9 not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.10 For "He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit. 11 Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers; but the face of the LORD is against those who do evil." f(Fear of Lord)  Worth/Value issues   Pr 20:22

Rm 12:17 Repay no one evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the sight of all men.19 Do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. 1Th 5:5

I. We're born again to an inheritance/reward

(which we receive by consistently seeking and faithfully doing God's will)
1Pt 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope thru the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Col 3:23 heartily to the Lord 24 knowing from Lord you shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for you serve the Lord Christ

2Th 2:14 he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1Pe 5:10 God of all grace, who has called us to his eternal glory in Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, make you perfect... 2Pe 1:3 His divine power has given us all things...life and godliness, thru the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue

II. We are called to be holy and worthy of the glory of our reward

Eph 4:1...walk worthy of the calling...you are called, with all humility and meekness, with patience, bearing with one another in love
1Pt 2:19 For this is commendable...21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: 22 " Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth"; 23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;
2Tim 1:9 Who has saved us, and called us with an holy calling...according to his own purpose and grace...before the world began,

Eph 1:14 HS is the first installment of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of his glory
Eph 1:18 understanding enlightened; that you may know hope of his calling, the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints
Mt 5:5  Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Mr 10:17...Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?
Mt 19:29 forsaken houses, brothers/sisters/father/mother/wife/children, lands, for my name’s sake...100x and inherit everlasting life.
Mt 25:34...Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

III. We miss out on eternal glory by following temporal/instincts/impulses/feelings/tantrums

Mt 22:8 they which were called were not worthy14 many called..few chosen  Lk 14:24 none of those called shall taste of my supper
Eph 5:5 you know, that no immoral, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom
1Cor 6:7 why not rather accept hurt?..8..instead you do hurt/wrong...9...the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God. Do not be deceived. Neither idolaters 10 revilers, will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you 12 But you were washed...
Gal 5:19 fruit flesh...hatred, contentions, wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, and the like...not inherit the kingdom cx HS fruit

IV. We gain glory by consistently seeking and faithfully doing God's will

Lk 22:42 "Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done."
Num 12:1 Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses...3  (Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men on earth.) 7  My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all My house. why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses? 9  And the anger of the Lord was kindled against them; 13 Moses cried to the Lord, saying, Heal her now, O God, I beseech thee.
Num 16:4  when Moses heard it, he fell upon his face 15 And Moses was very angry, and said to the LORD...
Lk 23:34 Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." 

Flee Temptation..Endure Trials 1Cor 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except...but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
Heb 6:12 be not slothful...but thru faith and patience inherit  the promises 9:15 called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance
Rom 12:20 On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Rev 21:7  He that overcomes shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:

1. Why are we tempted to hurt others when we've been hurt? Why is it difficult to let God fight our battles?
2. Why are some people not motivated by rewards? Why would God seek to motivate us with something we don't care for?
3. What is the correct response when we think we're treated wrongfully? What happens if we fail to respond correctly to God's test?
4. How can we overcome our natural, instinctive response when “wrongfully treated”? See 1Pt 2:19-22
5. How can you best respond to the difficulties God graciously sends into your life? What if you've already failed to respond correctly?