****1 peter 3:13-15

1 Peter 3:13–17 (NRSV)

13 Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? 14 But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, 15 but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; 16 yet do it with gentleness and reverence. Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God’s will, than to suffer for doing evil.

As a Christian it’s not a matter if we will be persecuted, but when we will be persecuted and how we respond through the persecution. 2 Timothy 3:12 says, “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” It is not a matter of if you will be persecuted, but when and to what degree you will be persecuted. Persecution is coming to the people of God. It always has and it always will until the Lord returns with His people to rule and reign. Christianity is no stranger to persecution. From the outset of the church the ungodly has opposed the church and been obstinate towards the Christ.

Persecution against Christians is widespread and underreported. The Anglican Journal of Canada recently claimed that persecution is occurring in 183 nations of the world. The most intense persecutions and the worst persecutors are in Saudi Arabia, North Korea, and Laos. 100,000 Christians are reportedly being held at this very hour in North Korean labor camps.

It is reported that the 20th century had more Christian martyrs than any of the centuries before. The godly German theologian and pastor, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, suffered under the evil hands of Hitler wrote a well known book entitled, “The Cost of Discipleship.”

Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, “Discipleship means allegiance to the suffering Christ, and it is therefore not at all surprising that Christians should be called upon to suffer.”

Because He suffered we too will suffer! The world hated Him and the world will hate us because of Him. The trouble is in the world today there are many so called Christians that do not believe that Christians should suffer or sacrifice at all. Many in our world claim to be Christians, but they identify with the world and not with the Lord.

F. B. Meyer wrote, “Not to be hated by the world; to be loved and flattered and caressed by the world—is one of the most terrible positions in which a Christian can find himself … The absence of the world’s hate proves that we do not testify against it that its works are evil. The warmth of the world’s love proves that we are of its own. The friendship of the world is enmity with God. Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.”

Peter declared the possibility of persecution and the production of persecution. Christians should be conscious of the prospect of persecution and courageous in the period of persecution. I want to challenge the church to be ready for persecution and resolved in persecution. What effect would persecution have on your life and faith? Would you turn away from the Lord Jesus or would you take a stand for the Lord Jesus? This passage gives some challenges to the church about their position in persecution.

I. The persecution of a godly life (13–14)

A. The audacity of persecution (13)

“And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good?”

Peter had in the previous verse encouraged the church to turn away from evil and do good and to refrain from speaking evil. Peter had reminded the people of God that the presence of the Lord is with them and that His ears are opened to their prayers. No matter what they are going through or will go through the Lord will never leave them and He is right there with them. That fact is encouraging to all believers. We serve the Almighty Lord of glory who loves us and cares for us! In light of the fact that the Lord is with His people and His eyes are on us and His ears are open to us who would dare mess with a child of God. This was Peter’s line of thinking as the Holy Spirit directed him to pen these words. I can almost hear Peter say, “And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good?” What Peter is saying to the church is, “Who would have the audacity of attacking, hurting, harming, and persecuting a child of God?”

→ Peter wasn’t living in a fantasy world, but was driving home the point of God’s faithfulness to and His care for His people.

Peter asked a rhetorical question here! In Peter’s mind it would take a crazy, madman, evil man, Satan inspired, demon loving, Satan pleasing person to inflict a true child of God. It could be that Peter had in mind the wicked Roman Emperor Nero! He would fit that description to a tee! Peter poses a question but doesn’t rule out the possibility of persecution. In fact persecution is a very real possibility in the life of all Christians. Harm: kakoo, kak-o’-o; to injure; figurative to exasperate make evil affected, entreat evil, harm, hurt, vex. Christians have in the past and are in the present being harmed by the wicked and ungodly for doing what is right and obeying the Lord Jesus.

John 15:18–21 says, “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me.”

Persecution is a very real thing in the lives of men and women of God. FACTS: Satan and his servants have the audacity

◾ to attack and accuse,

◾ slander and suppress,

◾ criticize and cuss,

◾ isolate and intimidate,

◾ bully and beat,

◾ tempt and torture the people of God!

