Suffering for the Glory of God

1 Peter 4:12-19
V. 12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;
Peter returns to the main issue of this letter, and that is to address the suffering of the church for the cause of Christ. As we see God’s will begin, or continue to, take shape in our lives, we begin to understand just how little we do understand. As we leave the old world behind us and strive to walk in the will of God, we should remember that these steps may be addressed with misunderstanding and even hatred by others. Those still outside of Christ see believers as weak willed, and judgmental, while still others see believers as good people as long as they keep their faith to themselves. God calls us to be none of the above, but to boldly make a stand for what we believe and to understand the word of God, and His will for our lives that we would have an answer for why we believe.
Common sense tells us that if we tell someone that their life’s course is wrong, being centered upon them and not on Christ, how do you think they will react? Matthew 10:22 says; “And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.” As we live in a world where prayer has been taken out of schools, and the Ten Commandments are removed from public view, how can we think it strange when these trials come upon us for our faith in Christ? As we study the rest of this lesson we will look to Peter’s insight on how to endure these fiery trials.
V. 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s suffering, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.
James says in his epistle letter in 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall in various trials. When certain things happen in our lives that we do not understand, care for, nor enjoy, Teresa and I have begun to respond with the phrase, “Praise the Lord”. As ridiculous as that may sound at the time it is uttered, and no matter how inappropriate it sounds considering the situation, we are admitting that we no not understand all that we are going through and we are trusting in God’s wisdom.
A good example of one suffering for the cause of Christ can we found in Acts 5:33-42, when the apostles were ordered not to preach the name of Jesus and were beaten and released. Their response is found in verse 41, So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.
We look forward to the second coming of Christ, I think looking forward in putting it mildly, maybe long for would be a better choice of words. At that time His glory will be revealed, and our suffering will be over. In second Timothy 2:12 Paul writes; If we endure, We will also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us.
This is the hope we are all to have as we face the fiery trials, that we are doing the will of the Father. That we are a witness of the truth that is in us, that we will be found in that truth when His glory is revealed, and that Christ will continually remember us before the Father, both in the hereafter, and today.
I add this thought that when others come to Christ and Christ’s glory is revealed in their lives, that our joy shall increase, and our suffering will not seem in vain. For nothing is to stir our hearts more, save our own salvation, then to witness the coming of others into the Kingdom of God.
V. 14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.
To be reproached for the name of Christ, is to be reproached for being who we are called to be, a Christian, that is, for being Christ like. This is the highest honor to which anyone can arrive to in this life therefore Peter tells us we are blessed. There are those who strive for fortune and fame, expending all their energy for the goal they have set for themselves, for the reward of a greater paycheck, or medals. Oh that we Christians, would have that same fervor for the cause of Christ.
As the Devine Spirit rested upon Jesus, so does it upon His believers, and we in Him. This is our source of happiness and peace in all sorts of trials that propels us to face the next day and the next trial. It should be our prayer to thank God for the peace and joy that we rest in. As we pray for others we are to pray that God, through His Spirit would rest upon those in trouble that His peace may be found in them.
As God is spoken evil of, we are to continue to glorify God with our witness, in both our lives and our speech. It is too easy to go along with the crowd, when it becomes uncomfortable to make a stand for what we know to be the truth. In our witness of the truth that lives in us we continually glorify God.
What, then, is Peter saying? The call to Christ is a call to come and die. Part of the dying with Christ includes persecution for Christ. But the Christian is not alone in persecution. While the world is heaping up insult and shame, God is placing His Spirit of glory upon them. It is no surprise that this is the reported experience of many martyrs of the first centuries of the church. And because they have He identifies with them through His Spirit. Thus Peter can say, “Praise God that you bear that name, for which you are suffering!” Rejection is never pleasant, nor is it to be sought, but when it comes out of faithfulness to Christ it brings with it the presence of the Spirit. It is this idea that our strange expression in times of trial brings out. And it is in this, not the suffering itself, that a Christian can truly rejoice and praise God.
V. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or a busybody in other’s people’s matters.
Peter is reminding his readers that the reason that they are suffering is not for the offences that they have committed against mankind. This also can be taken as a warning to stay the course and act in a manner not to bring suffering upon them selves. Of the list above we have no problem with sustaining from murder, theft, and for the most part evil doing. But when it comes to the last item on this list I had to say ouch as conviction came upon me. Proverbs 26:17 says; He who meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.
Meddling in another’s life is likened to murder, in that any opportunity you have to witness to this person is dead. By being a busybody you are stealing a chance for God to use you as an instrument in leading another to Christ. The natural reaction to suffering at the hands of another is to strike back, to get even, but the Christian response is to suffer in silence and take your concerns to the Lord.
As Christians we are to remember that there is one who has taken the suffering for our sins, so that we do not have to. Jesus is the sinless one who understands what it is to suffer doing what the Father wanted Him to do.
V. 16 yet if one suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but under that name let him glorify God.
If we are persecuted because we have embraced the Christian faith, we are not to be ashamed, but we are to glorify God for this reason, for Christ suffered because He was holy, and Christians suffer for their resemblance to Him.
V. 17 For the time has come for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?
This verse mentions a part of Christianity we do not like to talk about, but it is an important part of our growth to become what God desires for us to be, for it is not our perception of Christianity that is the ultimate goal for the church, but God’s. It is discipline and judgment that shows that we are indeed of the family of God, and purifies us to live more in the character of that family. The final judgment has begun, but it has begun with the purification of God’s people, just as it happened in the Old Testament. It will be consummated, however, not in condemnation for His people, we are His family and will be saved after purification, but in terrible conclusive judgments upon unbelievers, which Jesus described in verse 24 and 25 in Matthew’s gospel and in John’s picturesque visions received and relayed to us in Revelation 15-16:20.
I still do like the idea of judgment, but our suffering does not mean that we are more sinful. Since we are committed to Christ, the persecution we suffer is a sign that we are a part of the household of God. As a loving Father, He is purifying His family for our own good. How many of us can remember hearing our own parents tell us they are doing something we think is totally unfair for “our own good”. At the time I thought if you were that concerned about what was good for me than you would let me have my own way, how often I learned that my own way was exactly the last thing that I needed. This is a sign of our belonging to a Father who knows indeed what is best for us. We may not always enjoy the experience, but we can rejoice that we are among those who are facing judgment now, being purified for our preparation for our life in heaven, rather then among those who will suffer the full wrath of the judgment of God later.
V. 18 And “If the righteous man is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and sinner appear?”
This general quote from Proverbs 11:31 gives us the idea that is suffering and judgment come upon the good people, what hope is there for the wicked? But the unbeliever points to our suffering as their case against Christianity. Having to pass through trying chastisements, as David for his sin, the righteous man has always more or less of trial, but the issue is certain, and entrance in to the kingdom of heaven will come. The scarcely marks the severity of the ordeal, and the unlikelihood of the righteous sustaining it, save for the grace of God.
V.19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will do right and entrust their souls to a faithful creator.
We suffer for righteousness sake, according to the will of God, and are not repay evil for evil, but trust God. We are to place our lives confidently in Christ’s hands, who being our savior is also our keeper, and will keep those entrusted to Him. God will fulfill His promises and withhold no good thing from those who walk uprightly.

