September 11, 2014
GOT JESUS?
1 Peter 3:8–22
Kacie Turner
Central Truth
The Bible calls us to sanctify Christ as Lord in our hearts, no longer conforming to the patterns of the world, but being transformed instead.
Key Verse | 1 Peter 3:15
[B]ut sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts . . . . (1 Peter 3:15a, NASB)
1 Peter 3:8–22
Suffering for Righteousness' Sake
8 Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 9 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. 10 For
“Whoever desires to love life
and see good days,
let him keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from speaking deceit;
11
let him turn away from evil and do good;
let him seek peace and pursue it.
12
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
and his ears are open to their prayer.
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 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; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil.
18 For Christ also suffered 1 3:18 Some manuscripts died 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, 19 in which 2 3:19 Or the Spirit, in whom he went and proclaimed 3 3:19 Or preached to the spirits in prison, 20 because 4 3:20 Or when they formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. 21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.
Dive Deeper | 1 Peter 3:8–22
I love the Book of 1 Peter because it offers a message of hope regardless of where we have been or what circumstances we are currently facing. It tells us that even in the midst of hurt and suffering, it is God's mercy that has given us a living hope through Christ's resurrection (1 Peter 1:3) and that we suffer grief and trials in this lifetime so that our faith may be proved genuine and result in God's glory (1 Peter 1:7).
1 Peter 3 tells us that how we conduct ourselves as believers, especially in the midst of suffering or trials, is important; and it calls us to live in harmony, kindness, and humility, keeping our tongues from evil and pursuing peace. We must not return evil for evil, but give blessing to those who would harm us (1 Peter 3:8-9). I don't know about you, but this is not my natural response. Fortunately, that's where God comes in. He calls us to sanctify Christ as Lord in our hearts (1 Peter 3:15a), no longer conforming to the patterns of the world, but being transformed by abiding in Christ (Romans 12:2, John 15:5).
What does this mean? It means that God cares about the way we live, and our lives should look different from the world. Not in a legalistic or a performance-based attempt toward morality (which is often the trap I fall into), but in a way that requires a heart transformation that only Jesus can provide. Heart transformation produces in us a confidence that, even when circumstances might be crumbling or our hearts are filled with pain, we have a living hope. We can trust that after we have suffered a little while, the God of grace will perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish us (1 Peter 5:10), resting in the assurance that God fully knows us (Psalm 139) and is still at work in us (Philippians 1:6). Regardless of what we are facing today, we are called to conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel (Philippians 1:27). But take heart, for although we are promised tribulations in this world, Jesus has overcome the world (John 16:33).
Discussion Questions
1. In what areas of your life have you experienced pain, suffering, and disappointment?
2. How is your heart being transformed through Jesus?
3. What characteristics or attributes does the Bible use to describe God?
4. According to the Bible, what is God's view on pain, suffering, and disappointment?