Ray Comfort is a faithful witness for the Lord Jesus Christ. He is an author and Christian speaker and trains others in “The Way of the Master” evangelism training. I have the first three seasons of “The Way of the Master” on DVD. Kirk Cameron also is part of this ministry and is highly involved in proclaiming the gospel. On one of the episodes Ray Comfort was on the streets of Jerusalem witnessing and open air preaching. Some Israeli people had gathered around Ray Comfort to hear him preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, but there was some that was obstinate. I remember one man who was shouting obscene and vulgar words at him and spitting at him. All this was on camera. Ray Comfort didn’t quit preaching and apologize for telling the people the truth. He didn’t get deterred by the opposition. He kept on sharing the gospel with the people of Israel. Ray Comfort was doing what is good and following the Lord Jesus and was being verbally abused and threatened by Jews who had rejected Jesus.

When we become followers of Jesus we become followers of what is good. Followers: mimetes, mim-ay-tace’; an imitator:-follower. NASB: Zealous: zealous. This verb means “to bum with zeal, to desire earnestly.” The Zealots took their name from this word. They were a group of Jewish nationalists who sought to bring political and social freedom to Israel at all costs. They would lie, cheat, steal, and kill to accomplish their mission. They were thoroughly committed to say the least.

Peter is telling the church that when we make a commitment to serve Jesus and follow Him that we are to be zealous for Him and His word and His will above all things. We need some men and women of God today that are zealous for the things of God! Some folks will have the audacity of harming a child of God in the will of God proclaiming the word of God.

In verse 13 we’ve noticed the audacity of the persecution. In verse 14 we see:

B. The accomplishment of persecution (14)

1. We are blessed (14a)

“But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.”

Peter tells the church that they are blessed when they suffer for the Lord. Persecution is working and accomplishing something in us and through us that we can’t calculate and that others can’t comprehend. Peter didn’t rule out the prospect of suffering even though Christian’s are followers of what is good. But even if you should suffer: This refers to a possible, but rare thing. This conveys the idea of “perchance” or “contrary to what is expected.” None of us look for suffering and want to suffer. We don’t get saved hoping that we will live a life of suffering, but suffering is a very real possibility in the life of a Christian. If and when suffering comes how would we respond to it? Will we draw near to the Lord or will we drift away from the Lord?

A person can respond to suffering like an egg or like a potato.

• A potato goes into the boiling water hard, but comes out pliable.

• An egg goes into the boiling water soft and comes out hard.

How are we going to respond when persecution comes our way? Peter is instructing the church about their response to the prospect of future suffering. Peter is talking about the possibility of suffering for being a Christian.

◾ We are not to suffer for being a lazy or being a liar.

◾ We are not to suffer for being a thug or being a thief.

We are bless only when we suffer for righteousness’ sake. Righteousness: dikaiosune, dik-ah-yos-oo’-nay; equity (of character or act); specially (Christian) justification righteousness. How many of us would be a prospect for suffering for righteousness’ sake? We are not to suffer for sin, but for the Savior.

Peter tells the church that they are blessed when they suffer for the Lord. Blessed: (KJV: Happy are you) makarios, mak-ar’-ee-os; supremely blest; by extension fortunate, well off:-blessed, happy (x -ier). This word describes the privilege and honor of suffering for the Lord Jesus Christ. Louis Barbieri wrote, “The term “happy” does not mean delight and joy. Rather, in using this term, Peter implies that a man who is called upon to suffer should consider himself highly privileged, for he is the object of divine favor.”

Peter and the other apostles would have had first-hand knowledge of this. They had been arrested for healing and preaching and thoroughly questioned and threatened by the authorities and high priest’s for preaching in the name of Jesus. They were threatened by the council and commanded to preach no more in Jesus name and then they were beaten. After they were beaten they were let go and the Bible says in Acts 5:41–42, “So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. 42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.”