Serving for God's Glory

1 Peter 4:7-11

V. 7 But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.
I think that Peter is keeping the thought of the flood before him as he continues in his letter to the church, as he parallels Gen. 6:13, where God says to Noah: “The end of all flesh has come before me,” The church saw that because of their believe they were suffering at the hands of former friends, also that they saw that the wicked still flourished. What Peter is alluding to is that the wicked will not also enjoy the lifestyle that they have chosen. Granted sin does bring its temporary pleasures, but they are just that, temporal. The things of the Kingdom of God are everlasting, and it is these things that we should endeavor to pursue.
In a few years after Peter wrote this letter, Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans. Literally the end was at hand, the end of the Levitical priesthood, the end of the temple, and the whole Jewish economy. In relationship to our day, we look for the second coming of Christ, when the church as we know it will be taken from this earth. Granted the buildings and books will remain, which will lead those left behind to God though Christ, but the true church of Christ will be gone. With all the different churches out there how are we to know which is the true church of Christ? The true church of Christ is a body of believers, who have admitted that they are sinners and have accepted the gift of salvation in the person of Jesus Christ.
So knowing that the end is at hand, we are to be watchful. In another thought we must realize that we may still suffer the fate of the unrighteous while still here in this life. Therefore Peter is telling his readers that they are to watch against all occasion to sin, do all they can to further the Kingdom of God, and pray for the supporting hand of God to be upon them that they may be saved from the wrath of God upon the unrighteous and be watchful for an opportunity to witness of the saving grace of God.
V. 8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”
A loving spirit leads us to look past the faults of others, to forgive offences against us, and to understand that the greater goal is not our suffering but the salvation of the sinner. By prayer, and love for them we may become instrumental in leading them to Christ and away from sin.
Proverbs 10:12 says; Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all sin. We have a choice to expose the sins of others and further the conflict between them and God, or love them and look past their sin and do right. Compare the conduct of Shem and Japheth to Noah in Gen. 9:23, in contrast to Ham’s exposure of his father’s shame. We ought to cover other’s sins only where love itself does not require the contrary. They could have joined in with Ham judgment of their father, our do what they did not looking upon their father’s sin, but covering Him as he slept.
So while others continue in their sin we are to pray for them, not expose their sins to others, and look for an opportunity to lead them out of their sin and to the cross of Jesus where they can lay their sin down and seek forgiveness.
V. 9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.
Always be ready to divide what you have been blessed with, with those in need. Be open to the urging of the Holy Spirit to give to others, not only material needs but love and understanding as well.
Do not give just because it is a command, but do it from your love for God and man, in this way we give without grumbling. I always notice those who grumble about being asked to do certain things but do it anyhow, and those who do not grumble but they also not do the task either. Which would you have rather have around? God wants those who do not need to be asked but see the need and do what is right.
Giving to others also means not holding it over their heads, and reminding them over and over what you did for them. Also not reminding God what you did for another, for God knows full well what you did and not only that, but knowing your heart, knows the motive behind your actions. For it is not enough to do good but to do good for the right reason.
V. 10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
The gift that Peter talks of is any blessing of grace, from God. Rather it is in the means of gifts for the work of the church, or any bounty from the mercy of God. These gifts are given to us not that we may use them for our own blessing alone, but to be a blessing to others as well. By ministering to one another we are simply taking what is given to us and using it to bless others, or applying the gifts that God has given to us in a way that He intends for them to be used. This means that we are to pray about what it is that God wants us to do with what we have been given. This not only applies to wealth, but gifts of the Spirit. A singer does not receive a gift of voice to hear their own vocies in the shower, nor does a preacher receive the gift to preach just to preach to himself. Abundances are not received in order that they can be merely saved but shared with others as God directs, for we are simply stewards of the gifts of God, to be used in His work, and to promote His glory.
V. 11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of god. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
As we see in Romans 12:6 and here, we are to speak, speak with the spiritual maturity that God has granted to us, and not out of fear or lack of knowledge. Wisdom is not only knowing when to speak but when not to.
It is also to mean that we are to speak and minister according to the Word of God, and not any other doctrine. The “oracles of God” that Peter refers to are what we refer to as Old Testament writings. What He is saying is that if you are not speaking as the Lord God inspires you to speak, than speak form the written word of God. Jesus being our ultimate example of how to minister to others did this in His ministry here on earth.
When Jesus said; “but I say to you,” you knew you were about to hear a bit of wisdom inspired from the Holy Spirit, complimenting from the writings that the people themselves knew. By doing the will of God in ministering the gifts that are given to us we bring glory to God, and further the Kingdom of God, but when we give out of our own needs, and glory we rob God of the Glory and ourselves of the blessings that God has for us. Also we risk being of further use to God, for we are stewards of God’s gifts and as wise stewards we are to administer God’s blessings for the glory of God.

