1 Peter 3:8-12
SUBJECT: The Glory Inherent in Christian Suffering
THEME: Christ will turn our suffering and unfairness of today into triumph and glory for eternity because we are called to bless others.
INTRODUCTION: No doubt you have been treated unfairly by careless Christians, relatives, or unfortunately close friends. I am also sure it left you hurt, confused, disconcerted, and angry. No doubt a part of you wanted to get back at them…to make them feel what pains you felt! Perhaps you wondered how much longer you could endure the hardships you were facing…not sure if you could take anymore. It may be that you seriously wished that life was all over, and you were already with Jesus…never to suffer again. These are the real feeling and puzzles we grapple with…part of troubled hearts…. God has addressed these real issues to guide Believers’ actions.
Believers are to be like-minded, sympathetic, tenderhearted, and courteous, which means they are to be humble-minded, not trying to lord it over one another. This is to be the attitude and action of a believer among other believers.[a]
The Lord Jesus expressed these
same ideas about showing mercy and kindness instead of getting even or
retaliating against those who wrong and abuse us.
Matthew 5:43-48, Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? 48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
Luke 6:27-33, But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, 28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. 29 And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also. 30 Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. 31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. 32 For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. 33 And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.
The key our Lord submitted was that of showing mercy and kindness to the most undeserving refusing to retaliate, but instead going the extra mile to act like we are govern be principles rooted in who we actually are from God’s vantage point. As a result, we bless and not curse, we give grace and not deserts, and we express kindness instead of relating. Such actions are consistent with our calling a Believers…people who are summoned to bless should bless everyone and anyone regardless of what happens to us. Peter also subscribes to this kind of thinking and behavior.
Message:
BE SUBMISSIVE TO CHRIST AND BE GENEROUS TO FELLOW BELIEVERS (1Pet. 3:8-12). 1 Pet 3:8-9, Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
Peter has dealt thoroughly with various groups, Citizens, Servants, Wives, Husbands, and now he addresses them all as a group of Believers.
A. SHARED OBEDIENCE
REGARDING A SINGULAR ATTITUDE (ONENESS OF MIND) Vs 8
In
the first two chapters Peter referred to “all kinds of trials” (1:6),
accusations of “doing wrong” (2:12), “the ignorant talk of foolish men” (2:15),
and “the pain of unjust suffering” (2:19). All these persecutions seem to have
resulted from the natural reactions of a pagan society against Christians who
faithfully obeyed Jesus Christ.
Peter then warned that a time of more severe persecution and suffering was close at hand. He cautioned Christians to keep clear consciences when facing injustice, to endure the inevitable suffering with Christlike courage.[b]
We as
believers will not see everything in the same fashion. We won’t agree on everything, but we should
have a singleness of heart and oneness of mind. We should remain focused on
Christ! The best formula is contained in
the well-known expression: “In
Fundamentals, unity; in non- essentials, liberty; in everything, love.”
1. Our minds should be focused on
becoming more like Christ.
2. Our minds should be focused on
living holy, righteous, and pure lives.
3. Our minds should be focused on
bearing spiritual character and fruit.
4. Our minds should be focused on carrying out the ministry and mission of Christ to the world.
B.
SHARED OBEDIENCE REGARDING COMPASSION Vs 8
Literally,
this means to suffer with and this
admonition is especially appropriate when given to those undergoing
persecution. We as believers are to:
1. Suffer with those who are
suffering
2. Weep with those who are weeping
3. Rejoice with them who have been
honored
4. Understand the pressures of a
leader when he leads
5. Grieve with the sorrows of
others.
Real compassion will build unity in a church! These are the things that REAL CHRISTIANS do for each other from the Heart.
C. SHARED OBEDIENCE TO LOVE, TENDERNESS OF HEART AND COURTESY Vs 8
We as believers must develop a real sensitivity and genuine affection for each other. We should be the kind of Christians that will deny ourselves for someone else benefit. We should experience such real love and pity that we are moved to act, help, comfort, support and solace with all humility of heart.
Love as brothers. An unknown author writes:
Providence
does not ask us whom we would like to be our brethren—that is settled for us;
but we are bidden to love them, irrespective of our natural predilections and
tastes. You say, “That is impossible!” But remember that true love does not
necessarily originate in the emotions, but in the will; it consists not in
feeling but in doing; not in sentiment, but in action; not in soft words, but
in noble and unselfish deeds.
Tenderhearted means having a heart sensitive to the needs and feelings
of others. It refuses to turn cold, callous, or cynical in spite of abuse.
Courteous—It seems so proper that courtesy should be taught as one of the Christian virtues. Essentially it means humbly thinking of others, putting others first, and saying and doing the gracious thing. Courtesy serves others before self, jumps at opportunities to assist, and expresses prompt appreciation for kindnesses received. It is never coarse, vulgar, or rude.[c]
D.
SHARED OBEDIENCE REGARDING BLESSING Vs 9-10
Mutual Christian submission is not characterized by backbiting but with blessing! We are not people with a spirit of retaliation towards those who do us evil; we instead look to be a blessing. We do not fight with the weapons of hate and evil but with the weapons of love and righteousness. We are not overcome with evil, we overcome evil with good!
1. The Lord Jesus Christ Taught This Concept.
Matt
5:39, But I say unto you, That ye resist not
evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
Matt
5:45, That ye may be the children of your
Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on
the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
Luke 6:35, But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
2. The Wisest Man that Ever Lived (King Solomon)
Taught This Concept.
Prov
20:22, Say not thou, I will recompense evil;
but wait on the LORD, and he shall save
thee.