Satan loves to intimidate God’s people by using force. He uses threats and then physical abuse! Peter had resolved to serve the Lord! He wanted his life to make a difference and honor the Lord Jesus Christ. If we do not learn from and grow through our trials then we have missed God’s will and missed out on God’s blessings. Romans 8:18 says, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Persecution accomplishes great things in the lives of God’s people and through the lives of God’s people. Peter tells the church that they are blessed when they suffer for righteousness’ sake. John MacArthur wrote, “Suffering must be viewed as an opportunity to receive spiritual blessings, not as an excuse to compromise the faith before a hostile world.” We learn that we are blessed when we suffer for righteousness’ sake. We also see:

2. We are to be bold (14b)

“But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.”

Peter again quotes the Old Testament to substantiate his point. He quotes from Isaiah 8:12 where Isaiah told the children of Israel to be brave and trust in the Lord and not to fear the Assyrians. The Assyrians were ready to invade Israel but God spoke to His people through the prophet Isaiah. They were not to be afraid of their threats or be troubled by them. Peter is telling the New Testament church not to fear the presence of and power of wicked men. They were to remain faithful to and stand firm for the Lord Jesus Christ. Afraid: phobeo, fob-eh’-o; to frighten, i.e. (passive) to be alarmed; by analogy to be in awe of, i.e. revere:-be (+ sore) afraid, fear (exceedingly), reverence. This is a command to us and for us to follow. We are not to fear persecution, trials, or threats.

Luke 12:4–7 Jesus says, “And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. 5 But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him! 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. 7 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.”

A proper fear of the Lord will alleviate any fear of man. We are blessed by the Lord and we are to be bold in the Lord. We are not to be afraid of their threats. Threats: (KJV: Terror; NASB: intimidation) phobos, fob’-os; (to be put in fear); alarm or fright:-be afraid, + exceedingly, fear, terror. The Lord knows what we are facing and what we will face. He can sustain us in trials or he can keep us from trials. In his song “Standing in the Fire” Ed Bruce sings these lyrics:

• Sometimes when I get weary; trying to do what’s right.

• Feeling outnumbered with no will left to fight.

• I lift up my eyes and fall down on my knees; give my cares to Jesus; He cares for me.

• When I’m standing in the fire; when the lions are all around me; When the waters rising higher; when temptation surrounds me; at the moment I’m most helpless; I’m delivered by His power when I’m standing in the Fire.

• When I cry out in distress; I know He hears my voice. He wraps His peace around me and makes my heart rejoice.

• There’s no need to worry He’s in control. I am safe in His hands He always knows.

• When I’m standing in the fire; when the lions are all around me; When the waters rising higher; when temptation surrounds me; at the moment I’m most helpless; I’m delivered by His power when I’m standing in the Fire.

• His blood has washed away my sin and set me free. It doesn’t matter how the world might threaten me.

• When I’m standing in the fire; when the lions are all around me; When the waters rising higher; when temptation surrounds me; at the moment I’m most helpless; I’m delivered by His power when I’m standing in the Fire.

In Corinth when Timothy and Silas came Paul testified to the Jews and Greeks that Jesus is the Christ. Many of the Corinthians had believed on the Lord Jesus Christ and were baptized. In Acts 18:9–10 the Bible says, “Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; 10 for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city.”

→ The Lord Jesus has the power to keep us from trials and He has the power to see us through trials.

Because we serve an all-powerful and all wise and all-knowing God we need to trust that He knows what He’s doing and He knows what’s best for us.

Peter tells the church not to fear their threats nor be troubled. Troubled: tarasso, tar-as’-so; to stir or agitate (roil water), to disturb, or trouble. The word literally means “not to be shaken or stirred up.” Our faith must not be shaken by their threats, but seen through their threats. How do we respond to those who oppose us because of our faith? Are we learning in and growing through trials? John Phillips said, “We are to suffer for the right reason, and with the right reaction, and with the right resolve.” How’s our resolve in suffering? Peter tells the church that they are blessed because of persecution and they are to be bold in the persecutions. We are not to back away or back down, but we are to stand strong for Jesus.

The facts are that we are not always going to be treated like we should. We are going to be:

• mistreated, left out,

• talked about, threatened,

• abused, and misused

• because we love Jesus

• and we serve Jesus!