Our Conduct Before God and Man

1 Peter 4:1-6
V. 1 Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin.
(since Christ suffered) Here is our pattern for suffering; we are to have the same mind as Christ towards suffering with patient willingness. We are to have the same forgiving spirit, as found in Luke 23:34 when Jesus was on the cross. “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” Also the same meekness and gentleness that Christ displayed, with thoughts of the others well being.
(For he who suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin.) This passage is to be taken literally. Those who suffer generally reflect on their own conduct. They become humbled, and begin to fear approaching death. They begin to beat themselves up for their past failures, and sins. I have realized through such behavior that the best way to put the past behind me is to forgive and walk in the victory that I have received from Christ. In this way I am becoming able to walk in the present and not in the past. For walking in the past can hinder our walk in the present.
In suffering they begin to lose the taste for sins of the flesh, becoming solely focused on the suffering at hand, and their impending death and judgment. Therefore they call upon God’s mercy and are delivered from sin.
The act of suffering for Christ makes the attractiveness of sin empty. We as believers have put our trust in Christ, and see the folly in returning to sin. If Christ is the one we are really following, and He has become our great example, than suffering will separate us more and more from sinful acts, until we come to a point when we are finished with the attractiveness of sin.
We may in fact still be sinning because we have not chosen to suffer and be done with sin. Perhaps when we come to the point of choice, we choose to compromise and are amazed that we are not able to overcome temptation. While we have chosen Christ and are making good progress in the battle against sin, we have not yet died. Therefore we may be longing for perfection that will only be ours in resurrection, and live in spiritual maturity that is possible in this world.
V. 2 that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lust of men, but for the will of God.
Again seeing Christ as our example and forsaking the flesh and doing the will of God. (Luke 22:42 “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours be done.”) His will being, that now that we have obtained the truth, we are to live according to the truth, though we should suffer for it, coming down to whom will we fear. Will we fear God and walk in His will for our lives, our will we fear man and walk in his will for our lives. One will save us from eternal suffering, while the other may save us from temporary suffering.
Psalm 19:7-9 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; The statues of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; The fear of the Lord is clean enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether;
V. 3For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles-when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries.
This was the life that those who Peter was writing to had lived, and was still the state of those around them. The unbelievers had not changed their lifestyles at all, only the believer had changed, and were changed by the power of God. Even as citizens of heaven, we must still walk in the world, becoming light to a dark world and an example of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Since we have spent our past living for the flesh, we should now live our lives living for God.
Is this to mean that we have become boring? According to the world standards perhaps, but the peace and the joy in our hearts, are to be exhibited in a way that attracts others to us. For it is more pleasing to be around someone who is joyful, even in suffering, than someone who bellyaches about the world around them, doing nothing to change their surroundings. We also may gain an opportunity to witness to the joy in our hearts, when others become curious about it.
V. 4 In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you.
I am sure that we have heard it all you think you are too good for us, they are part of the God squad, and the list can go on. Others may feel that you are rejecting them rather than that we are choosing the will of God for our lives.
They see it as we are giving up something to walk in a way that is pleasing to God, and many turn from God because they see this as too great a price to pay. We see our former lifestyles as leading to death and destruction, and others see it as releasing energy (letting off a little steam) or having a good time. It is this misunderstanding that leads them to speak evil of you and to look for every opportunity to witness against you. Take the fact that stories of leaders that have fallen are still used as examples for others not to follow in Christ footsteps.
V. 5 They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
Our lives that have been given to us by God and it is this by which we shall be judged. What did we do with the life that was given us, with the gifts that were given us? Only one has earned the right to judge both those alive to Christ and those still dead in their sins, and that is Christ. Though I have been forgiven of my sins I still fear to have my life opened before The Lamb of God and the truth of what I did with this life that He gave me revealed. I pray that I have taken the gifts that God has given me and applied it to the work of the kingdom of God, but I know that this has not always been the case, and this causes me to have anxiety about facing Christ. Not that my salvation should be altered, but knowing that my life is pale in comparison to Christ, and I did not always act in a way that advances His kingdom.
Those still dead in their trespasses and sins have no savior to call upon, so they shall be judged outside of Christ, and have no salvation to be altered, but an eternity to live a life separated from God, as they chose to live their lives on earth.
V. 6 For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
Those who are dead are those who heard the gospel preached while they were alive, and were given an opportunity to live according to God in the spirit.
Out of God’s compassion for men the gospel was preached to the dead, but as referenced to in chapter three verses 19, 20, God’s compassion will not always be available to men. Gen. 6:3 And the Lord said, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh; yet his days will be numbered one hundred and twenty years. I have joked that the meaner you are the longer God lets you live. Though there is no biblical truth to this, it is encouraging that the spirit of God strives with unbelievers all of their days here on earth, that they would come to know Jesus as their savior and be given an opportunity to live according to God in the spirit, rather than spend an eternity separated from God, as they chose to live their lives. Not only that but as believers the Spirit of God strives with us that we may be faithful to the will of God, so that we will not fear to have our lives on display at the judgment seat. After seeing the antics of such NFL stars as Randy Moss displayed over and over again on our big screen, I do not want my antics to be displayed on the jumbotron, in the stadium of heaven.

