Have You Secret Hopes for the Punishment of God to Fall on Some?

1 Peter 2:1

Rid yourselves, therefore, of all malice, and all guile, insincerity, envy, and all slander.

According to the Google, malice means “the intention or the desire to do evil”.  Peter is calling upon his readers to rid themselves of all such intentions.  It comes with a big “therefore”.  Return to chapter 1, read that through again and it becomes obvious why.  The desire to do evil has no place in the work of Jesus. 

Well, thank you pastor, that is a tremendous grasp of the obvious.  At first glance, that may be true.  But look again.  Peter does not only speak of the joy and wonder that comes from a relationship with Jesus Christ, he counts the cost in the lives of the disciples as well.  Vs. 6 talks about some of the various trials.  Vs. 17 talks about living in reverent fear among the exiles.  Living for Christ will cost people something in their relationships with those who do not believe.

This may have been especially true in the time of Peter as the teachings of Jesus were beginning to separate out those who would be called “Christians” from the Jews in the synagogues. 

It can be easy to come to the faith with malice in the heart, even unintentional.  The believers have been ransomed, they have an inheritance, Jesus died for them.  The unbelievers, well, there is a strong streak of condemnation of the unbeliever in the Bible.  And if that is not treated with the utmost respect and gentleness, it can easily become a club to be wielded against those who do not believe. 

At least, it is a club in the hearts of the believer.  Remember, malice is the intention to do evil.  If there is someone for whom we harbor a secret desire to see them punished by God at the end of time, therein lies malice.  Sharing God’s Word is never about the advancement of punishment for the wicked.  It is always about the spread of God’s love.  Punishment is above our pay grade.  Best to leave it up there.