When men speak evil of you

"For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing." I Peter 3:12-17

Quick Note: We have been asked numerous times, how we know the number of times others (sometimes evil people, other times ignorant people who listen to gossip) have called us a "cult." One way is by our tracking the search terms and I.P. addresses of those who make inquiries of our family’s ministry efforts to the local community. Often times, these search times are typed as:

"bateman cult – bowling green" or "william cody bateman – religious cult" or "bateman family cult" or any variation of the above.

Why bother? The answer is simple enough. Because our God and Lord, Jesus Christ says we are to rejoice when men say all manner of evil against us – for HIS NAME’S SAKE! You see, all true followers of Jesus Christ (all who are truly born of the Spirit by repentance and faith in Jesus Christ alone) are the "rewards for HIS SUFFERINGS." If they murdered Jesus Christ; why should His children think they might not be killed all the day long too! (i.e., Rifqa Bary is a modern day hero of the faith!)

This, my friend, is HOW YOU KNOW that you belong to HIM, Jesus Christ! If you are not being attacked or ridiculed or being persecuted for your faith… maybe its because your faith is DEAD WORKS.

If you are NOT suffering for Christ’ sake, maybe you do not really belong to Him either. Better to examine yourselves to make sure you "are in the faith" that the Apostle Paul spoke of long ago!

Has anyone ever leveled a false accusation against you, or your family – for simply standing on the absolutes of God’s word, the Bible?

According the wise counsel offered by the Lord’s apostle Peter; false accusations are a very real part of living for and following after Jesus Christ as a disciple. In Peter’s short letter to the brethren scattered about the middle-east (and all the way to Bowling Green, Kentucky) – he shares both comfort and courage to every reader of his beautiful epistle… and warning:

"For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil." I Peter 3:12

(see also Dueteronomy 13:18, II Chronicles 16:9, Psalm 34:15, 34:17, 69:33, 140:6, Proverbs 15:29)

It should never surprise the Christian man or woman, that people might speak evil of you. These things should be expected (see II Corinthians 4:6-10)! Jesus Christ Himself was our example and in fact, reminded us of this fact. (see John 7:7; 25:18; I John 3:13). False accusers will say evil of you and I because they hate Jesus Christ!

Is it possible then, that you might be slandered for doing good? Yes, of course. Now, take a look at the next few verses:

"And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled… For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing." I Peter 3:13-14, 17

These verses imply a great teaching – reminding all believers that others will harm you, even when you are "followers of that which is good!" (see v. 13) Our response? Don’t fear their terror and don’t be troubled either! Does this seem impossible to you? When controlled by the Spirit, all thing are possible! (see Psalm 91:5, I John 4:18, II Timothy 1:7)

Finally, Peter explains the very reason Christians suffer at the hands of false accusers – in order to give account of our faith in Jesus Christ, His Gospel and our hope:

"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ." I Peter 3:15-16

When false accusation come your way, what "answer" is that Christian purposed to give? It’s "the hope that is in you." (see v. 15) As true Christian followers of The Way – we know that answer:

"Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you." I Peter 1:13-25

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