1 Peter 3:13

1 Peter 3:13 ‘And who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good?'

‘And' -In view of the fact that God watches with favor upon and eagerly listens to the prayers of the righteous. (Romans 8:31).

‘who is there to harm you' -Points to Note: This could mean two things: 1. Usually people who do the right thing are not harmed. ‘Harm' is not the normal expectation for those who do what is right. 2. Or, even if we are afflicted, our persecutors can never permanently harm us (Matthew 10:28).

‘prove zealous' -‘A man may have more than one attitude to goodness. Goodness may be to him. burden; goodness may be to him. bore; goodness may be to him something which he vaguely and sentimentally and nebulously desires, but the price of which he is not willing to pay in sweat and effort….”Love goodness with that passionate intensity with which the most fanatical patriot loves his country”. Sir John Seeley said, “No heart is pure that is not passionate; no virtue is safe which is not enthusiastic.” It is only when. man falls in love with goodness that the wrong things lose their fascination and their power.' (Barclay p. 271)

Zeal is to be. mark of the Christian (Titus 2:14; 1 Corinthians 14:12). Unfortunately, the cause of Christ suffers when professed Christians are more zealous for their jobs, hobbies, etc…than. relationship with God. Oh, if we were just as fanatic about God as we are about lesser things. Are you. ‘zealot' for the will of God? Are you. ‘zealot' for goodness?

‘prove' -It isn't enough to wish or dream that you would do the right thing.