We often look for rewards. We look for rewards for doing something good. We look for rewards for achievements. We look for rewards for going above and beyond. We look for rewards for pleasing someone else. We look for rewards in love.
When we have the love of Christ, we are changed. When we love Christ and allow him to change us, we receive a reward, even one we perhaps had not initially sought. The question we must ask ourselves is, “Do we really, really want to change for the better?”
We hear people say, “I wish my life was better.” Our lives can be better. In today’s passage, Peter gives us a simple recipe for making our lives better. He quotes from Psalm 34, so it is not a new recipe. It is a recipe that has been handed down through the ages—one that God gave His people long ago.
God’s plan for a better life for each of us starts with love. God loves us. He desires us to love Him. When we love Him, we follow His plan, His recipe for life. Our lives are far better. As with everything else in life, it boils down to our commitment. Are we committed to God? Or are we committed to ourselves? Here’s the thing, when we are committed to God, we reap the reward of a better life than we ever would if we are committed to ourselves.
I pray we all commit to loving God. I pray we follow God’s recipe for a good life. I pray each one of us experience the love of God and reciprocate His love. Follow God’s plan. Follow the age-old recipe. Receive the reward God has for you. Live your best life. Love God. Love one another.
1 Peter 3:8-12 Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
Marty Pressey 