March 26, 2017
All Scripture from NIV unless otherwise documented
Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that
those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 1 Peter 3: 13 – 17
Americans have it pretty easy when it comes to our faith. And even though we live in a time when there is a lot of social and political antagonism toward the Christian faith, it doesn’t often filter down to us on a personal basis. Those who are anti-Christian primarily keep their focus on separation of church and state issues, however misguided they might be. That’s not to say that some aren’t targeted for persecution, for indeed there have been individuals and churches targeted because of their faith. But for the most part, we don’t suffer for our faith.
That wasn’t true in the world in which Peter was writing, and it isn’t true in much of the world today. When Peter wrote to the churches scattered throughout the countries he addressed in verse one, he was writing to people who lived in dictatorial lands who were under Roman control. I read someplace that it was ok for believers to proclaim a faith in Jesus as God, but to call Jesus Lord brought them undermuch persecution because Caesar was considered to be the only Lord they couldworship. Wikipedia states: “Early Christians were persecuted for their faith at the hands of both Jews from whose religion Christianity arose and the Romans who controlled much of the land across which early Christianity was distributed” Further, “Christian missionaries as well as converts to Christianity have been the targets of persecution ever since the emergence of Christianity, sometimes to the point of being martyred for their faith.” The website goes on to state: “In the 20th century, Christians have been persecuted by various groups, including the Islamic Ottoman Empire in the form of the Armenian Genocide, the Assyrian Genocide and the Greek Genocide, as well as atheistic states such as the Soviet Union and North Korea. During World War II members of some Christian churches were persecuted in Nazi Germany for resisting Nazi ideology. In more recent times the persecution of Christians has increased in India according to International Christian Concern.
The Christian missionary organization Open Doors (UK) estimates 100 million Christians face persecution, particularly in Muslim-majority countries such as Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Peter, writing to believers who were suffering for their faith, and by extension to us who suffer very little for our faith, gave some instructions on how to be a witness for Christ. The first thing Peter said was to be eager to do good. I think that it is true in our country that if you strive to do right and to be a good person that you will not find a whole lot of opposition or persecution directed at you.
But even if you do, isn’t that what God has called you to, to do good? Peter stated in verse 9 not to repay evil with evil or insult with insult. The Apostle Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 5: 15 “Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.” He wrote in Galatians 6:9 “Let us not become weary in doing good” and the psalmist wrote in Psalm 37: 3 “Trust in the Lord and do good.”
Chances are for most of you that if you are eager to do good, no harm will come to you. But even if you do have to suffer for doing what is good, Peter said that you are blessed.
This word blessed is the same word used by Jesus in Matthew 5 where He said, “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” The word blessed means “lengthened” or “enlarged”. It conveys not only the meaning of happy, but honored by God. (MacArthur) Those who suffer because of their righteousness, for doing what is right, will be blessed by God.
The question I guess you need to consider this morning is, are you willing to suffer persecution for doing right in this life in order to be blessed by God in the next? I should certainly hope so.
Then Peter made an interesting statement. “Do not fear what they fear, do not be frightened.” Verse 14 I had to read that verse several times and in several different versions to try and grasp what Peter was saying here. The New American Standard version translates this verse: “And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled.” The Christian Standard Bible has an interesting take on this verse. “Do not fear what they fear or be disturbed.” Have you ever noticed that people are afraid of what they don’t understand? I particularly think that this is true with the Christian faith and the Bible. Unfortunately, until someone confesses Christ and is filled with the Holy Spirit, they remain in darkness so to speak, and fear what they don’t know.
Out of fear of what they don’t understand, they persecute or intimidate those who do good in the name of Christ. Have you ever been challenged concerning your faith? Have you ever had to defend your faith to someone who didn’t believe and who was antagonistic towards it? That can be a challenging task if you are not prepared to do so. And yet, Peter said in verse 15: “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”
I would say that this is especially true for young people today who are secular college bound. You need to have a good grounding in your faith because you will be challenged and tested, if not directly, indirectly from all around. But I also think that it is important for all believers to know what they believe and why they believe it, not only so they can give an answer to others, but when times of persecution and suffering comes, they will be able to remind themselves of what they believe and why. This is a simple matter of apologetics, not apologizing for your faith, but being able to defend your faith. And notice how you are to defend your faith, with gentleness and respect. Reminds of me the words of Solomon, “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 15: 1
There is a right way and a wrong way to defend your faith to others, and it isn’t by being a bully or beating people over the head with your bible. Know you’re Scriptures, yes, but share them with gentleness and respect, “keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” Verse 16 The reality is that you are more likely to win someone to Christ by your behavior than your words. Like I have said many times, you are the only Bible that a lot of people read. If they don’t like what they have been reading (in your life and in your approach to witnessing) then it is highly unlikely that getting into an argument with someone about your faith is going to convince them that you are right.
Also remember that it is your job to plant seeds and to water them, but it is God’s place to make them grow and it is the Holy Spirit who brings people’s faith to fruition. And in living your life for Christ, Peter states that “it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.” In other words, be willing to suffer for doing good, just as Christ did. The alternative is to denounce Christ and do evil.