Christ's Suffering and Ours

1 Peter 3:18-22

V. 18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but being made alive by the spirit.

Jesus being the sinless lamb of God, spotless and without blemish upon His character, and His walk with the Father, took on our sin and died in our stead. For by one man sin came into the world and by one man sin was taken out of the world. We may not see the fullness of this in our lifetime, but we can walk in the victory over sin and death by a relationship with God through the Son. By bringing us to God Christ has become our mediator to God, an intercessor who prays for us to the Father that we may walk in the freedom of His victory over sin, in a world that has not discovered the freedom that we walk in.

His suffering was also an example to us, as proof to blessings received for suffering for well doing. There is nothing that we go through in this life that Christ does not go through with us, or has gone through before us. We ask the question; what would Jesus do? Instead perhaps we should ask; what did Jesus do? By searching the scriptures we can see how Christ answered temptation, and was able to walk free of sin. But He was the Son of God, you may say, and you are what? We are heirs of salvation, because of our offering of the sacrifice that Christ provided. Furthermore we die daily to sin are alive to Christ, forevermore.

V. 19, 20 by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through the water.

These two verses have led to a lot of false doctrine that suggests that the dead have a chance of forgiveness, or that all shall be saved. Most Christians, however, have accepted two interpretations. I will include them both being unsure of this difficult passage myself. The bigger question I will try to address is why Peter would include these verses to a suffering church.

According to the first, Christ went to Hades in spirit between His death and resurrection, and proclaimed the triumph of His mighty work on the cross. There is a disagreement among proponents of this view as to whether the spirits in prison were believers, unbelievers or both. But there is a fairly general agreement that the Lord Jesus did not preach the gospel to them. That would involve the doctrine of the second chance which is nowhere taught in the Bible. Those who hold this view often link this passage with Ephesians 4:9 where the Lord is described as descending “into the lower parts of the earth.” They cite this as added proof that He went to Hades in the disembodied state and heralded His victory at Calvary. They also cite the words of the Apostles’ Creed- “descended into hell.”

The second interpretation is that Peter is describing what happened in the days of Noah. It was the spirit of Christ who preached through Noah to the unbelieving generation before the flood. They were not disembodied spirits at the time, but living men and women who rejected the warnings of Noah and were destroyed by the flood. So now they are spirits in the prison of Hades.

By whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison. The whom is referring to the Spirit of God, who enables us all to preach the word of God, and enabled Jesus to go to the Spirits in prison and preach. The spirits Christ preached to were the same people that Noah preached to. They rejected Noah’s message and were drowned because of it. They are now disembodied spirits in prison, awaiting the final judgment.

How do we know that these spirits were the same people who were living in Noah days? In verse 20 these spirits are identified as those who formerly were disobedient. They are further identified as being disobedient during the time that Noah built the ark. Out of Noah’s ministry only eight souls were saved. If a preacher today preached 120 years and only converted eight souls to Christ, he would have long ago been asked to leave. So consider the frustration that Noah and his band of believers had to be going through.

I feel that this interpretation bests fits the context in which Peter gives it here. We have to remember that Peter was writing to a group of believers who had discovered the truth in the person of The Lord Jesus Christ and were suffering at the hands of former friends and neighbors because of it. I am sure that they had begun to wonder if this was the truth and they had accepted it, why others didn’t grasp this reality. I felt this same way as I began to teach and preach and devour the word of God as though I hadn’t eaten in years. If I could have this same calling upon my life, why couldn’t everyone share in this exiting new venture? As I matured I began to realize that it is God who calls us to salvation, and calls each to His own purpose.

At the end of verse 20, we read that a few, that is eight souls, were saved through water. It is not that they were saved by water; they were saved through the water. Water was not the savior, but the judgment through which God brought them safely.

The ark is a symbol of Jesus Christ and the water is the symbol of the judgment of God. It is Christ who saves us from the judgment of God, when we rest in Him.