II. The preparedness of a godly life (15)

A. The consecrated position of our Lord (15a)

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;”

Peter tells the church how they can be faithful to Jesus in times of pending danger and physical pressure. The only way a person can have the peace of God in times of threatening and abuse is to have the God of peace reigning as Lord of their lives. Peter quoted Isaiah 8:12 which is a command to the children of Israel to not fear the Assyrian armies pending attack. Peter used it to command the church not to fear the threats of those who would strike out at them and lash out at them. The only way we can do that is to have the Lord Jesus as personal Lord of our lives.

Alexander MacClaren said it well, “Only he who can say, ‘The Lord is the strength of my life’ can go on to say, ‘of whom shall I be afraid?’ ”

In verse 15 Peter gives important instruction about the consecrated position of our Lord. We are to sanctify the Lord in our hearts. Sanctify: (hagiazo) the word means “to make holy, purify or consecrate.” We understand this term best as “to set apart.” That is a good meaning of the word. Christians are to set apart the Jesus Christ as Lord of their lives.

INSIGHT: This word also comes out of a pagan Greek religion. It is the act of setting apart a building as a temple thus designating it to be religious in character and used for religious purposes. The Lord is to be set apart from everything that would vie for our attention and affection. He is to be set apart and to be set above. The Lord is to have a consecrated position in each of our lives that gives Him rule over every area of our lives. We are called to sanctify the Lord Jesus in our hearts. Not just on Sundays, special days, or holidays, but every day! Jesus Christ is to be Lord of all or He’s not Lord at all!

Johnny Hunt said, “My life exists for the express purpose of honoring the One who lives in me. The Christian life makes no sense, nor does the Christian lifestyle ever work until we set apart our lives to allow Jesus Christ to be Lord of all.”

We are to set Jesus Christ apart from all others and everything else as Master and Lord of our lives. Charles Spurgeon said, “If the professed convert distinctly and deliberately declares that he knows the Lord’s will, but does not mean to attend to it, you are not to pamper his presumptions. But, it is your duty to assure him that he is not saved.” If He is not Lord of your life He is not Savior of your soul! Notice: We are commanded to do this! It is our responsibility to submit to Jesus Christ as Lord every day and in every way. Lord: kurios, koo’-ree-os; from kuros (supremacy); supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication Mr. (as a respectful title), God, Lord, master, Sir. Kenneth Wuest wrote, “Peter was exhorting these Jews to set apart their Messiah, the Lord Jesus, as Jehovah, Very God, in their hearts, giving first place to Him in obedience of life.”

In verse 14 the command not to be afraid of their threats or troubled makes good sense in light of verse 15’s instruction to sanctify Christ as Lord. John Phillips wrote, “Once we sanctify Him as Lord, no foe can daunt us, no fear can haunt us.” Do you have Christ Jesus set apart as Lord?

John MacArthur wrote, “Believers who sanctify Christ set Him apart from all others as the sole object of their love, reverence, loyalty, and obedience. They recognize His perfection, magnify His glory, extol His pre-eminence, and submit themselves to His will, with the understanding that sometimes that submission includes suffering.”

The Bible commands us to “sanctify the Lord God in your hearts” Hearts: kardia, kar-dee’-ah; prolonged from a primary kar (Latin cor, “heart”); the heart, i.e. (figurative) the thoughts or feelings (mind). The “heart” was considered a place of deep emotions. It was the center of the person! It is at that point Christ is to be set apart as Lord!

• When He has our heart He’ll have our heads.

• When He has our affection He’ll have our attention.

Does the Lord Jesus reign in your heart today? Have you set Him apart? Have you consecrated Christ as Lord in your heart? Peter gives a word about the consecrated position of our Lord.

In verse 15 we also see:

B. The constant preparedness of our lives (15b)

1. We are to be ready to defend the faith (15a)

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you”

Peter tells the church that they are to constantly be prepared to defend the faith. The Bible teaches that preachers are to be “instant in season and out of season,” but this verse tells me that all Christian’s are to be instant and ready to defend the faith. Always: aei, ah-eye’; (apparently meaning continued duration); “ever;” by qualification regularly; by implication earnestly, always, ever.

