Introduction:

Notice in verse 10 of our text, I Peter 3:10 "he that will love life, and see good days”

For many people, most of their days are bad days.

Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 2: 17 “I hated life;”

Jacob when he was almost 130years old said in Genesis 47:9 “few and evil have the days of the years of my life.”

One writer said, "Life is a disease, and death is the only cure."

We asked, why is it that most people don’t act like they enjoy life and have good days?

Three choices that you can make about life.

1. You can ENDURE Life—like an animal in a steel trap, or

2. You can Escape Life- be constantly running from life, or

3. You can Enjoy Life—Now let us notice some truths that will Help us enjoy life and see good days.

I – PURSUED ATTAINMENT FOR A CHRISTIAN

Let us talk about the attainment that is pursued for a Christian.

Again, notice in verse 10a “For he that will love life, and see good days”

The words “that will” refers to having a desire.

Everyone wants to enjoy life and have good days, but they do not know how to go about it.

First, there must be a desire to see good days, and then they have to work at it if they want to enjoy life.

Have you ever heard the expression, that life is what you make out of it. That is very true and we are going to notice how to work at it.

II – PLAIN ATTITUDE FOR A CHRISTIAN

Having the right attitude in life toward people can aid you in enjoying life. Having a good attitude helps to make friends.

A. Attitude that is Harmonious – v.8a

Look at verse 8a ““Finally, be ye all of one mind” This is referring to unity and harmony.

Having one mind with all refers to common agreement between each other.

“Be ye all of one mind” involves an attempt that you need to consider a matter from the point of view of the other person.

This harmonious attitude also involves an attempt to find those things on which you can agree, and to give them prominence.

Illustration: There was a man visiting one day an insane asylum or an institution to shelter and support for those who are mentally ill, and the man noticed that all the insane people were in a field outside, but there was only one guard on the job. The visiting man asked the guard, “aren’t you afraid?” The guard replied, “absolutely not.” Then the man said, “don’t you believe that since you are the only one here, these people could over run you and break out of the asylum?” The guard confidently answered, “that is impossible.” Then the man asked the guard, “why is that impossible for these insane people run over you and break out of asylum?” The guard replied, “because lunatics do not unite.” Did you get the point, that if you are a genuine Christian you are expected to have a harmony attitude?

B. Attitude that is Compassionate – v.8b

Again, in verse 8b “having compassion one of another”

The word “compassion” refers to sympathetic.” It means to have fellow feelings.

We are living in this world where people are insensitive.

The compassionate person has the quality of entering the sorrow of others, to feel for them.

Jesus is a compassionate, the Lord enters the sorrow of others, Jesus feels what they feel.

Hebrews 4:14-16 “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. ¹⁵For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. ¹⁶Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

This verse, this half of this verse, is full of rich truth. Here we see that Jesus not only went through the same trials and temptations we do, but He was touched with the feeling of our infirmities. I love Hebrews 4:14-16 and am thankful to God for putting that Scripture in His inspired Word.

God is inviting us as His redeemed children to “BOLDLY” come before His throne of grace, to obtain mercy, to find grace to HELP in time of need. That is every day for me!!! I ALWAYS need God's help!!!

There is NOTHING that any human being has suffered through, that the Lord doesn't comprehend, because He is God. Jesus knows everything about you (Hebrews 4:13, “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.”).

C. Attitude that is Loving

Notice in verse 8c “love as brethren.”

Jesus said in John 13:34 “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.”

The phrase “love as brethren” is not agape love, but Phileo love. It speaks of brotherly love.

Unloving behavior among Christians are the scandals of our day.

We are to love our Christian family. Etc.

D. Attitude of Pitiful

Notice again in verse 8d “be pitiful.”

The word “pitiful” refers to tender hearted. Compassionate, to have pity.

Don’t be confused, this does not refers to looking pitiful or acting pitiful, but it refers to having a heart that is easy moved.

Illustration: A crippled boy was hurrying to catch a train. Carrying gifts under his arm, he was struggling with his crutches. Suddenly, a man bumped into him, knocking his parcels in all directions. The man then paused and scolded the boy for getting in his way. Another gentleman, seeing the youngster’s distress, quickly picked up the scattered gifts and slipped a dollar bill into his pocket, saying’ I’m sorry! I hope this makes up for your trouble.” The child who couldn’t remember being shown such kindness, called after him, “mister, thank you! And sir, are you Jesus.

E. Attitude of Courteousness

Notice again in verse 8e “be courteous.”

Watch out, we are living in a rude world. People are watching to the Christians.

Are you courteous in a restaurant, at the mall, or while driving?

The word “courteous” means being humble, opposite of pride.

