1 Peter Chapter 3 Pt. 6 A Christian & Facing Persecution For The Gospel

A note about the archive index containing all lessons I have posted on this blog since its inception in 2019. 

An index for all lessons posted from 2019 through 2021, was published on September 7, 2022.

An index for all lessons posted in 2022, was published January 24, 2023.

Each index lists lesson titles and the dates each one was posted, so that you can study subjects that we have written about.

December is almost here and our thoughts are turning to Christmas and the birth of Jesus Christ. 

In the archives you will find 9 lessons titled "The True Story Of Christmas," that were posted between December 16 and December 21, 2019.

These lessons are good resources for sharing the true reason we celebrate Christmas, when we gather with our families and loved ones.

A Christian response to persecution for faith in Christ. 

1 Peter 3:13-14  And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? 14) But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; 

What about Christian suffering? Is this part of God's plan?

The Holy Spirit guided Peter to address the subject of Christians who suffer in this life. 

He began by reminding us that submitting to authorities is something that God wants us to do. 

Society benefits when it's citizens have a godly testimony. Living out our faith helps preserve an orderly society and allows us to shine pure gospel light into the world.

But what about those who suffer "for righteousness sake?" History is full of Christians around the world in all generations, who are presently suffering, or who suffered mightily in the past. 

Foxes Book of Martyrs speaks of believers in Christ who were tortured and killed in England and in other nations. 

There are many historical records of Christians who suffered for their faith in Jesus Christ, such as "The Early Christians In Their Own Words" by Eberhard Arnold. 

This book is unique in that it includes quotations from many ancient historical records, including eyewitness accounts of church fathers and other church leaders.

The point is, that suffering for the sake of Jesus Christ, is not new. It began as soon as the church began, in Acts chapter 4 and continues through the remainder of the book.

In verse 14, Peter used the word "suffer" and it is a milder word than the word "harm" that he used in verse 13. 

The word "suffer" means to be saddened or put into a difficult situation, whereas to be harmed is to be maltreated, oppressed or afflicted. 

Peter is teaching us that when we follow that which is good by obeying God, we will usually keep ourselves out of harm's way, with regard to civil authorities. 

However, he teaches us that it is honorable if we suffer because of our faith in Jesus Christ. Taking our stand upon the truth of scripture is the solid rock for our faith. 

The idea of not being afraid of our enemies, is remembering that our enemies are God's enemies, if we are suffering for faith in Christ. 

Jesus said we are blessed if we are persecuted for His sake. 

Matthew 5:10-12  Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11)  Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12)  Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

It is a happiness to suffer for Christ; and it is a happiness, because if a man were not holy and righteous the world would not persecute him, so he is happy in the very cause of his sufferings.

Jesus teaches us that we are blessed if we are persecuted for the sake of God's righteousness. 

When people angrily shout or yell as we attempt to share the gospel of Christ with them, we are blessed. 

If they spread lies about us while we bear witness of Jesus Christ, we are blessed. 

Notice the words Jesus uses. We are to rejoice and be extremely glad if we encounter fierce opposition when sharing the gospel of Christ. 

Persecution means being put to flight by those seeking to do you physical harm, just as in the book of Acts. 

Saul launched vicious persecution against the early church. 

Acts 8:1-4  And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2)  And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. 3)  As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.  4)  Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word. 

Saul of Tarsus was a leader in securing the death of Stephen (See Acts 6-7). 

As he mounted his vicious persecution against Christians, the new believers in Christ fled from Jerusalem. 

Everywhere that they traveled, they preached the word of God. and shared the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Thus, while Saul sought to exterminate the church, the gospel spread prolifically. 

Luke's account about Saul persecuting the church from Acts 8, is a fulfillment of what Jesus taught in Matthew 5.

Have sanctified hearts and a readiness to witness. 

1 Peter 3:15-16  But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: 16)  Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. 

Peter quotes from Isaiah 8:12-13. What should a Christian do when facing persecution? Sanctify the Lord God in our hearts. 

This means to hallow and honor God as holy, remembering His purity and holiness and righteousness in our hearts.  

The word "sanctify" means to separate ourselves for profane things so that we may be wholly dedicated to God. 

God has a purpose for commanding His redeemed children to live for His glory, by pursuing holiness. It is so that we can be a witness to those who do not know Jesus Christ. 

A godly testimony has been stressed by Peter. One major benefit is that when people see that our profession of faith  matches how we speak and act, they are more willing to hear us. 

Thus, Peter tells us that we must be ready and willing to give an answer to anyone who asks us about our faith in Christ. 

We must have meekness in our hearts because we too, were enemies of God before Jesus Saved us. We must have the humble fear and respect toward God in our hearts. 

Peter teaches us that in living in this manner, we have a good and clean conscience before God, even if they are speaking evil of us. 

God knows what is going on in each of our lives, He never loses track of His children. 

This is very much like the Israelites in the Old Testament, making preparations for keeping the sabbath day holy. 

A call to holiness and fellowship with the Father. 

2 Corinthians 6:17-18  Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18)  And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. 

The people needed to come before God with clean hearts, clean hands and clean feet, which pictures the atoning work of Jesus Christ. 

Each Christian has a duty to obey God's word, and to confess and forsake our sins when we fail Him. We must separate ourselves from cultural defilement and personal sins. 

Blessing is promised to us when we do as God commands. He will be our Father, and we will be His fully adopted children.

Guard against any wicked thing entering through our eyes. 

Psalm 101:3  I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.

We must, as the Psalmist declares, set no evil thing before our eyes. Our determination to avoid evil things, is very much needed, because our cultural depravity presses in on us from all sides.  

We can see how Peter's teaching connects with the call for believers to walk a worthy walk with our Lord. We are to walk in the Spirit, walk in the Light, walk in love and walk in honesty in all things.

May the Lord Jesus Christ help us to understand and obey these wonderful truths from His Word. 

May He give us hearts that are tender and ready to heed His call. 

May He give us a spirit that is willing to tell others about the great hope that we have, in Jesus Christ.

Bob