell forever. Christ’s work on the cross wasn’t unfair—it was God’s love in action!

MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 110). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.

Listen to this entry

Vindicated

Lord, do not charge them with this sin.

Acts 7:60

We live in a day when Christianity is becoming increasingly unpopular with secular society. Strong stands for the truth of Scripture and the gospel message may soon become intolerable. That will result in the unjust treatment of Christians.

The prospect of such treatment ought to drive us to passages like 1 Peter 2:21-25 for reassurance. There we learn that like our Lord, we are to walk the path of suffering to attain the glory of reward and exaltation in the future. That realization surely prompted Stephen to fix his eyes on Jesus in glory and ask God to forgive his murderers (Acts 7:54-60). He entrusted Himself to God, knowing that He would vindicate him. If you do the same, God will also vindicate you.

MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 109). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.

Listen to this entry

Let God Handle It

Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.

Luke 23:46

The apostle Peter instructed Christians not to be “returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing” (1 Pet 3:9). That was Jesus’ attitude. He was able to do that because He “committed Himself to Him who judges righteously” (1 Pet 2:23). The word translated as “committed” means “to hand over for someone to keep.” In every instance of suffering, our Lord handed over the circumstance and Himself to God. That’s because He was confident in the righteous judgment of God and the glory that would be His. That confidence allowed Him to accept tremendous suffering calmly.

That’s the way you should respond when confronted with unjust persecution on the job or in your families or other relationships. When you retaliate, you forfeit the blessing and reward that suffering is meant to bring. Retaliation shows you lack the confidence you ought to have in God’s ability to make things right in His own time, which will include punishing the unjust and rewarding those who are faithful in suffering. So give it over to God and let Him handle it.

MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 108). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.

Listen to this entry

Don't Threaten

Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.

Luke 23:35

Jesus “did not threaten” in the face of incredible suffering (1 Pet 2:23). He was spit on, His beard was pulled out, a crown of thorns was crushed onto His head, and nails were driven through His flesh to pin Him to a cross. In any other person, such unjust treatment would have caused feelings of retaliation to well up and burst out, but not Christ. He was the Son of God—creator and sustainer of the universe, holy and sinless—with the power to send His tormentors into eternal flames.

Yet Jesus never threatened His executioners with impending judgment; instead He forgave them. Christ died for sinners, including those who persecuted Him. He knew the glory of salvation could be reached only through the path of suffering, so He accepted His suffering without bitterness, anger, or a spirit of retaliation. May you respond as well to your suffering.

MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 107). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.

Listen to this entry

No Striking Back

He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth.

Isaiah 53:7

Jesus reflects a humble attitude before His tormentors: “When He was reviled, did not revile in return” (1 Pet 2:23). Though under sustained provocation, Jesus spoke no evil because there was no sin in His heart.

However, under similar provocation, our reaction would be more like that of the apostle Paul’s. When he was on trial before the Sanhedrin, the high priest Ananias ordered him to be struck on the mouth. His immediate response to Ananias was, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall!” (Acts 23:3). Paul immediately had to apologize—such an exclamation against a high priest was against the law (Acts 4-5; cf. Ex. 22:28).

Paul wasn’t perfect. He is not our standard of righteousness. Only Christ is a perfect standard of how to handle the reviling of one’s enemies.

Like our Master, we are never to abuse those who abuse us.

MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 106). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.

Listen to this entry