Big Idea - Peter tells us that we are to return evil and insults with blessing. It is one thing to endure the criticism and scorn of those who hate us, but it is quite another thing to respond with kindness and actually seek to make life better for them! This is asking a lot, maybe even asking for the impossible. Why are we supposed to bless those who mistreat us? What does it look like, and how is it even possible?
Peter tells us that we are to respond to evil and insults by blessing because it is the right and good thing to do. Responding to evil with evil is unjustified, though we certainly think it is. In the end, we are acting just like them. It is not responding with the heart and character of God. It is not doing good. We are to do good, guard our tongue, and seek peace with everyone so that we will be blessed by God, who blesses the righteous but turns away from the wicked. But there is more at stake than simply doing what is right and good. A more important reason for blessing those who mistreat us is so that we can point them to the glory of Christ. We are to hold Jesus as so sacred and honored in our hearts that our greatest desire is to see Him honored and worshipped by everyone. That is the ultimate blessing we seek for others - that they would know and worship Him. We must be prepared to explain the reason for our hope in Christ with gentleness and grace. Finally, we are to bless them because, in the end, we are far better off than they are! When we are insulted and mistreated, it makes us feel like we are losers and dishonored, but Jesus' death and resurrection assure us that we will share in His glorious victory over every enemy. Jesus died to take away our sins, bring us to God, and share in His glory forever. So it is better to suffer a little now for the right reasons than to be counted with those who will suffer for all eternity for doing evil.