The Bible tells us to sanctify the Lord Jesus Christ in our hearts and be ready to give a defense. Peter tells us to live godly in the midst of trials and troubles we must have Jesus Christ on the throne of our hearts, then and only then will we be ready, willing, and able to give a good word about our Lord. When we are not submitted to Jesus Christ then we are not filled with the Holy Spirit of God and we will not be sensitive to the leading of the Spirit and we will not be ready to give an answer. We must be prepared daily to declare our faith and defend the faith. When Jesus is Lord of our lives He will have reign over our lips. We will be able to tell others about Jesus.

Many of us are familiar with the Miranda Act which instructs all police officers to give the arrested party a review of their rights as a United States citizen. Often we hear these familiar lines on television or portrayed over the radio. The most familiar to us is “You have the right to remain silent; anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law …” The first time you hear these words spoken in person you realize the gravity of the situation. In a somewhat different way, the believer has another question asked of them. We are questioned about our faith and trust in God for our eternal salvation on a daily basis by the world and we are commanded to witness for our Lord. As a recent songwriter wrote, “You don’t have the right to remain silent if you have been arrested by God’s grace.” The truth is that all Christians are commanded to speak up and declare our faith. Christian’s are called to tell others about the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ and His saving grace and how we have been pardoned for our sins.

Peter tells the church that we are constantly be ready to tell the good news to a bad world.

Robert Leighton said, “The real Christian is all for Christ, has given up all right of himself to his Lord and Master, to be all His, to do and suffer for Him, and, therefore, he will surely not fail in this which is least, to speak for Him upon all occasions. If he sanctifies Him in his heart, the tongue will follow.”

We cannot be ashamed of Jesus and be a faithful witness for Jesus. When Jesus is Lord of our lives we’ll not be ashamed of Him. We’ll talk about Him at any time and at any place, and to anyone!

In Junior Hill’s book “Out of Season” he tells this story: One of my young evangelist friends was recently told by a pastor whom he was helping in a revival meeting, “I would suggest that you not use the word Jesus in your preaching. We have found that term to be offensive to those we are trying to reach. If you will use the word Lord it will not slight the religious convictions of others.”

• Acts 4:12 says, “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

• Philippians 2:9–11 says, “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Many in the world want to deny His name, reject His name, persecute those who love His name, undermine His name, or not even mention His name. I received an email from Tim Wildmon, President of the American Family Association.

Here’s the letter:

Dear Jack,

AFA has just learned that NASA has directed the name of ‘Jesus’ to be ousted from a publication coming out of the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. According to Fox News, the name of Jesus is not welcome in the center’s newsletter. A complaint has been filed on behalf of a group of Christians who work for NASA.

The censorship began last May, when the employee-based Praise and Worship Club placed an announcement in the space center’s newsletter, announcing the theme of their meeting, ‘Jesus is our Life.”

Soon after the newsletter hit the stands, the legal department called the organizers and told them they could not use the name of Jesus in their announcements. The club’s leadership was also told that ‘NASA would be censoring all future club announcements that featured the name, ‘Jesus.’ ”

NASA’s legal department explained that including the name ‘Jesus’ within the club’s announcement made the announcement ‘sectarian’ or denominational.’

They also alleged such announcements would cause NASA to violate the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the Unites States Constitution.

Wildmon noted, “We think NASA has become confused. The First Amendment guarantees freedom of religion, not censorship of religion. You’ll not declare the faith or defend the faith until Jesus is Lord of your life! Peter tells the church to always be ready to give a defense. Defense: (KJV: answer) apologia, ap-ol-og-ee’-ah; from the same as Greek (apologeomai); a plea (“apology”) answer (for self), clearing of self, defense. We get our English words “apology” and “apologetics” from this Greek word. This word was used as a legal term in courtrooms. It gives the picture of an attorney who defends his client against the charges brought against him. The lawyer gave a verbal defense and witness in the courtroom.

In the courtroom of life we are to be giving a verbal defense of the Christian faith. We are to be declaring what Jesus has done for us and what He offers to all others. Peter is giving a word about our constant preparedness. We are to always be ready to give a defense. To be able to defend the faith we must know the Lord, His word, and the fundamentals of the faith. We do not have to have a:

◾ Bible college degree,

◾ seminary training,

◾ a working knowledge of the languages,

◾ a good grasp of church history,

◾ or be familiar with church polity

◾ to defend the faith.

