1 Peter 3:13-22 (NRSV)
Read 1 Peter 3:13-22 on biblegateway.com
Verse 13Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? Verse 14But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, Verse 15but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you;
Verse 16yet do it with gentleness and reverence. Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame. Verse 17For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God's will, than to suffer for doing evil.
Verse 18For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit, Verse 19in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison, Verse 20who in former times did not obey, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water.
Verse 21And baptism, which this prefigured, now saves you-not as a removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Verse 22who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him.
Devotion
A young Pakistani teenager was critically wounded on her way to school by a young Taliban. Miraculously, she survived. Then on July 12, 2013, Malala Yousafzai went to the United Nation and said, "I am Malala. The terrorists thought they could change my aims ... I am not against anyone ... or have personal revenge against the Taliban ... I'm here to speak up for the right of education for every child."
In every corner of the world, especially in places like Syria, Central African Republic, Iraq, Pakistan, and even in our own communities, people of faith are standing up for their convictions. Our sisters and brothers are suffering for doing what is right. At times the struggle may seem futile. It would be if it were not that "Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God." All we can say is, "Thanks be to God!"
Prayer
Suffering God, sustain your daughters and sons who carry heavy burdens which never seem to end. Give us compassionate hands and feet as we walk with them. Amen.