Inherit a Blessing

8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.
12 For 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.
1 Peter 3:8-12

How do we inherit a blessing? What have we done to deserve that blessing? What is that blessing that we inherit?

Peter, who has been speaking of relationships, now moves to the more general category of our relationship with others. He admonishes us to have compassion, love the brethren, be pitiful, and be courteous. Continuing on, we are not to render evil for evil or railing for railing, but rather blessing. That's a tall order! As a matter of fact it is rather impossible for us apart from the grace of God. However, the end result of living this way is to inherit a blessing.


Does that mean that if we are good enough in our actions toward others we will inherit this blessing? No, actually the reverse is true. One of the signs that we are to inherit this blessing is that we desire to live Godly lives which are characterized by our Christ-like relationships with others.


What have we done to deserve that blessing? Nothing! By God's grace we are given this blessing because Christ already made the payment necessary to receive it. We should not chaff at God's command to return evil with good, and railing with calm quiet words. God has, through Christ, forgiven us of our monstrous debt of sin; what could anyone possibly do to us that would be greater than our sin before God? As Christ has forgiven us, so we must also forgive others.


What is the blessing that we inherit? We inherit eternal life in heaven with Christ. Nothing we could ever hope to do would qualify us for such a blessing; only in Christ is it possible.


Pray that God would help you today to forgive those who oppose and offend you, remembering that Christ has forgiven you of a much greater offense toward Him.