If we expect people to be courteous unto us, we are to be courteous to them, this is part of enjoying life and seeing good days.

Illustration: A Good Reason for Politeness, A father said to his son. “My boy, treat everybody with politeness, even those who are rude to you, remember, you show courteous to others, not because they are a gentleman, but because you are one.”

III – PROPER ACTION FOR A CHRISTIAN

Bad attitudes lead to bad behaviors.

A. Action that we aren’t to do

Notice in verse 10a “For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:”

Apostle James talks about the destructive power of the tongue in James 3:1-6 “My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. ²For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. ³Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. ⁴Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. ⁵Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! ⁶And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.”

In verse 10 of our text, Peter talks about how we can do evil with our tongue.

Are you aware that it is evil to try to hurt people with words? It can bring a lot of damage to a friendship, to a family relationship, church fellowship, community and country leaders.

Words can hurt. Husband and wives can separate, innocent of crime can be accused of lifetime penalty, just by a small part of human body called tongue.

One will never be able to enjoy life and have good days, if they don’t know how to control their tongue.

James said in James 3:2 “For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.” This speaks about putting a bridle on your tongue.

B. Action that we are to do

1. What we must shun

Notice in v.11 “Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.”

We are told here that we are to do good, but we cannot do good if we do not eschew evil.

The word “eschew” means to stay away from or to avoid.

Example of this is the man named Job, the Bible describes Job in Job 1:1 “There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.”

Remember: you cannot play with fire without getting burned.

Example: David with Bathsheba (David did no shun evil, temptation); Joseph with Potiphar’s wife (Joseph eschewed or avoid evil, temptation)

2. What we must submit

Notice in verse 9 "Not rendering evil for evil or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.”

You cannot go around in this world trying to get even with everyone that does you wrong. And if you render evil for evil, you will never enjoy life and have good days.

Romans 12:19-21 “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. ²⁰Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. ²¹Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”

I Thessalonians 5:15 “See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.”

We are to submit people that do us wrong over to the Lord, because God can take care of people better than us. When we put our hands the issue and situation will grow bigger but in God’s control hand, the Lord surely perfectly solved.

3. What we must seek

Notice in verse 11 “Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.”

We are instructed to seek peace and work to have peace.

God hated those who sow discord in Proverbs 16:28

Proverbs 16:28 “A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.”

A perverse man sows’ strife, and a whisperer separates the best of friends. God hates discord because it violates the unity for which Jesus prayed in John 17. It damages the oneness of the body of Christ for which Paul prayed in Ephesians 4:1 –16.

Jesus in His sermon said in Matthew 5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”

When everyone seek peace or become peacemakers, there will be a pleasant atmosphere in the church according to Psalm 133:1-3 “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! ²It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; ³As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.” This is about excellency of Brotherly unity contrary to sowing discord.

IV – PARAMOUNT AWARENESS FOR A CHRISTIAN

Notice in verse 12 “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.”

A. God sees us with His eyes – v.12a

Notice in verse 12a “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous,”

The Lord sees us when we shun evil but the Lord also sees us when we do not give in to temptation and sin because we are at an evil place.

Proverbs 15:3 “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.”

B. God hears us with His ears – v.12b

Notice in verse 12b “and his ears are open unto their prayers.”

God not only hears our prayers, which is good, but God also hears us when we render railing for railing, that is mentioned on the second phrase in verse 9.

I Peter 3:9 “Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.”

The word “Railing” means to speak bitterly or complain violently.

God hears every word that we say when we are using our lips to hurt someone with our tongue.

V – PAINFUL AGAINST THE TRUTH FOR A CHRISTIAN

Notice in verse 12c “but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.”

The Holy God is against those that use their lips and life to do evil. We already discussed both of these.

Warning to all of us Christian: If you are a Christian, when you do wrong, you will reap in this walk of life.

Remember the principle of sowing and reaping as God’s law mentioned in Galatians 6:7

Galatians 6:7 “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”

If a person sows to hurt people with their lips, that person will reap what he sows in this walk of life

If a person sows to evil with their life, that person will reap consequences in this walk of life.

The Bible tells us that a person who sows evil can be forgiven according to I John 1:9

I John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

But be sure you are sincere asking God for forgiveness, when you confess you must mean it, but be aware that you cannot pray for a crop failure, confessing than repeatedly doing it all over again like playing with God, because the law of sowing and reaping is what you will reap in this walk of life.

Conclusion: Let us go back again in verse 10a “he that will love life, and see good days”

To sum it all up in a brief statement: Life is what you make out of it.

If you really want to enjoy life and good days, apply the principles that we have just looked at to your lives and your life will be whole lot better. This is the formula the enjoy life. God bless!