Blessings for evil

Peter is a great guy to read during an election year. 

For example, how’s this, from 1 Peter 2:17: “Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.” Or maybe 3:9: “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.” Or even 3:15-16: “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.”

The way we Christians do political discourse isn’t always very Godly. My friends on Facebook are very willing to say insulting things about President Obama, or Hillary Clinton, or, depending who they are, anyone opposed to Ted Cruz. The memes go beyond insulting sometimes, and get close to slander. And if you’re a squeamish person, don’t read the comments. It only takes a few before they degenerate to name-calling and profanity. And that’s the Christians. The unbelievers can be worse.

Peter would say, “Show proper respect to everyone. Repay their insults with blessing. Give your answers to why you believe with gentleness and respect.” Why? Because that’s how we inherit God’s blessing. That’s how we shame them for their slander. That’s how we make people wonder what makes us so different.

Someone else's snark doesn't justify mine. God has higher expectations of me than that.