V. 21. There is also an antitype which now saves us-baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

Most Christians have been baptized, but they disagree about how to baptize, when to baptize, and what baptism means. There are several statements in this passage that may be confusing. If baptism saves a person, how does it do this? Isn’t it salvation by grace through faith? This seems to add a ceremonial work, much like circumcision. And what then is the state of people who are not baptized?

Actually there is a baptism that saves us, but is not our baptism in water. It is Christ death at Calvary. His death is considered to be baptism in the waters of judgment. In Luke 12:50 He says; “I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished.” In Ps. 42:7 The psalmist described this baptism; “Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls; all your waves and billows have gone over me”

In His death, Christ was baptized in the waves and billows of God’s wrath, and it is this baptism that is the basis for our salvation.

Just as Noah and his family had entered the ark, we must accept Christ death, and commit ourselves to the Lord as our only savior. When we do this we become identified with Him in His death, burial, and resurrection. In a very real sense, we then have been crucified with Him (Gal. 2:20), we have been buried with Him (Rom. 6:4), and we have been brought to life with Him.

The ceremony of baptism is an outward sign of what has taken place spiritually; we have been baptized into Christ’s death. And as we go under the water, we acknowledge that we have been buried with Him. Finally, as we come out of the water, we show that we have risen with Him.

This antitype that now saves us refers to Christ’s baptism unto death on the cross and our identification with Him in it, which represents water baptism. This does not mean that the water saves us, but it is our statement that we are identifying ourselves with what Jesus did on the cross.

V. 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.

Jesus not only rose from the dead, but He also ascended into heaven to a place that He had enjoyed since before the beginning of time. Referring to Christ as ascending to the right hand of God is to refer to His having been given power, (Matt. 26:64) honor, Acts 2:33; 5:31), rest (Hebrews 1:3; 8:1: 10:12) has become our intercessor, (Romans 8:34) preeminence, (Eph. 1:20,21) and dominion. (Hebrews 1:13)

This is the lesson that Peter wants to convey to his readers and to us as well. That our Lord suffered for well-doing, He was rejected by man, He was baptized unto death’s judgment at Calvary, Risen from that death, and is now seated at the right hand of God in glory. We should comfort ourselves with the fact that if we suffer with Christ, we shall be glorified with Him. This is the reason that Peter included this passage in his letter to a suffering church, and it is encouragement to all that suffer at the hands of man for doing well.

Suffering for Right and Wrong

1 Peter 3:13-17

V. 13 And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good?

There are 43 Listing in my concordance for the word fear, not including feared, fearful, fearful-hearted, fearfully, fearfulness, fearing, and fears. Jesus puts this thought better in Matthew 10:28 “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” What Peter and our Lord are talking about is walking in fearless confidence in God’s protection from harm. Becoming followers of what is good is to walk in the ways of the Lord. It is seeking out His will for your lives and not following the ways of this world. Will this make you the subject of persecution? Certainly, I am sure that many of the things that have happened to me have come about because of my stand for Christ. Yet on the other hand I am sure that God has allowed some things in order that I would make a stand for Christ. Man can attack your reputation, cause you harm, financial ruin, or even death, yet we are to fear God, and walk in faith with boldness, knowing who we serve.

V. 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.”

Calvin said; “The promise of this life extends only so far as it is expedient to us that they may be fulfilled” There is a difference between suffering at our own hands and suffering for the cause of Christ. Augustine said; “not the suffering, but the cause for which one suffers, makes the martyr.” Will God protect us from our own mistakes? Yes, if it is His will, and will God protect us persecution because of our stand for Christ? Yes if it is His will. These things will come upon us in order to fulfill God’s will, or man’s will, but they will come. The importance of walking in God’s will is the difference between being blessed or walking with a troubled spirit, not knowing that God’s will is being completed. Sin is born in the hearts of men, God tells us not to be afraid of the hearts of men.

