How to Love Life in Christ and See Good Days

Biblical Path to Loving Life in Christ and Good Days

I think most of us would agree that we want to "love life and see good days." How do we do that? Most of us understand how the world would answer that question: 1) Do what makes you happy 2) Be successful in your job 3) Make time for YOU.

The Bible answers this question differently in Psalm 34:12-16. The answer is so important that Peter quotes this passage in 1 Peter 3:10-12. It probably won't come as a shock that the word "you" or "your" isn't mentioned. If it is implied, it is only in relation to others. The only way to love life and see good days is in Christ

How to Choose Righteousness Over Evil

We have choices to make. Verse 10 says to achieve good days and love life we shouldn't speak evil and we shouldn't lie. Verse 11 says we must turn away from evil, and not just turn from it, but replace it with doing good (Romans 12:17). What is our response when someone hurts us or harms us? We may feel justified in "paying them back" but no, that is the very person we are called on to do good to.

How to Pursue Peace as a Christian

In 1 Peter 3:11, he continues and says we are to "seek peace and pursue it". That means we actively go out of our way to be peaceful people. This word pursue is an active verb. In Greek the word is the same as you would use for a hunter chasing his prey. We don't just say, "Oh well, there's nothing I can do" and give up. We try different approaches to make peace with others, both with those who are our brothers and sisters in Christ and those who are in the world.

It's a matter of fact that a righteous life can actually lead to a longer, fuller life. Many times the righteous and the wicked die the same in war or natural disasters, but there are benefits of a righteous life:

• calm and contentment vs worry, fear and anxiety

• moderation and self control vs overeating or drinking too much

• hardworking, diligent, and purposeful vs lazy or idle

• forgiveness vs bitterness

These benefits promote physical and spiritual health. They help us live a peaceful, disciplined, and purposeful life in Christ. All of these can lead to a longer life, for example by reduced stress and healthier habits. Living righteously not only brings personal peace but also places us under God’s watchful care.

God’s Care for the Righteous

1 Peter 3:12 explains that God is watching. We often say this but less often do we really believe it. But who is He watching? This verse tells us it is the righteous that He watches. It is Christ who has made us righteous (Romans 3:21-25). In Psalms we are told,

"Surely, LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield” (Psalm 5:12).

He isn't watching so He can say "Gotcha" when we slip up and make a mistake. He is our loving Father, always there, always with us no matter the trial or circumstance of life. He is truly our good Shepherd.

For these righteous, we are told, have their prayers heard. He not only sees us but He hears us. I want my prayers to be heard, don't you? Does that mean He will always give us what we want, when we want it. Of course not, but if we pray according to His will, then we know that what happens is what should happen.

But it goes on and says "God's face is against those who do evil." God sees our efforts or lack of them. He sees the choices we make. He sees the opportunities to do good that we pass up. He sees our choices for sin. For these people God's blessings are not promised. This is His righteous judgment on those who oppose Him. Our choices will have consequences in this world and the next. Peter has just explained how to live if we want to love life and see good days. But what happens if we still suffer?

1 Peter 3:13 asks the question, "Who will harm you if you follow good" (paraphrased)? The good we follow is Christ. There is no true harm that can come to us, because even in death we are joined to Him. Often, however, if we are good to people they will be good back. As Christians we are to be good to all. When people see this they may even be brought to Christ by watching the lives we lead.

Why Suffering for Christ Brings Blessings

Next, Peter explains that if we suffer for the sake of righteousness we should be happy. When Peter talks of happiness, think blessed. It isn't the suffering itself that should make us happy, but the cause of it. We shouldn't confuse this with suffering because we have been unkind jerks to people who believe differently than we do.

For example, if someone stands on a street corner shouting insults at people walking by who may be living a sinful life, and then they get yelled at or pushed away, that’s not persecution for Christ. That’s a consequence of being offensive. The Bible says to approach people with humility, "for such were some of you" (1 Corinthians 6:11).

Matthew 5:10 confirms Peter, when Jesus at the Sermon on the Mount, says, "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." When you are online, or out and about, and people mistreat you make sure what the cause really is. St. Augustine made an important point to heretics teaching in his time. He basically said that even if you die for your beliefs, that doesn't make you a true martyr for Christ. Those beliefs have to be valid. In essence he is saying, it's not the punishment but the cause that is important.

Peter also tells us not to be troubled or fearful because of their threats. I like what the Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary says,

"God alone is to be feared; he that fears God has none else to fear."

The Bible repeatedly reminds us that we are not to fear anything but God. Having learned to suffer well for Christ, we must now be ready to share the hope we have in Him.

How to Defend Your Faith with Grace

Peter explains in 1 Peter 3:15, that we should "sanctify the Lord in our heart." Sanctify means to set apart, so he is saying we need to place God in a holy and sacred place in our hearts. Our Lord should be the main focus of our lives. When someone asks us why we have hope, Peter says we should be "ready to give a defense."

The word defense here is the Greek word apologia. This is where we get the word, apologetics, from. It doesn't mean to apologize but to defend your beliefs. We should be able to respectfully, not argumentatively, give an explanation for our hope and faith. This is one of many reasons why Scripture study is so important. It helps us to do this.

The defense, Peter says, should be made with humility and meekness. We don't act like know-it-alls. We don't act like we have all the answers. We should have a reverence for God and a respect for others in our reply. Remember it is the Holy Spirit within us that "teaches us what to say" (Luke 12:12).

In 1 Peter 3:16, he continues to say that when we give this defense we should have a good conscience. In other words, we shouldn't have any bad thing we've done be hanging over us. We need to be righteous people. The world may accuse us of wrong doing, but our conscience will tell us that this is not true. The people accusing us and being mean to us will be ashamed when they realize, even if it is just in their hearts, that we have really done nothing wrong.

Enduring Trials with Faith in Christ

Finally, Peter tells us that it is better to suffer for doing good than evil, if it is God's will. Better to suffer with a clean conscience than one ridden with guilt. Jesus suffered, even though guiltless, because it was the will of God. How much more should we be willing to suffer for Him who died for us.

Isn't it interesting, that as soon as Peter told us that we could expect to love life and see good days he goes into a lengthy discussion of suffering? At the time of his writing, widespread persecution had not yet begun, though some believers (like Stephen and James) had already been killed for their faith. But Peter could see what was coming. Eventually, he and the other disciples along with Paul and many others would die for their faith.

Peter I am sure didn't want the faithful to lose hope. There could still be happiness and the capacity to love life. There could still be blessedness. Some of them would see a long life and Peter wanted to encourage them to live for their Savior, doing good whenever possible.

Peter's message is "other focused" not focused on the world's vision of a happy life. This is how to love life and see good days in Christ. His point above all is that God is always with you. He loves you and cares for you. Live righteous lives and then you will have nothing to fear. Your blessing may be here, but surely will be in Heaven.