Mediation on 1 Peter 3:12-18:
How Shall We Live? This questioned has being asked by believers throughout the ages in one form or another ever since Old Testament times. The first time that this questioned was asked in this format can be found in Ezekiel 33:10. In more recent years, the late Francis A. Schaeffer asked the question, "How Shall We Then Live?". And yet the question was asked once again by Charles Colson and Nancy Pearcey in their book How Now Shall We Live? The very heart of this basic question is the idea of apologetics. How are believers to live their lives so that those around them can see the difference that Christ has made in their lives?
In 1 Peter 3:8-12 the apostle Peter describes the attitudes and actions that should characterize God's children.
Then 1 Peter 3:13-22 Peter elaborates upon how God's children should live in an evil and hostile world in the face of persecution.
I. KNOW THAT YOU ARE BLESSED (1 Peter 3:13-14a)
1 Peter 3:13--Common sense tells us that if we do good, obey the law(s), that we will be protected from punishment. But is this always the case? No, it is not always the case. Peter is not telling us that if we do right in the eyes of humans that we would escape from unfair and unjust treatment. Previously Peter made it clear that this is not always the case. We can in fact do right and can still expect that we may suffer ill treatment. See. 1 Peter 3:20.
1 Peter 3:14a--The phrase "even if you should suffer" is worded in such a way in the original language that Peter is thinking of an event that could be considered highly unlikely to happen, but still very possible to happen.
Peter wanted for God's people to be prepared for the possibilty of persecution; and furthermore, Peter wanted to tell believers how they should react if they find themselves in the midst of persecution.
See 1 Peter 4:12-15 & Matthew 5:11. In 1 Peter 4:12-15 Peter warns believers more directly of the forthcoming persecution that they will face in the days to come.
How Shall We Live When in the Midst of Suffering?
II. TRUST IN CHRIST (1 Peter 3:14b-15a)
1 Peter 3:14b--Peter alludes to Isaiah 8:12-13, he is counseling God's children to not be afraid of the persecution. Rather than fearing our enemies, we are told to trust in Christ as our sovereign Lord, who is in absolute control of all things! Furthermore, Peter is recalling Christ's words: "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both the soul and body in hell" (Matthew 10:28).
1 Peter 3:15a--Peter tells God's children to replace fear with faith and reverence. "By acknowledging Christ as Lord and Savior, they would recoginze his holiness and be able to rest in him. There would be no room in their hearts for fear" (quote comes from Life Application Bible Commentary: 1 & 2 Peter and Jude, page 96).
See Isaiah 8:13.
"When believers have set apart Christ as Lord, regarding Him as holy and reverencing Him in their hearts, they know that He is in control of events, that He is the reigning King, and that all powers and authorities ultimately must answer to Him" (ibid.).
III. BE READY TO GIVE AN ACCOUNT (1 Peter 3:15b-17)
1 Peter 3:15b--When believers have Christ set apart in their hearts, the courage Christ gives them ought to make them always ready to testify about Him. We are to live out the hope that is in us in such a manner that others can see it.
"The believers would be persecuted for their faith alone because unbelievers would have no charges to bring against them except to question them on their 'hope'. Unbelievers can see that Christians have something different; only 'hope' gives us strength and joy in hardships and persecutions. Unbelievers will seek about it; believers must be ready to tell them. Christians need not worry about what they should say if accused, for they could prepare their defense ahead of time! Even in a hostile situation, believers can witness for Christ; their words might cause an accuser to come to faith. . . . All Christians must be ready and able to give a reasonable defense of their faith" (ibid.).
In other words, every Christian should be able to clearly explain his or her own reasons for being a Christian. The believer's response should be both a reasonable and rational response. (More about what is meant by the response should be both a reasonable and rational response is forthcoming.)
In What Manner Shall Christians Respond When Questioned about the Hope They Have?
In 1 Peter 3:8--Peter tells believers to be sympathic, brotherly, kind hearted, and humble in spirit. In 1 Peter 3:9--Peter tells us that we are not to return evil for evil. In 1 Peter 3:15c--Peter tells us that we are to respond with gentleness and reverence. In 1 Peter 3:16--Stay humble: we should not be prideful with our response. Our conscience should be filled with God's desires.
How Can Believers Follow Peter's Advice to Keep a Clear Conscience?
1. We can treasure our faith in Christ more than anything else and do what we know is right.
2. We can avoid willful disobedience.
3. If we do disobey, we should stay in consistant communication with God, repenting and asking for forgiveness.
Why Is There All This Concern about Right Living and Clear Conscience?
Because the believers live in a hostile world. Christians should not give their accusers ammuniation to bring more charges against them by breaking the law(s) or acting and speaking in a ungodly manner.
Read 1 Peter 3:17--If Christians are to suffer, it should never be for wrong doing.
Read 1 Peter 3:18--Why would it be better to suffer for doing good than for doing evil? Because Christ suffered unjustly so that people might be saved, so believers ought to patiently endure unjust suffering because such an attitude is a powerful witness that could lead unbelievers to Christ.
