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  • 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.

  • Vivir Rectamente Cuando Se es Agraviado (1 Pedro 3:8-12)

    En la película The Dark Knight, Harvey Dent, convertido en Dos Caras, dice: “El mundo es cruel, y la única moralidad en un mundo cruel es el azar… Cincuenta y cincuenta”. El análisis de Harvey Dent parece también ser cincuenta y cincuenta, en parte correcto y en parte equivocado. La realidad es que sí vivimos en un mundo cruel y caído. Sin embargo, erraríamos si creyéramos que la moralidad en un mundo cruel y cargado de pecado es cuestión de azar. De hecho, el evangelio nos muestra lo contrario. Según la presciencia del Padre, Jesucristo fue enviado a vivir una vida perfecta, a morir la muerte de un pecador en la cruz como sustituto por nuestros pecados, y a resucitar para traernos salvación. Si el azar es la única moralidad en un mundo cruel, no hay esperanza. Si el poder de Dios en el evangelio nos da moralidad en medio de un mundo caído, entonces podemos regocijarnos en una esperanza. Debido a lo que Dios ha hecho en el pasado en Cristo, vivimos de manera diferente en el presente con anticipación por el futuro. Por eso vivimos vidas honorables como cristianos, incluso en medio de una cultura hostil.

    Esto significa que no permitimos que nuestro corazón se endurezca hacia las personas que nos rodean. Si hay un tiempo para que el cuerpo de Cristo se una, las circunstancias de estos tiempos lo son. El apóstol Pedro exhorta así a los primeros creyentes cristianos: “En fin, sed todos de un mismo sentir, compasivos, amándoos fraternalmente, misericordiosos, humildes” (3:8). No te enfríes durante tiempos oscuros y crueles. Mantente cálido mostrando amor y compasión a tus hermanos y hermanas en Cristo, sin enfocarte en ti mismo, sino viviendo como el cuerpo de Cristo en unidad y humildad.

    Además, cuando se te haga mal, vive correctamente. Tal vez en tiempos de sufrimiento por la fe, el cuerpo de Cristo se muestra más dispuesto a unirse. Pero ¿cómo responden al mal que enfrentan? Como Dios habla por medio de Pedro: “No paguéis mal por mal, ni injuria por injuria, sino por el contrario, bendecid, sabiendo que fuisteis llamados para que heredaseis bendición” (3:9). La respuesta a un mundo cruel no es el azar. La respuesta a un mundo cruel no es más crueldad. La respuesta a un mundo cruel es la bendición.

    Esta bendición se ve de manera más convincente en el evangelio. Romanos 5:8 lo resume bien: “Pero Dios muestra su amor para con nosotros en que, siendo aún pecadores, Cristo murió por nosotros”. Como pecadores, nos rebelábamos —y aún lo hacemos— contra Dios, hablando mal de Su nombre. Sin embargo, ¿qué hizo Dios? Vino a salvarnos. Los enemigos que hablaron mal de Él fueron aquellos a quienes vino a salvar.

    Entonces puedes preguntar: “¿Cómo podemos bendecir mientras enfrentamos el mal?” Podemos hacerlo mirando al evangelio y comprendiendo lo que ocurrió en la persona y la obra de Jesucristo. El rey David entendió esta verdad y los resultados de bendecir. Lo que se presenta en 1 Pedro 3:10-12 es una cita del Salmo 34:12-16. La verdad es que amar la vida y ver días buenos no significa que no venga la aflicción. Significa que nuestra respuesta será diferente cuando la aflicción venga. El que se guarda de hablar el mismo mal, el que evita caer en el engaño, es el que será bendecido. El que se aparta del mal y hace el bien es el que vive de manera honorable. El que busca y persigue la paz es el que hallará bendición. El Señor se complace cuando ve a Sus hijos vivir rectamente mientras son agraviados por el mundo que los rodea. Aquellos que hacen el mal tendrán su día. Dios derramará Su ira sobre los que no confían en Él. Pero para los que confían en Cristo, nuestro testimonio es vivir de manera justa cuando somos agraviados.

  • Right Living When Wronged (1 Peter 3:8-12)

    In the movie The Dark Knight, Harvey Dent turned Two-Face says, “The world is cruel, and the only morality in a cruel world is chance…Fifty-fifty.” Harvey Dent’s analysis seems to be fifty-fifty too, partly right and partly wrong. The reality is we do live in a cruel, fallen world. However, we would be in error if we believe morality in a cruel, sin-laden world is chance. In fact, the gospel shows us otherwise. According to the foreknowledge of the Father, Jesus Christ was sent to live a perfect life, to die a sinner’s death on the cross as a substitute for our sins, and rise again to bring us salvation. If chance is the only morality in a cruel world, there is no hope. If the power of God in the gospel gives us morality in the midst of a fallen world, then we can rejoice in a hope. Because of what God has done in the past in Christ, we live differently in the present with anticipation for the future. That is why we live honorable lives as Christians, even in the midst of a hostile culture. This means we do not grow heart-hardened at the people around us. If there is a time for the body of Christ to come together, the circumstances of these times are it. The Apostle Peter exhorts the early Christian believers this ways, “Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind” (3:8). Don’t grow cold during dark and cruel times. Keep warm by showing love and compassion to your brothers and sisters in Christ, not focusing on yourself but living as the body of Christ in unity and by humility. Moreover, when you are wronged, live right. Maybe during times of suffering for the faith, the body of Christ finds itself more willing to come together. But how do they respond to the evil they face? As God speaks through Peter, “Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing” (3:9). The answer to a cruel world is not chance. The answer to a cruel world is not more cruelty. The answer to a cruel world is blessing. This blessing is seen most compellingly in the gospel. Romans 5:8 sums it up nicely, “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” As sinners, we had and do rebel against God, speaking evil of His name. Yet, what did God do? He came to save us. The enemies who spoke evil of Him were the Ones He came to save. So, you may ask, “How can we bless while we are facing evil?” We can do so by looking to the gospel and realizing what happened in the person and work of Jesus Christ. King David realized this truth and the results of blessing. What is laid out in 1 Peter 3:10-12 is a quote from Psalm 34:12-16. The truth is that to love life and to see good days does not mean trouble does not come. It means that our response will be different the troubles do come. The one who keeps from speaking the same evil, who keeps from falling into deception is the one who will be blessed. The one who turns from evil and does good is the one who lives honorably. The one who seeks and pursues peace is the one who will find a blessing. The Lord is pleased when He sees His children living right while being wronged by the world around them. Those who do evil will have their day. God will pour out His wrath to those who do not trust in Him. But for those who trust in Christ, our witness is right living when wronged.