“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.” 1 Peter 3:9
Our fisherman friend Pete gets rather sermon-on-the-mounty in 1 Peter 3:9 when he tells me, “Marcos, don’t pay evil for evil, don’t talk smack when others are badmouthing you” [Marcos Standard Version].
But it is the next phrase, which sounds rather pentateuchy, that jumps out at me.
“But, rather, use that mouth of yours to bless, because this is your calling.”
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.
My calling? Where did that come from?
I did not know I had a calling to bless.
Ah, Marcos, of course you did!
Gen 12.1-3.
God said it to my great grandpa Abraham, and to me:
“I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.” (12.2b)
“… and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” (12.3b)
Thank you Peter, for keeping me focused on who I am and why I am here.