William Barclay said, “We must know what we believe; we must have thought it out; we must be able to state it intelligently and intelligibly. Our faith must be a first-hand discovery and not a second-hand story.”

To be constantly prepared and ready to defend the faith we must first be saved. Peter tells the church to be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you. We are never to slight anyone at any time. We are to defend the faith to all comers. Those who see our lives and question what keeps us going? Asks: (KJV: asketh) aiteo, ahee-teh’-o; to ask (in general) ask, beg, call for, crave, desire, require.

• What is different about you?

• How can you have peace in persecution?

• How can you be strong in opposition?

All kinds of questions will arise as we live out our faith and we will have opportunity upon opportunity to tell others about Jesus. We are to tell others of the hope that is in us. Hope: elpis, el-pece’; (to anticipate, usually with pleasure); expectation (abstract or concrete) or confidence faith, hope. Jesus Christ is our hope! Without Him we would have no hope. The hope that is in us is Jesus! We are to be ready to tell others about Jesus. Never be ashamed to talk about the Lord Jesus Christ. He is our hope! As the hymn says, “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly learn on Jesus name.” Colossians 1:27–28 says, “To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.” Practical Ways to Be READY:

◾ Pray, read the Bible, review God’s promises, and believe God’s promises and you will be ready to give a defense.

◾ Practice praising Jesus every day.

◾ When we focus on the Majesty, authority, and Position of our Lord we will have boldness to tell others of Him.

◾ Use plain speech and give the meaning to words that they might not be familiar with.

◾ Be compassionate and caring towards those we share with. Trust God to speak to their hearts.

◾ Listen to those who you are talking to.

Peter tells the church to always be ready to defend the faith. We are not only to be ready to defend the faith, we also learn:

2. We are to be reverent in our defense of the faith (15c)

“with meekness and fear.”

Peter reminds the church that we are to witness and he also tells us how we are to witness. Two words describe the Christian’s behavior in declaring our faith to a lost world. Meekness: prau’tes, prah-oo’-tace; mildness, i.e. (by implication) humility meekness. We are to share with a lost and dying world with gentleness and meekness. We are to use discernment in this world as we witness of the grace and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ.

John McClanahan wrote, “The word meekness could be used to describe a wild horse which had been broken to the bit and saddle. The animal’s strength had not been lessened. The raw, untamed nature, however, now was disciplined and brought under control so that the horses strength could be used most constructively.”

Sometimes we have to be stem with people and be bold, but that doesn’t mean that we take a 50 pound Bible and beat them over the head. We must understand that when we witness that it is not our words, our wisdom, or our works which saves anyone. Only the power of the Spirit of God drawing them and the blood of the Son of God cleansing them can save anyone.

A missionary in Jamaica was once questioning some little boys on the subject of meekness. He asked, “Who are the meek?” A little boy answered, “Those who give soft answers to rough questions.” We would do well to remember that little boys answer. We are to share the good news of the Lord Jesus in a spirit of meekness.

Peter uses another word in describing the manner in which Christians are to share. Fear: (phobos) which means “to alarm or frighten, be afraid; with exceedingly fear or terror.” This is where we get our English word for phobia.

Peter does not mean that we should be terrified of the one we are witnessing to, but we are to have reverential fear of the One we are witnessing for. We are not to fear man, but fear the Master.

Adrian Rogers wrote, “Meekness is not weakness. It means strength channeled, strength under control. And the word fear does not mean that we quake at the enemy. It’s not talking about being afraid of the devil. The Bible says, “In nothing be terrified by your adversaries.” The word fear here means reverence—the fear of God! And what is the fear of God but love on its knees? And those who love God the best fear Him the most.”

We ought to fear disappointing and hurting the Lord. We ought to fear letting Him down and bring reproach on His holy name. When we have a healthy fear of the Lord Jesus we want to be obedient to the Lord and we have a desire to see others come to know Jesus as Lord and Savior. Are we ready to defend the faith? Are we reverent in our defense of the faith?

