Evangelical Lutheran Diocese of North America

Thursday after Jubilate

Posted on April 29, 2021 by Pastor Dulas under Devotions
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Scripture: 1 Peter 3:1-12 (NKJV)
 
3:1 Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear. 3 Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel—4 rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. 5 For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, 6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror.
 
7 Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.
 
8 Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; 9 not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For
 
“He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain 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 prayers; But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
 
Devotion
 
Today’s reading also makes the comparison between those who are the Lord’s and those who wickedly resist Him. The contrast is a summary of why Scripture teaches the examples of good, pious behavior in the previous verses. In the vocations that God establishes for His people we have specific ways that we can show love and serve His holy will.
 
People talk about their vague notions of love and piety, but God gives us many clear commands in His Word that often get ignored. Our Lord Jesus Christ did not just talk about ideas concerning righteousness and forgiveness; He manifested these in all that He did. He teaches us to do likewise. Those who do evil are those who continue to act as enemies of the Lord. His face is against them because they mock and detract from His commands.
 
Even children of God stumble and fall in this way. We talk about faithful teaching, strive for right practice, and desire to serve in love, but we still fail to actually do what is good according to His will. Thanks be to God that He continues to remind us with His Word and the work of His Church, so that we may be strengthened by His Spirit, repent of our failings, and endeavor to love as He commands us!
 
Prayer: Almighty God, who showest to them that be in error the light of Thy truth to the intent that they may return into the way of righteousness, grant unto all them that are admitted into the fellowship of Christ’s religion that they may avoid those things that are contrary to their profession and follow all such things as are agreeable to the same; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord. Amen.
 
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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