Why so much talk about suffering? Well, “in this world, this life on this earth, you will have trouble…” says Jesus (John 16:33)
Suffer or suffering is mentioned 12 times in this little letter of 1Peter, whereas Paul uses it all of 7 times in all of his writings. Perhaps it is a matter of the subtle difference in each of their callings.
Paul, the missionary, church planter, theologian, who was given the task of
Bringing the Gospel to the Gentile world in clear and concise truth.
Working through the Law and translating it and its fulfillment in Christ to grace for the both the Jew and the Gentile
Constantly having to elaborate on that truth to instruct and correct the churches among the Gentiles as they worked out their salvation
Peter was first and foremost a shepherd - by calling and command (John 21; 1Peter 5) and was greatly concerned with the welfare of the sheep and their care - in Jesus, through him and other elders, and their care for one another
This is not an either/or, or an “I’ve got this, you’ve got that”
It is not that Paul did not care about the sheep, he did, hence the many letters and visits and impassioned prayers to strengthen them, to help them better understand and implement God’s word and will.
and...
It is not that Peter was not concerned with truth, as he is continually taking the believer back to the ancient text to explain the whats and whys of their faith and experiences. He is also the one, who later, refers to Paul’s writings and is the first (at least in the biblical text) to refer to them as scripture (2Peter 3:16)
But, the primary thrust of Peter’s heart and passion was and is the welfare of the heart of each and every believer as the “sojourn” through this world as aliens and strangers longing for their salvation to be fully realized and how they might live in the meantime…
Not only to live, themselves, but to live in such a way as to bring the reality of Jesus’ Life and Lordship in them to bear on their world - and being seen - be prepared to give their reason for their hope…
...not being frightened of anything (1John 4:18), but walking with a joyful hope of God’s faithfulness to His promise (1Peter 1; 2Peter 1; Ps 119)
So Peter, the shepherd, meets the sheep, us, right where we are in the raw experiences of this broken world that is so deeply affected by sin.
Reminding us that we need not be overcome, but that even though we suffer, there is an inexpressible and glorious joy to be had, as we await Jesus’ coming - as we will receive the goal of our faith, the salvation of our souls!
And in the meantime… live well, by living a life of love; and be on mission - as Jesus’ goodness leaks out of us - prepared to share the reason for the hope you have…
“I have told you these things so that you may have peace…, ...but take heart! I have overcome the world”
Peter, I am sure, is remembering these words, that he heard, from the Master’s mouth, and the hearing of these words was in the context of Jesus’ warning of what’s to come…
And the disciples would, believe it or not, still argue with one another…
1Pet 3:8-9
8Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. 9Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
1Peter 3:10-12
“Whoever would love life
and see good days
must keep their tongue from evil
and their lips from deceitful speech.
11They must turn from evil and do good;
they must seek peace and pursue it.
12For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
1Peter 3:13-18
13Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” 15But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 18For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.
Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?
Good - that is empowered by God through faith - what is upright and honorable
Titus 2:14 “11For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
Eph 2:10 10For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Matt 5:10 “Blessed are the… Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
1Peter 3:14 “But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed…”
1Pe 2:19 “if anyone endures the pain of unjust suffering because he conscious of God, this is to be commended”
Do not fear what they fear, do not be frightened…
Surprised by your suffering? Why?
1Pet 4:12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
In this world, there will be trouble… but do not be overcome, for I have overcome the world
If they persecuted me, why wouldn’t they, you? (Jo 15:20; 2Co 4:9)
Jesus’ goodness was
Not received
Not understood
Convicted those who would not receive - as the Spirit, the goodness of Christ in us, will convict…
And if Jesus, the perfect one was persecuted, how much you, who are of the same flesh? (Eph 2)
The World Hates the Disciple
18“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 20Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ b If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.
1Pet 3:14 “Do not fear what they fear, do not be frightened of the fear of cause…” or “do not be afraid of the terror they cause” or “the terror this world would bring”
1Peter 3:15 “But set Christ apart as Lord…”
The only One who ought to be feared is the one who can…
Therefore…
Sanctify as Lord “hallowed” (same as “hallowed be your name” Luke 11:2)
It is to love Jesus, for sure
It is also to revere, to hold Him in reverent awe
Truly honor Jesus as God
And, in so, Jesus will be your fear… Philippines 4:4-8
The object of your reverence and worship
Who is sovereign
Who as such, is the peace of your heart
The fruit of one, to one, for one, in one, Belonging to the One who possesses such preeminence and power - Galatians 5:22 “peace”
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of…” Prov 1;2
Knowledge
Wisdom
And in that, becomes our…
Peace
Confidence
Rom 8:31-35, 37 “31What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, k neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Rom 8:28-30 28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who i have been called according to his purpose. 29For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
