
Ecclesiastes 2:17
So I hated life, because what is done under the sun was grievous to me, for all is vanity and a striving after wind.
1 Peter 3:8-17
Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.
1 Peter 3:10
For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days…”
What Makes the Good Life
1. Godly Relationships
1 Peter 3:8
Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.
…have unity of mind…
Acts 4:32
Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common.
… sympathy…
1 Corinthians 12:26
If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.
…brotherly love,
…a tender heart,
Ephesians 4:32
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
and a humble mind.
“Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.” (CS Lewis)
2. Good Responses
1 Peter 3:9-11
Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.
Luke 23:35-37
And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself.”
1 Corinthians 4:12-13
…When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we entreat…
3. God’s Presence
1 Peter 3:12
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
How To Make The Good Life A Reality
1 Peter 3:13-15
Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy…
Resources Cited
Grudem, Wayne A. 1 Peter: An Introduction and Commentary. Vol. 17. Tyndale New Testament Commentaries. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1988.
Kelsey, Marie Bowse, “Jonathan Roumie: I First Portrayed Jesus in My Long Island Backyard,” Ekstasis Magazine (12-21).
Merida, Tony. Basic Christianity in a Hostile World. https://idcraleigh.com/sermons/july-5-2020-1-peter-38-12-basic-christianity-in-a-hostile-world/
Thimmesh, Catherine. Team Moon (HMH Books for Young Readers, 2015).
Warren, Rick. The Purpose Driven Life. Zondervan, Grand Rapids, MI. 2002.