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  • Victory Over Suffering (1 Peter 3:18-4:6)

    Last week we looked at how we can honor Christ in our suffering. We can be a witness by responding to suffering in a way unlike the world. The problem, however, is we typically follow the line of the world. When dealing with suffering, our response is not usually, “I can use this hardship in my life to point someone toward my hope in Christ.” Rather, our response goes something like this: “Why is this happening to me? God, why would you send this trouble my way?” It is not that Scripture does not speak to the realities of the Christian life. In this very book, 1 Peter, time and time again the subject of suffering has been brought up. I believe part of the reason we respond as the world does is because we have lost sight of the hope we have as Christians. A trial comes our way and we feel defeated. Yet, the gospel reminds us our hope is not a false hope. Our hope is a living hope. This is all because of Jesus Christ because He “suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit” (3:18). We can have victory over our suffering because Christ had victory over death. In order to have this victory, we must respond accordingly. Those in Noah’s day heard the proclamation of Christ through Noah but they refused to obey and only Noah’s family, who trusted the Lord, were saved (3:19–20). So it is with baptism. Those who respond in repenting of their sins and placing their faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior will be saved and will be baptized as an act of obedience that represents an inward change. The basis on such an act is the resurrection of Jesus Christ (3:21). Now, as those who have confessed their sins and trusted in Christ, the call is to respond in a distinct way. They do not live in sin as they once did nor do they live for their human passions. Instead, they live for the will of God (4:2). If believers live out their suffering this way, unbelievers will take notice and be surprised you are not giving in to the sin they are enjoying (4:3-4). By no means does this mean they will praise you for it. No, they may very well mock you. In such an instance, take heed the words of Jesus, “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28). Everyone will have to give account to God of their lives. Those who mock you and reject God will face the eternal wrath of God for their rebellion and sin. Those who heard the gospel preached and died without trusting in Christ face this judgment and death while believers who have died physically will live in the spirit and spend eternity with Christ. Simply put, the only victory over suffering one can have is through Jesus Christ. He is the one who lived a sinless life, died on the cross as a substitute for sinners, the righteous dying for the unrighteous, and rising again to give us the hope of salvation. Without Christ, there is no hope in suffering and no victory over suffering. With Christ, there is hope and honor in suffering because Christ has given victory over suffering. The question remains: Will you trust in Christ, who rose victorious over suffering for our sins, before it is too late?

  • Honrando en el Sufrimiento (1 Pedro 3:13-17)

    Una de las áreas en las que siempre busco crecer es en mi testimonio para el Señor. Sé que necesito ser intencional al compartir el evangelio con quienes necesitan escucharlo. Oro para que Dios me dé oportunidades para compartir mi fe. Sospecho que no soy el único que es así. Sin embargo, me pregunto cuántos de nosotros consideramos la pregunta: “¿Cómo respondemos al sufrir?” cuando se trata de nuestro testimonio y evangelismo. La realidad es que deberíamos considerar cómo nuestro sufrimiento puede ser un testimonio y una herramienta para mostrar a otros a Cristo. Cuando hacemos esto, honramos a Cristo.

    Pero ¿cómo honramos a Cristo, especialmente en medio de nuestro sufrimiento? Comienza identificando la razón por la cual podríamos estar sufriendo y luego observando nuestra respuesta al sufrimiento. En otras palabras, el sufrimiento descrito aquí no es cualquier tipo de sufrimiento. Sufrir por el propio pecado no es honorable a Cristo; es una consecuencia de nuestra rebelión contra Él. Más bien, el sufrimiento que sí honra a Cristo es el que describe el apóstol Pedro: “¿Y quién es el que os podrá hacer daño, si sois celosos del bien? Mas también si alguna cosa padecéis por causa de la justicia, bienaventurados sois” (3:13–14a). Sufrir mientras hacemos el bien por causa de la justicia es lo que honra a Dios. Como vimos en la sección anterior, 1 Pedro 3:8–12, es vivir rectamente incluso cuando somos agraviados. Así que el primer paso para honrar a Cristo en el sufrimiento es asegurarnos de que la razón de nuestro sufrimiento no sea nuestro pecado, sino nuestro hacer el bien para la gloria de Dios.

