“Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life.” 1 Peter 3:13-15a (NLT)
In 1 Peter, the editor’s subtitle for this section is “Suffering for Doing Good.” I remember being afraid to ask Jesus to be the LORD of my life. Instinctively, I knew that He would call me to a changed life. I wanted to invite Jesus into my life but I didn’t want to leave my life to follow Him. Human nature doesn’t want to suffer or struggle — especially for doing what is good and right.
Peter reminds us that the Lord calls us to worship Christ as Lord of our lives — and this has multiple implications. Peter says that worshiping Christ as Lord of our lives means turning from evil to do good. Worship is willingly suffering for doing the right thing — even if it means being mocked. Worship is always being prepared to give an answer for the hope that we have. Worship is keeping a clear conscience, with the reminder that it is better to suffer for doing good, than for doing evil.
Worship Christ as Lord, letting Him into every corner of your life — anything less is not true worship. Sometimes, we think of worship as music we play or songs we sing on Sunday mornings. However, the Lord calls us to worship Him as our Lord over every area of our life. He is our King. He is the standard of good. He is the One we worship, adore, and please.
Are you willing to suffer to do good and to worship Christ as the Lord of your life?
Father God, your calling is clear — worship Christ as Lord of my life. I bow before you once again and declare that you are my Lord. Lord, help me turn from what is evil and do good today. Search me O God, that my conscience may be clear. I choose to worship you as my God and King. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
