Persecution, Consequences, & Christ. 1 Peter 2:18-25

1 Peter 2:18–25 (ESV)

18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. 19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Peter uses the relationship between servants and masters to illustrate the situation that his readers were in.

Three things:

Peter gives instructions to servants who are believers in their relationship with their masters.

Peter provides insight to the way that Christians are called to respond to harsh treatment from unbelievers.

This passage allows us to see some implications for relationships that help us navigate the difficulties we experience with others.

1 Peter 2:18-20

18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. 19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.

A few points of clarity related to our subject matter today.

The NT addresses Christians in their situations, and focus primarily on individual relationships with God and how the gospel impacts what we believe and do as Christ followers. As such, we need to take note that 1. The NT never commends slavery as a social structure, nor does it justify slavery as an institution of God’s created order.

God’s people have been both good and evil in their accomplishments. And, at some points in history you find people justifying slavery and other atrocities in the name of God, and at other times you find Christianity as the solution to the deliverance and freedom of slaves.

Slavery is simply not justifiable. There is never a way to biblically support one image bearer owning another image bearer or their children. But, in a world marred by the stain of sin, God gives Christians instruction on how to live in the freedom of Christ, regardless of the situation.

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Instruction #1: Submit to those in authority over you, even if they are unjust.

This is clear, that you are to submit to those in authority over you, in particular masters and slaves, even when they are harsh toward you.

Instruction #2: Live for God in all situations, even if it results in suffering

Doing good rarely results in harsh treatment, unless doing good in the eyes of God goes against the commands of your master.

Doing the wrong things results in consequences, and clearly there were masters abusing people for their rebellion or mistakes. But, doing what is right can also bring about pain, and Christians are called to endure the pain and suffering and endure and continue in the behavior that caused it.

This leads me to insight #1…

Insight #1: It’s human nature to prioritize your well-being and your reputation, the problem is that human nature is sinful.

1 Peter 2:21-25

21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Peter’s instructions demonstrate a significant change in his life.

The insight and instruction that Peter gives demonstrates how Jesus has changed his heart. In Matthew 16 Peter was against Jesus suffering, in fact he goes so far as to say that he won’t let it happen to him. But, Jesus rebuked Peter and told him he needed to set his mind on the things of God and not the things of man.

Insight #2: God’s people serve through suffering, because the one we serve suffered first.

1 Peter 2:21-25

21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Jesus is the example we follow in our suffering.

Notice what Peter reminds us of here when it comes to Jesus… He reminds us that Jesus didn’t sin, therefore he didn’t deserve any consequences. And, because he had done no wrong, it would have made sense for Jesus to come to his own defense.

Jesus didn’t threaten anyone or publicly defend himself

Jesus trusted the Father to do what is right

Jesus suffered to the point of death

Jesus died to redeem and reconcile sinners to the Father

Application #1: Christian responsibility follows the redeeming work of Christ.

Peter experienced this in his relationship with the Lord and then his relationship with others. Peter’s view of the world and what to do in each and every situation has changed dramatically over time, and because Peter has been saved, he thinks differently about how to respond to situations and people.

I mentioned Matthew 16 earlier… Let me read a section to you:

Matthew 16:21–28 (ESV) says, “21 From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. 22 And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” 23 But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

Peter’s thoughts were human, man-centered, and in his mind- noble. He just wanted to defend the cause of Christ, he wanted to defend his master agains those who wanted to harm him. Peter would have fit in just fine here in MS!

Then in verse 24 Mathew records these words of Jesus.

“24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. 28 Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

“Worldview” “heart change”

Application #2: Christians have a responsibility to learn how to think Christianly about their circumstances and actions.

It’s normal today for people to feel and then do… but Christians should be people who respond rather than react.

You need a framework for evaluating how to think about your relationship with others.

Here’s a series of questions and answers you can use to evaluate your relationship and determine how you should handle the situation:

Have you done anything wrong, offensive, or hurtful to the person?

If yes, then you have a responsibility as a follower of Christ to reconcile the relationship by humbling yourself and seeking the person for forgiveness.

If they forgive you…

If they withhold forgiveness…

Have you done anything wrong, offensive, or hurtful to the person?

If no, ask yourself have I been kind, gracious, and loving to the person?

Now, let’s look at the situation that Peter is addressing specifically here.

Application: You need a framework for evaluating situations where you are being persecuted.

Thinking Christianly about difficult relationships and situations:

You need to know the definition of persecution

Why? Because if we are going to claim it, we should make sure we experience it. And, because some might be experiencing it, and not have a definition or category for their experience.

Persecution is “any hostility experienced as a result of proclaiming the name of Jesus.” (Open Doors)

That hostility can look different for each of the millions of believers who face persecution every day. Some experience rejection and isolation from their families, friends and communities. Others are denied access to basic needs like water, food and health care. Some face violent abuse, imprisonment and even death.

Based on the definition of persecution, most of us here in NE MS are dealing with the consequences of their decisions more than they are dealing with persecution.

You are not being persecuted for your faith unless you are experiencing hostility or harm because you have shared the gospel and/or made decisions to be faithful to Christ that have resulted in hostility or harm.

Not only do you need to know the definition of persecution, you also need to understand the difference between general relationship consequences and persecution.

The Word is clear for those who are being persecuted: Endure, stay faithful, and keep your eyes on Jesus.

The difference between relationship consequences and persecution.

Based on the definition of persecution, very few of us are experiencing it. Most people are dealing with the consequences of their decisions, actions, and words more than they are dealing with persecution.

Peter even made a distinction in his instructions. Peter points out that you could be persecuted by an unjust person for doing what is good, or you could be mistreated by a harsh person because they are simply evil or you have done something that has angered them.

For instance, you could be persecuted for doing what is good, or you could be dealing with a harsh and evil person because they are responding in kind to your bad action toward them.

In other situations, for instance what happens in relationships with healthy and loving individuals… You may be forgiven and loved, but yes still experience the consequence of the hurt you have caused or the trust you have broken.

Forgiveness does not negate consequences in relationships

There are many people today that say what they want and do what they want with no concern for the impact it makes on other people. Then, they require people to treat them the same in the name of Christianity. But, that’s no where close to Christianly. In fact, it is Biblical for your brother’s and sisters to draw some lines in their relationship with you until they see and can trust that there is true repentance.

You see, forgiveness is required among the body of Christ, and earning trust should also be something that Christians are willing to do in their relationship with one another.

But, I see this in marriage issues all the time. One spouse hurts the other…

The offender wants to be forgiven and for things to be like they never happened. But, this is impossible. Forgiveness can be given while at the same time trust has to be rebuilt.

I see the same type of situation in the home, a parent hurts a child… a sibling hurts another…

I see the same type of thing happen in the church all the time. One member hurts another…

I even experience it as a brother in Christ and in particular as a pastor. A member says something or does something…

The difference between suffering for doing what is good versus suffering for doing what is evil is simple.

Being given the opportunity to rebuild trust is result of forgiveness.

Forgiving and enduring are possible through the power of the Holy Spirit

If you are experiencing persecution… you are not alone and the Lord has not abandoned you

If you are in a difficult marriage…

If you are in a difficult family…

If you are in a difficult relationship

But, if you don’t know forgiveness, and if you haven’t trusted in Christ as your Savior then hear this: 1 Peter 2:21-25, “21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls."

Jesus loves you and suffered for you

Jesus died to bring you forgiveness

Jesus saves you into a relationship with God who will watch over you and care for you in each and every situation you experience.