    Sin embargo, no debemos detenernos solo en identificar la razón de nuestro sufrimiento. Necesitamos observar nuestra respuesta al sufrimiento que soportamos. La tentación aquí es tener miedo de aquellos que están causando este dolor y sufrimiento. Además, podemos sentir la tentación de mirar a Dios y comenzar a dudar de Su bondad. Como quienes estamos en Cristo, hay una manera más honorable. Pedro continúa: “No tengáis miedo de ellos, ni os amedrentéis, sino santificad a Dios el Señor en vuestros corazones, y estad siempre preparados para presentar defensa con mansedumbre y reverencia ante todo el que os demande razón de la esperanza que hay en vosotros” (3:14b–15a). La respuesta al sufrimiento que abre la puerta para compartir el evangelio y señalar a las personas hacia la esperanza en Dios es la respuesta que no teme al hombre, sino que honra y confía en Dios.

    Podemos responder de esta manera porque Jesucristo sufrió y murió por nuestros pecados y, al arrepentirnos de nuestros pecados y confiar en Él como nuestro Salvador y Señor, recibimos al Espíritu Santo. Sabiendo que el Señor está usando este sufrimiento para nuestro bien al hacernos crecer en santidad, podemos responder, por el poder del Espíritu Santo, de una manera contracultural que llamará la atención. Una respuesta peculiar hará que los incrédulos pregunten por qué alguien que profesa ser cristiano no está buscando venganza ni angustiándose por el sufrimiento. En pocas palabras, usa tu sufrimiento para compartir tu fe. Procura honrar a Dios en tu sufrimiento. Cuando Dios te dé esas oportunidades para responder tal pregunta, hazlo de manera gentil y respetuosa (3:15b). Incluso si los incrédulos te ven y te escuchan, pero aún así eligen burlarse y perseguirte, puedes estar seguro de que una respuesta honorable de tu parte resultará en su propia vergüenza (3:16).

    La verdad de este punto se resume bien en 1 Pedro 3:17: “Porque mejor es que padezcáis haciendo el bien, si la voluntad de Dios así lo quiere, que haciendo el mal.” Haz el bien para la gloria de Dios, incluso si eso significa que sufrirás. Porque sufrir mientras haces el bien, si es la voluntad de Dios, es lo que honra a Dios.

  • Honoring in Suffering (1 Peter 3:13-17)

    One of the areas I am always looking to grow in is my witness for the Lord. I know I need to be intentional in sharing the gospel with those who need to hear it. I pray for God to give me opportunities to share my faith. I speculate I am not the only who is like this. However, I do wonder how many of us consider the question, “How do we respond to suffering?” when it comes to our witnessing and evangelism. The reality is we should be considering how our suffering can be a witness and a tool to show others Christ. When we do that, we honor Christ. But how do we honor Christ, especially in the midst of our suffering? It begins by identifying the reason why we might be suffering and then by observing our response to the suffering. In other words, the suffering described here is not just any type of suffering. Suffering for one’s own sin is not honorable to Christ; it is a consequence for our rebellion against Him. Rather, the suffering that does honor Christ is the suffering the Apostle Peter describes, “Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed” (3:13–14a). Suffering while doing good for righteousness’ sake is what honors God. As we saw in the previous section, 1 Peter 3:8-12, it is living rightly even when we are wronged. So, the first step for honoring in suffering is to make sure the reason for our suffering is not because of our sin but because of our doing good for the glory of God. We must not stop at only identifying the reason for our suffering, though. We need to observe our response to the suffering we endure. The temptation here is to be fearful toward those who are causing this pain and suffering. Moreover, we may be tempted to look at God and begin to waver on trusting His goodness. As those in Christ, there is a more honorable way. Peter continues, “Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you” (3:14b–15a). The response to suffering that opens up the door for sharing the gospel and pointing people toward hope in God is the response that does not fear man but honors and trusts in God. We can respond this way because Jesus Christ suffered and died for our sins and, as we repent of our sins and trust in Him as our Savior and Lord, we receive the Holy Spirit. Knowing the Lord is using this suffering for our good by growing us in holiness, we can respond, by the power of the Holy Spirit, in counter-cultural way that will turn heads. A peculiar response will cause unbelievers to ask why it is that someone who professes to be a Christian is not seeking revenge or fretting about the suffering. Simply put, use your suffering to share your faith. Seek to honor God in your suffering. When God does give those opportunities to answer such a question, do it in a way that is gentle and respectful (3:15b). Even if unbelievers see and hear you but still choose to mock and persecute you, you can be sure an honorable response on your end will result in their own shame (3:16). The truth of this point is summed up well in 1 Peter 3:17, “For it is better to suffering for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.” Do good for the glory of God, even if it means you will suffer. Because to suffer while doing good, if it is God’s will, is what honors God.