Ps
37:34, Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he
shall exalt thee to inherit the land:
when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.
Prov 24:29, Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.
It takes real faith to believe God through a situation where we are hurting and where we are being treated unfairly, but that is exactly what we are to do. This temptation is amplified by our feelings of fair play. The more justified we feel, the harder it is to refuse to get back at them. But we are not to have a retaliatory spirit; the Lord (His job alone) will make sure that every man gets what he deserves. Rom 12:19-21, Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20, Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21, Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
IN
LIGHT OF THESE TRUTHS, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TODAY THAT ONLY A CHRISTIAN WOULD DO?
-That
boss at work did not treat you right or fairly; do you want to get back at him
or her for that obvious wrong?
-Your
wife didn’t speak to you with the kindness and respect she should have; do you
yell and scream back at her to show her failure?
-That
Brother didn’t speak to you at church, so now you aren’t going to speak to him
anymore. Is this Christian?
-That Sister
hurt your feelings by saying something insensitive to you before others; are
you going to make sure you hurt her somehow?
Peter is saying, “Grow up and stop acting like little children!” Your calling it to render a blessing!
Peter says that we are to refrain from constantly speaking evil of others. And we are to refrain from speaking “guile,” from being deceptive and not telling the truth.[d]
E.
SHARED OBEDIENCE TO PURSUE PEACE AND PRAYERFULNESS Vs 11-12
1. We as Believers Are to Turn
from Evil and Do Good.
‘eschew’ means to avoid
evil or to turn away from evil. Vs 11
(a) We should Turn from
the evil of Fornication 1 Cor 6:16.
(b) We should turn from
the evil love for Money 1Tim. 6:9-11
(c) We should turn from
the evil of Youthful Lust 2Tim. 2:22
(d) We should turn from the evil of Retaliation 1 Pet. 3:9
2. We as Believers Are to Pursue Peace. Vs 11
‘seek’
and ‘ensue’ means to chase after or press after peace. We are not to wait on it to happen we are to
get after it and pursue it.
(a) The pursuit of peace is a central theme in the Christian life. Peace with God, Peace with self, and Peace with others. Our Mission is also a mission of peace to the world.
(b) The pursuit of peace is the responsibility of the believer when we have offended someone or when someone has offended us. Matt 18:15, Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. Also Luke 17:3-4,
IF GOD FORGAVE US THEN WE ARE TO FORGIVE ONE ANOTHER! WE DO NOT HOLD GRUDGES OR HARBOR HATRED AND WE DO NOT WORK DECEIT AGAINST EACH OTHER! GIVE THE GIFT OF FORGIVENESS! Matt 6:14-15, For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15, But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
3. God Will Hear the Prayer of Them That Do
Good. Vs 12
Ps
34:15, The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto
their cry.
Isa 65:24, And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.
4. God Will Not Hear the Prayers of Them That Do
Evil. vs 12
Ps 66:18, If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:
We who belong to Christ and are possessed by Him should bring blessing wherever we go and through whatever we do. To be sure, we live in a world in which we are often confronted by evil. Our natural response is to do evil to those who do evil to us. But Peter reminds us of the basis of Christian ethics and lifestyle: we should not render evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, we should do good to those who do evil. In fact, bringing blessing to others is a part of our Christian calling (v. 9).[e]
CONCLUSION:
Clearly, these “figures emphasize God’s watchful oversight and careful attention to His people’s needs (cf. 2:25).”[f]
Beloved, we must disconnect ourselves from any notion of getting even, fighting fire with fire, retaliating, having our pound of flesh, or reacting in kind! This is a worldly approach to unfair treatments, and it destroyed everyone who is involved in some manner and to some degree. We must respond to unfair conditions in love and generosity in doing so we commend the kingdom of God and fulfill our calling as Blessers!
News like this will help us smile through the tears when life hurts the most because we subscribe to a higher and greater purpose! Certainly, we are sacrificed in the process…we are reduced for the time being…we endure shame to our person. But there is something more important than the world’s definition of our pride, dignity, and worth. There will come, no doubt, a day when the Sum of Our Suffering will equal Glory! Life and many circumstances may be unfair for the moment, and we will endure difficulties, false accusations, mistreatments, unfair results, and hardships. But great will be the reward of the saint that stays true to the Lord through the hard stuff.
We
must therefore conduct ourselves as brothers with compassion and sensitivity
one towards the other. We must seek peace and prayerfulness for
each other and all men refusing to resort
to a spirit of retaliation. Look further to the words and example of our Lord and follow closely in His steps--for He
leads to glory with Him.
We must continue to follow God’s instructions for the grieving saints. God will one day vindicate our faith before this wicked generation just as He did with Noah in his day.
When
dreams seem to fade in this life, we will still have the hope of the next life
with Christ!
[a] J.
Vernon McGee, Thru the Bible
Commentary, electronic ed., vol. 5 (Nashville: Thomas Nelson,
1997), 699.
[b]
Roger M. Raymer, “1 Peter,” in The
Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F.
Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 849.
[c]
William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible
Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. Arthur Farstad
(Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995), 2269–2270.
[d] J.
Vernon McGee, Thru the Bible
Commentary, electronic ed., vol. 5 (Nashville: Thomas Nelson,
1997), 700.
[e] Paul
A. Cedar and Lloyd J. Ogilvie, James / 1 & 2
Peter / Jude, vol. 34, The Preacher’s Commentary Series
(Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc, 1984), 161–162.
[f]
Roger M. Raymer, “1 Peter,” in The
Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F.
Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 850.
