September 25, 2020
Nobody likes to suffer, yet the witness of the Scriptures is uniform in declaring that suffering is one of God’s greatest tools of transformation in the lives of His people. In his letters to the scattered church throughout Asia Minor, Peter addresses this issue and provides encouragement for believers who were under attack through persecution, oppression, and even direct attack by the enemy through false teachers. In the midst of their suffering, Peter reminds them to keep their eyes fixed on their eternal reward: Christ Jesus Himself! As we spend time over the next eight days reading the epistles of Peter, let’s make it out goal to fix our eyes on Jesus and to maintain joy in Him even through the most difficult trials and suffering!
Peter begins this chapter by giving instructions for how husbands and wives should follow the example of Christ in their marriage. He then goes on to explain how the church is to follow the righteous example of Jesus in their suffering, how they are never to repay evil for evil but to bless those who persecute them!
This backwards way of living and loving is a demonstration to the world of the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus: Peter commands his readers, “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord” (v.15a). It is only in revering Jesus in this way that we can learn to live as He did and have joy and life and peace in the midst of our suffering.
Peter seemingly assumes that people will ask how we can have such joy and peace in the midst of suffering if we really live this out (v.15b). When we live this way, it gets the attention of the world around us which has no lasting hope to get them through times of suffering and hardship. Our joy, peace, and rest in the midst of suffering is one of the greatest testimonies to the glory and worth of our Lord and Savior, who is our eternal hope, and living this way opens doors to proclaim Him to the people around us!
When God’s people suffer for doing good and remain full of joy, compassion, and abundant life, it demonstrates the reality of our faith to an unbelieving world.
1 Peter 3
Wives and Husbands
3 Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they see your respectful and pure conduct. 3 Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— 4 but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. 5 For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, 6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.
7 Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.
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 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 he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison,20 because 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.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Family Discussion Question:
- How can our conduct and attitude through times of suffering serve as a platform for proclaiming the gospel? How can you walk this out in obedience this week?
Heavenly Father,
How is it that you can love a sinner such as me? For you so loved me, you sent you son to die me.
Heavenly Father, you directed my path to knock on the right door at the right time trying to sell a Bible but the man who answered the door was a preacher and he took time to talk to me about Jesus.
Father, I could have left at any time. I knew he wasn’t going to buy. But Father, through the Holy Spirit he kept telling me of the good news. I left that home a new believer, and I have never been the same.
As only you can Father, send your Holy Spirit to someone wandering through life. Open their heart to listen to for your still, quiet voice calling them to surrender their lives to you.
Your power to forgive is to total. Your love for your creation is never ending.
Father, you are not a genie in a bottle that grants three wishes. You Father sent your son to die once for all that we may have life. You Father sent the Holy Spirit to live within us, to guide us, to strengthen us, to enable us to defeat any scheme of the devil against us.
Life is hard without Jesus in your heart. Oh wanderer, surrender today.
Take the step towards God right now……
I am praying for you.
Amen
[Who is the ‘wanderer’ you are praying for today?]
Gracias mi Dios por mi esposo tú me lo diste bendícelo y guíalo por tu senda tócale su corazón mi Dios ayúdame a ser una buena esposa y para que él venga a los pies de Cristo conforme tu palabra bendice mi familia protégelos protege esta nación ayúdanos a no desviarnos del bien y a seguir tus pasos para no ser piedra de tropiezo sino sal en la tierra para que más personas acerquen a ti mi Dios amado en nombre y por amor de tu hijo Jesucristo ?
Amen?
Dear Heavenly Father,
You want us to walk in the ways You would have us go to show others that this the only true way to live a rich and fulfilling life. Please help us all live a life pleasing to You. Despite all of my troubles and worries, I will lift up my eyes to the hills from whence cometh my strength. My strength comes from You ,LORD. Thank You for loving me and walking with me through the deep valleys and by the still waters. You restore my soul. I will fear no evil for You are with me. In Jesus’ name . Amen.
I will have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. I will not fear or be troubled.
AMEN and HALLELUJAH!!!! I will be mindful of your presence. I will walk in your love. I will be humble unto you. I want to thank you with all of my heart and soul that you forgave me of my sins. I will be greatful that you made a child of God. I pray with all my heart in Jesus name, Amen
AW Tozer lists deterrents to revival and lack of unity is one. 1. Lack of unity, 2. Lack of obedience, 3. Compromised spiritual decisions, 4. Lack of a burning desire for God, etc.
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,
Thank you, Lord, for the fellowship of your suffering.
Dear Lord,
Please help us all live a life pleasing to You. Despite all of my troubles and worries, I will lift up my eyes to the hills from whence cometh my strength. My strength comes from You ,LORD. Thank You for loving me and walking with me through the deep valleys and by the still waters. You restore my soul. I will fear no evil for You are with me. In Jesus’ name . Amen. Jan I liked what you said so much. These words are my thoughts as well.
Forgive me father for not being understanding with Ashley. Thank you father for being so understanding with me, empowering and transforming me to be a more understanding husband.