For the NIV reading, click here NIV text of 1 Peter 3:13-22
First we'll look at vv 13-17.
Here Peter addresses what is probably the real experience of his churches: unjust suffering or hardship. The suffering his churches are going through is probably not some state sponsored formal persecution like is in the background of Revelation. Rather, the suffering is hardship that comes from being different, being Christian and not quite fitting in, being socially threatened and pushed to the margins of culture, being in the world but not really of it, etc.
Peter reminds them (and us) that when we suffer, we should not respond in the way we might naturally like to (retaliate, get back, revenge, complaining, etc.). In fact, he says, don't be afraid...rather fear (revere) Christ as Lord. And Peter says, this way of living will have influence. It may not be right away. It may be ignored for a long time, but there will come a day when those who slander our good way of living will recognize it for what it is.
You might imagine how this was all meant to be encouraging for those who are hurting because of their faith.
Thoughts...comments...
"Who is going to harm you if you do good?"
ReplyDeleteThe person who is going to harm you for living as an example through Christ is exactly the person who needs to witness an example through Christ. That is why, even in the face of persecution, we are not to act worldly, but instead stay true to the example of Christ.
Folks who have undergone persecution for Christ's sake have my admiration . I wish my faith were as strong as theirs .
ReplyDeleteIn v. 14, Peter may be drawing on the words of Jesus in Matthew 5:10 "Blessed are those who are persecuted, for their's is the kingdom of heaven." When you suffer for what is right because of your faith...you are blessed/happy. Not sure I can make total sense of this, though I have had times in which doing what was the right and the hard thing came with a certain inner experience of solid joy.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could say the same ; I often just wonder
ReplyDeleteif what I perceive is the right thing actually is .Given my druthers , I'll take the mountain top experiences over the valleys any day . I just started reading a book of sayings by "the saints" . Now i know why they are saints and I'm not ;-)
Doc, the 'right thing' is sometimes a little fuzzy. But I always go back to two things: the character of Jesus and God's mission through Jesus...seems to me if a decision lines up with those two things, it's probably on the right track. Another way of looking at it might be: does it reflect love for God and love for people. And, of course, around here, I ask myself, 'is it an act of following Jesus, with others and/or sharing Him with others."
ReplyDelete