Day 2384 – OUR STRANGE LIFE – A RIGHTEOUS LIFE AND A READY DEFENSE – 1 PETER 3:8-17

Welcome to Day 2384 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2384 – OUR STRANGE LIFE – A RIGHTEOUS LIFE AND A READY DEFENSE1 PETER 3:8-17 – Daily Wisdom Putnam Church Message – 05/19/2024 Our Strange Life – A Righteous Life and a Ready Defense 1 Peter 3:8-17 Last week, we shifted from submitting to government authorities and employers to how we should practice mutual submission in our home in a message titled, The Give-and-Take of Domestic Harmony. This week, we move forward with our overall submission theme as we learn how to have A Righteous Life and a Ready Defense. Today’s passage is 1 Peter 3:8-17, on page 1890 of your Pew Bibles. I will read it today from the NLT because the text flow is more personally applicable to our daily lives.  8 Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters.[a] Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. 9 Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing. 10 For the Scriptures say, “If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. 11 Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. 12 The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil.”[b] 13 Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 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. 15 Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. 16 But do this in a gentle and respectful way.[c] Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. 17 Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong!   Without a doubt, the process of spiritual growth is long and often painful. In route to maturity, we all spill our milk, say things we shouldn’t, and fail to act our age. Sometimes, we throw temper tantrums like toddlers, pout like preschoolers, or argue and complain like teens. We should conduct ourselves as mature believers and set an example for those younger in the faith. We may know what is right, but we don't have the will to do what's