August 6 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

1 Peter 3:1-16:

¹Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
²While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.
³Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
⁴But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
⁵For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:
⁶Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.
⁷Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
⁸Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
⁹Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
¹⁰For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
¹¹Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.
¹²For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
¹³And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?
¹⁴But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
¹⁵But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
¹⁶Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.

Devotional

"Be ye all of one mind, " says Peter. "Be ye of the same mind one toward another," says Paul; and again he says, "Let us mind the same thing." The thing that we are to be mindful of as believers is, that we are all one in Christ Jesus, bought by his blood, ruled by his Spirit, members of the same body.

"Having compassion." "Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, say­ing, Execute true judgment, and show mercy and compassion every man to his brother." "Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful." "Love as brethren." "Behold, how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity."

Be pitiful; be courteous (or perhaps better, be tenderhearted); friendly. Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing (reviling for reviling, R. S. V.). How prone we are to do this! "Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the Lord, and he all save thee." "Recompense to no man evil for evil." But on the contrary, blessing. Jesus said: "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you, and persecute you; that you may be the children of your Father which is in heaven."

Knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. "Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world."

Prayer

Our Father, we would humble ourselves before Thee, for we are not what we ought to be, and do not the things that we should do. Jesus, the Holy One of God, who could say, Which of you convinceth me of sin; who, when He was reviled, reviled not again, but endured such contradiction of sinners against himself. He patiently endured and suffered. And we harbor evil thoughts in our hearts, and are prone to recompense evil for evil, and take revenge on our enemies. Father, forgive us, we pray, and help us to forgive and to be merciful. For Jesus' sake. Amen.

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Scripture in Devotional: Rom. 12:16; Phil. 3:16; Zech. 7:8; Luke 6:36; Ps. 133:1; Prov. 20:22; Rom. 12:17; Matt. 5:44, 45; 25:34.

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