Persecution is certainly not new to God’s people. Throughout human history, God’s people have faced the brunt of all kinds of heinous acts. Peter, in 1 Peter, writes to prepare believers for times of suffering. He answers the question: How is the believer to face persecution as shameless sufferers?
We discover in 1 Peter 3:13-14 that Peter challenges believers to always answer evil with good. Now, Peter lived in the real world, and he knew that evil exists and people hurt people. Therefore, he encourages the Christ-follower to not give up on doing good. Jesus taught us not to fear human persecutors, who can’t rob you of your salvation, but have reverence and trust in God who determines our human destinies based on our response to Christ (see: Matt 10:28). As believers, God will care for us, especially when we suffer unjustly. Though the adversary, through physical suffering or material hardship, would distress those who desire to do good, no real harm can come to those who belong to Christ. For even if suffering should occur, Christians are eternally blessed and therefore should not be frightened. How does a believer face persecution as shameless sufferers? A believer does not fear threats of persecutions. The believer is to allow their faith to overcome fear enabling them to continue to do good.
Then, in 1 Peter 3:15-16, Peter writes that the Christian, instead of being afraid, is to honor Christ. In other words, a believer believes God is with them. As Christ-followers, we are to acknowledge God, as the very center of life, there is one Lord, who is Jesus Christ. Now, we can allow other things to invade the center of our heart, where the Lord alone is to sit. We can either have Christ as Lord or we can wrongly permit other things to take His place and lord over us. We can bow to our own selfish desires, the opinion of others, worldly wisdom, the pressure of circumstances, and the list goes on and on. However, the believer is to acknowledge Jesus Christ and Him alone as Lord and Savior.
How does a believer who believes God is with them behave? They make sure Christ controls their heart. When Jesus Christ is Lord of our lives, each crisis becomes an opportunity for witness. A crisis creates the opportunity for witness when a believer behaves with faith and hope because those who have yet to receive Christ as Savior will then sit up and take notice. As Christ controls their heart, they are ready to answer those who question their faith. Not only that, but we are to do this with a good conscience. A good conscience comes from living and responding in love. Time and time again, throughout the ages, God has used the good conduct of Christians under persecution to make persecutors ashamed and draw them to Himself.
Lastly, Peter writes: “For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil” (1 Peter 3:17). None of us want to suffer. But if we must, may it be for “doing good” and not for “doing evil.” Shameless suffering is when we are persecuted for “doing good.”
It is better to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. Those who suffer for good receive a blessing. Those who suffer due to evil get what they deserve.
Again, none of us wants to suffer, but when we do, for Christ’s sake, we don’t have to fear. We know God is with us. As we place our trust in Christ and He controls our hearts, we can use suffering as an opportunity to share the reason for our hope with those yet to believe and do so in a way that displays love for others and respect for God. We can do all of this by the power of the Spirit. Even further, we can do this with confidence in the eternal blessings awaiting those who believe.
It is such an honor serving Christ with each of you. Life is not always easy, but God is always faithful. Let’s heed Peter’s teaching and, even in the face of suffering, continue to walk with Christ doing good. Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone)!