Category: Spiritual

1 Peter 3:17-18 NKJV

When it comes to suffering, honestly speaking, none of us – believers and unbelievers alike – want to suffer. Yet, all people will experience suffering because we live in a fallen world. Due to man’s disobedience, sin entered the world, resulting in death. So, in His infinite wisdom God uses suffering as a means of bringing about spiritual growth for His children, leading them into a more intimate relationship with Him. In scripture we are told; “Don’t be ashamed to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God that you belong to him” (1 Pet. 4:16 CEV). Therefore, it is essential that believers live so that their lives will daily reflect who they are in Christ. Jesus taught us in Matt. 5:11 that you are blessed when the world revile and persecute you and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for His sake.

Peter continued his instructions on suffering: “For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil” (v.17). Since we are “children of God, and if children then heirs – heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together” (Rom. 8:16-17). “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us (you) to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit” (v.18). God wills that even in the face of opposition believers suffer for doing good not for doing evil. 

Lift your voice and shout “Glory!”

1 Peter 3:13-16

Apostle Peter continued addressed Jewish converts, who were dispersed temporarily throughout Asia Minor due to persecution (1:1). He urged them to be confident in who they were, knowing that they who do good are always in the Lord’s hands. Being in relationship with a kind and loving God, gives them assurance that He always watches over them and is attentive to their prayers (v.12). 

He continued: “Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good” (v.13)? He knew full well the righteous may be harmed or threatened, but their greatest assurance against the unrighteous’ eagerness to bring harm   would be their trust in God. Peter told them that even if they should suffer for righteousness’ sake, they are blessed and should not allow threats from their enemies cause them to be fearful nor troubled (v.14). Jesus suffered for us, giving His life while we were enemies. Therefore, the little troubles we are going through are temporary and getting us ready for an eternal glory that will make all our troubles seem like nothing. So, for peace sake trust God, and keep your minds stayed on Him not the trouble of the world. 

Peter encouraged these believers to “sanctify the Lord God in your hearts” (v.15). Set Him apart as Lord, ruling in your hearts. He told them to always be ready to defend who they are to everyone who asks why they have hope. In doing this they are “keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against their good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander” (v.16 NIV).  

Lift your voice and shout, “Glory!”                             

1 Peter 3:11-12

As citizens of the kingdom of God, Christians, being in a unique relationship with Jesus Christ have the responsibility to live in submission to His will. This gives them a Christlike prospective of life and how to interact with and bless others. Therefore, they are called out of love for Him to humbly submit to one another. Also, if believers want to enjoy lifeand see many happy days, they are commanded to keep their tongue from evil and lips from dishonesty.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

He further commanded believers to “eschew evil and do good; let him seek peace and ensue it” (v.11). Believers have the responsibility to deliberately shun evil and do good; they are to earnestly desire peace and follow it. There are times when believers may want to return evil for evil. However, they must reflect who they are in Christ. Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God” (Matt. 5:9).

We know God is omniscient and omnipresent and sees what’s going on with both the righteous and the evil. However, Apostle Peter said, “For the eyes of the Lord are [looking favorably] upon the righteous (the upright), And His ears are attentive to their prayer (eager to answer), But the face of the Lord is against those who practice evil” (v.12 AMP). Our heavenly Father cares for His people and is always watching over them. He sees what they’re going through and is eager to answer their prayers while those who practice evil will experience His wrath for His face is against them. 

Lift your voice and shout, “Glory!”  

1 Peter 3:10

We read in v.9 Peter encouraged believers to “not return evil with evil or insult with insult, but rather to give a blessing to one another, knowing that for the very purpose of blessing, you are called that you should inherit a blessing.” Yes, it is a challenge for believers to resist the temptation of firing back. Consider that Jesus was hanging on the cross; He said Father “Forgive them for they know not what they do” (Lk. 23:34).

Peter continued, “For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile” (v.10). He instructed Christians to control what words come out of their mouth because words matter. Matthew declared: “But the words you speak come from the heart – that’s what defiles you” (15:18). Proverbs said: “The tongue has the power of life and death…” (18:21). Therefore, Christians are to keep their tongue from evil, saying all manner of mean and hurtful things and keep their lips from speaking lies and deceitful words. In short, control your speech; do not let corrupt, or unwholesome, communication come out of your mouths. Colossians 4:6 encourages believers to “let their conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt.” Your words should humbly and lovingly reflect that you belong to Christ and are kingdom builders. Apostle Peter declared that controlling your words results in your love for life and having good days even to everlasting life. 

Today, will you let your words reflect your love for life and see good days? If so, lift your voice and shout, “Glory!”  

1 Peter 3:8-9

As children of God, we reside in this world but are not of this world; we are citizens of the kingdom of God. Therefore, we have the great responsibility of living in submission to the will of God. In so doing this will give us the godly prospective of life and how we interact with others. Prior to the key Scriptural passage, Apostle Peter addressed various groups, dealing with the relationship of Christians to others: foreigners and exiles (2:11-17), and servants and masters (2:18-25); also, he addressed Christian wives (3:1-6) and Christian husbands (3:7).

Then he commanded, “Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous” (v.8). When Peter said “finally,” this was in reference to the previous groups he discussed which dealt with the relationship of Christians to others. Here the apostle instructed believers to be unified in their thinking: “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 2:5). It is only through Christ that we can humble ourselves to relate with others in harmony. As members of the household of God, believers are to have sympathy for one another, love each other as brothers, be kindhearted and respectful of each other.  

Peter continued with the command that believers “not render evil for evil, or insult for insult: but rather, give a blessing [pray for one another’s well-being, contentment, and protection]; knowing that you are called for this very purpose, that you should inherit a blessing [from God that brings well-being, happiness, and protection]” (v.9). Believers’ humble submission to one another reflects God’s character in their daily interactions. 

Lift your voice and shout, “Glory!”