V. 15 but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who ask you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;

Godliness sparks curiosity in others, to ask why we have so much hope, no matter what comes upon us. An example of this is when a loved one is taken from another by violence, the Christian offers forgiveness instead of hatred, and the world marvels at this. Others marvel at the peace in the heart of the Christian that allows them to forgive and go on as though it never happened. The events of everyday living shape us into what we are to become, but the heart of the believer sees that love is a better response then violence. When we are hurt deeply it is hard to let these things go and move on with our lives. There are feeling of vengeance, and pain that come from living that tend to come between us and our walk with God. It is faith that allows us to go on knowing that God understands and cares for us and wants to heal us of this pain. The hardest thing is to let it go. I remember an instance when I harbored anger towards another, and God’s Spirit kept telling me to let it go. I told Him I did not want to let it go and to leave me alone and let me be angry. Thankfully He did not and I was able to let it go and let the peace of God come back into my spirit. At other times pain and fear gripped me and would not release its grip upon me. It was only through faith that I was able to shout to the devil that he would have no victory in this. As a Christian our battles are not our own, we have one who will fight for us who is greater, than any adversary.

To sanctify is to set aside, to honor, so to sanctify the Lord in your heart is to set aside a place in our hearts for Him that nobody else can have. The greatest example of this is marriage, in that when we are joined to another we have given that person a part of ourselves that we should not give to another. When we hold that relationship sacred in our hearts we are honoring the other person. The reward for honoring God in our hearts is a peace that carries us through any situation, and causes curiosity in others. Perhaps we should entertain Peter’s words thus: Entertain just notions of God; of His nature, power, will, justice and truth. Do not think of God as being controlled by the same passions as men; separate Him in your hearts from everything earthly, human, fickle, rigidly severe, or unpredictably merciful. Consider that He can not be like man, feel like man, nor act like man. Do not confine God to your finite thinking, for God cannot be contained in the human mind. Too many people try to put God in a box, by thinking they know how God will act in every situation. I have heard preachers say that if God does not destroy this generation, then He owes Sodom and Gomorrah an apology. This is to say we know the mind of God and that we are dictating the will of God to God Himself, this is a very dangerous attitude to take. “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “for as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8, 9. The will of God will be done according to His mercy and grace, and who are we to dictate the will of God. We can know the will of God through prayerfully reading His word, but we can no more control the will of God than we can number our own days. Conceive God in your mind, as infinitely free to act or not act, as He pleases. Consider the goodness of God, for goodness in every possible state of perfection and infinitude, belongs to Him. Remember that He was wisdom without error, power without limits, truth without falsity, love without hatred, holiness without evil, and justice without severity on one hand or tenderness on the other. In other words, God is not one of us, not a slob like one of us, not a stranger on the bus tying to make His way home. Joan Osbourne’s song always troubled me thinking that we could put God on the same playing field as us. Sanctify God in your hearts in this way and you will always have a reason for the hope that is in you.

V. 16. having in good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.

I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust. This being so, I myself always strive to have a good conscience without offense towards God and men. Acts 24:15, 16.

Having a good conscience is essential to the readiness of your testimony. As believers we will sin before God, and the Spirit of God brings conviction upon us. It is a hard thing to give witness of the hope that is in you, when sin has come between you and God. Not to say that your salvation is lost, but that there is a separation in the fellowship that you enjoyed before that sin. Peter and Paul agree that a good conscience is something that we are to strive for. Once conviction comes upon us and we confess our sin before the Father, He is faithful to forgive us, for this is His nature as we discussed in the previous verse. There is also that fear that our sins will find us out before men and ruin our testimony. This is not to hinder our testimony to the hope that is in us, but when confronted by this sin we are to continue in meekness, still giving witness to the hope that is in us. We are to strive to have no offense between God and men, but when this offense does occur, we are to strive to mend the broken relationship, that we may continue in fellowship with God and man.

When your conscience is clear and others revile you and say evil things about you because of your testimony, take it in meekness that you do not give harm to the cause of Christ. In this way you do not hinder the work of the Holy Spirit in you and those that you are giving witness to. This is not to mean that all are called to preach and be vocal of their faith, but all are called to live right before man and God.

V. 17. For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

One may object, I would not bear it so ill if I had deserved it. Peter replies, it is better that you did not deserve it, in order that doing well and yet being spoken against, you may prove yourself a true Christian [GERHARD]. This is the greatest testimony of our faith, and the last testimony Christ gave before His death, that He suffered in silence.

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. 1 Peter 2:23

God is witness to our suffering, both of righteousness and unrighteousness, before Him and before man. We are to commit our hope to Him that He will judge between the unrighteous and righteous deeds of man.