Sometimes, it is hard to observe the degradation of society. No matter where you stand on any given subject, you see that things that were once hidden are now done in the light. Things once done in the shadows are now paraded in full public view. Indecency and modesty mean very little; we witness influential leaders lying openly and the perversion of justice; we observe outright opposition to godly principles. The lie is the reality, and the truth is obscured. It is evident when we read the words of David that this is the continual state of humanity,
“The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good. 2 The LORD looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God. 3 They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.” (Psalm 14:1-3).
We are not the only generation of people who have witnessed the squalor of human intentions. The world disparages and despises the things of God. That should not come as news to us. Good and evil stand opposed to each other; they cannot harmonize and live in agreement.
The adversary of humanity would like us to start a “Holy War,” where each person entrenches into their position and assaults their opposition, where every hot-button topic becomes a battleground for right versus wrong. However, that is not the best way to address these situations. Indeed, we should stand firm in our convictions, but the scriptures give us a more nuanced approach to living in a world that opposes God.
Peter talks to exiles in the world, those scattered from persecution and driven from their homes, and gives us this startling instruction.
1 Peter 3:9-17: “Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. 10 For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; 11 let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.”
The instruction is explicit: We abstain from partaking in the evil around us. We don’t become entrenched in the back-and-forth warfare of the world. Instead, we honor Christ as holy even when we are being slandered. In war, the only people who win are the undertakers. Our adversary wants as much carnage and collateral damage as possible. He wants us to engage in conflict; in the ugliness of war, he wins. Peter’s remarks are to steadily continue to do good and to give an answer for the hope we have. Don’t sit back in silence; talk about why you believe what you believe. Share how you were transformed by the resurrected Christ.
This is the key to our devotion. Early followers of Christ didn’t storm into Rome by force or sack Jerusalem. No, they willingly gave up their lives while professing the hope that kept them striving for what was pure, noble, and true. The world was not transformed by bloody crusades but through the sacrifice of martyrs.
The challenge is, are you willing to give a defense for the hope you have? If you are given the opportunity, what would you say concerning the blessings of Christ? These speak louder than the roar of revolt. The world is evil, and that should not shock us. We are not of the world. We don’t repay evil for evil; we resist by proclaiming the hope we have, a hope that empowers us and fills us with the courage to Fight Back the way Christ fought… by picking up our cross.