Short Devotion: Transformation - 1 Peter 3:8-9

 

1 Peter 3:8-9 Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. (NIV)

I love the transformation of Simon Peter from when he first followed Jesus in Galilee to the last years of his ministry in Rome. When we first come across him in the Gospels, Peter is brash, headstrong, and loud, and sometimes he even creates more trouble for Jesus. The Big Fisherman must have been a handful at times, but I think Jesus loved him for being so much of an open book. “What you see is what you get” could have been easily applied to Christ’s great Galilean disciple.

That brashness also landed Peter in a lot of trouble. How can we ever forget him hanging around outside in the high priest’s courtyard as Jesus was being unjustly tried by the Sanhedrin? And when he was confronted by a girl servant, his fear was so great that he ended up cursing and strongly denying he was associated with Christ. What a humiliating experience for the disciple who pledged to give his life to Jesus just a few hours before!

And then, decades later when Peter was writing today’s highlighted verses, I wonder how much he reflected on the past and recalled his unbound temerity. This more spiritually mature fisherman, who was carefully writing to the young, persecuted church, had completely changed. Rather than being brash, he was humble; instead of being loud and full of himself, he was gentle and full of love. What a transformation!

How I wish and pray that Christians everywhere, including myself, would adopt this spiritual maturity that Peter experienced. Instead of being judgmental, self-righteous, and loud, we should be sympathetic, compassionate, and humble. The world has had its fill of division, hatred, and strife. It’s looking for Christ’s followers to be gracious, show kindness, and share love. If we really want to convince others that Jesus is the Son of God and Savior of the world, then we need to witness truthfully, lovingly, and above all, humbly. Any other way is not Christ’s way at all.

How has my faith matured over the years? Am I willing to share Christ lovingly and humbly?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help us to be more aware that what we do as Christians is much more effective than what we say. Allow us to grow in faith, so that we may humbly and wisely share Your love. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. Check out the church’s website at www.erinpres.org.

Today’s image is one of John’s early drawings of Simon Peter. 

Church Devotions: Teaching the Faith - Acts 13:12

Acts 13:12       When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord.

I like to teach the Faith. It’s an important part of my calling. I enjoy discussions about Christ and Christianity and the sharing of questions, ideas, and thoughts at my regular Sunday School class. It keeps me on my toes and refreshes my faith each time I enter and exit the classroom. Preaching is meant for the big moment of the week in worship; teaching is an entirely different method of sharing the faith.

The class that I teach is an inter-generational one. People bring their cultural backgrounds, life experiences, and personal questions into the melting pot which, in turn, adds to the whole collective discussion about a Bible passage, faith point, or church issue. Each Sunday that we meet, we add to the theological tapestry that we’re weaving. Faith, hope, and love are shared; encouragement, friendship, and inspiration are experienced.

Teaching about the Lord in philosophical or practical ways always has the potential of strengthening our beliefs and Christian convictions. In today’s passage (Acts 13:6-12), the Roman proconsul Sergius Paulus is deeply impressed not just by what Barnabas and Saul say, but what they actually do. Their faith is amazing and fearless in the face of evil and deception. The proconsul becomes a believer because he sees for himself the authenticity and authority of the Christian faith.

Today, we will all be given opportunities to share our faith and be authentic witnesses for Christ. Let’s hope that we are both ready and real about being Christians.

Questions for personal reflection

Where do I go to be constantly taught about the Christian faith? What lessons of faith do I express to others with my words and deeds?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, help us to positively express our faith in You to others this day. Let our witness of Your power and presence in our lives be authentic and sincere. In Your Holy Name, we earnestly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is currently the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, TN. If you would like to comment on today’s passage or ask a question about it, please send him an email to traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest Pentecost drawings. It’s called “Heaven Sent” and features the Holy Spirit as a dove descending to Earth. If you would like to view a larger version of the image, please click on the following link: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8536/8683999979_5ab8742e51_b.jpg