We are daily bombarded with attacks on our faith. Christians must be well prepared to face the scrutiny and inspection of the world. How will you react to the examination of the world? Will you find that your preparedness is founded in self-reliance? Self-inspection should occur first before the world begins its “hearing” about your faith.

Warren Wiersbe said it well, “We are witnesses, not prosecuting attorneys! We must also be sure that our lives back up our defense. Peter did not suggest that Christians argue with lost people, but rather that we present to the unsaved an account of what we believe and why we believe it, in a loving manner. The purpose is not to win an argument but to win lost souls to Christ.”

Peter tells the church that the only way we can be ready to defend the faith and declare the faith is to have Jesus Christ set apart as Lord of our lives! We are to sanctify the Lord Jesus Christ in our hearts! Peter gave a word about the persecution of a godly life, the preparedness of a godly life, and in verses 16–17 we learn:

III. The production of a godly life (16–17)

Production: (Webster’s) to bring to view; to show; to bring forth; bear; to make or manufacture; to cause; to get ready for presentation; to yield something. There are all kinds of production going on in the world.

• Cows produce butter;

• chickens produce eggs;

• medical schools produce doctors and nurses;

• law schools produce lawyers,

• attorneys, prosecutors, judges;

• the armed forces produce soldiers;

• manufacturers produce clothes,

• medicines, vehicles, homes, appliances, etc. The world is full of production lines and new products on the market!

During WWII the car manufactures in Detroit stopped production of their vehicles and began to build tanks for the armed forces. As the soldiers were in France and Germany fighting, the civilians were at home working overtime to give the soldiers the tools to fight with. The British army even purchased many tanks and ships from the U.S. The work of the American civilians produced the fire power to help the American soldiers be successful in defeating Germany, Italy, and Japan.

There are many products that man produces that are helpful and useful, but there are some products that man has and does produce that are harmful and useless! Mankind produces things to help save lives and other times they produce things that destroy and take lives. Some things are legal and some things are illegal. Beer and alcohol producers make products that destroy homes, divide families, take lives, and ruin lives. Illegal drugs are produced in homes and labs by individuals and gangs that destroy and take lives.

Not everything that is produced in this world is worth producing! Not every book written is worth writing or worth reading. Not every movie produced is worth producing or worth watching. Schools, businesses, companies, teams, military, all are in the business of producing the best products and individuals that they can. The Lord is in the eternal production business! He takes lost, doomed and damned sinners and gives them life and changes their lives and makes them new creations that will reflect His glory and shine His light in this world. The church is the product of the life giving, soul saving, sin forgiving, mercy granting, and grace bestowing love of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Peter declared the production of a godly life. A godly life makes a difference in the world and is used by our Lord. I want to challenge the church to live godly lives that bring glory to Jesus. Do you live a godly life? Do you have a good conscience? When others speak evil of us do they have a legitimate claim? These verses reveal some facts about a godly life. What does a godly life produce? In verses 16–17 Peter reveals the production of a godly life. A godly life produces:

A. A good conscience that is evident (16a)

“having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.”

Peter has just challenged the church to always be ready to give a defense of the faith. Christian’s are to live in such a way that we would have a good conscience before God and our fellow man. When we come to Jesus Christ He makes us a new creation and forgives us of all our sins and gives us a clear conscience. Peter is teaching the church to remain faithful to God and obedient to God even in times of persecution and trial. Even when the world treats us unfairly and unjustly. We are not to defile our consciences by disobedient and dirty living. When we sanctify Christ as Lord of our lives and He has rule of us we can have a good conscience in this world. Conscience: suneidesis, soon-i’-day-sis; co-perception, i.e. moral consciousness, conscience. Conscience comes from two Latin words: con: which means “with” and scio: which means “to know.” Put together the word means “to know with.” We know right and wrong by the word of God and even sinners know when they are doing wrong! When the conscience is guided by the word of God and the Spirit of God we stay in tune with the Lord and carry out His will. Having a good conscience speaks of living a godly life that is pleasing to Jesus. We are not going to please everyone at all times. Not everyone is going to like us or get along with us. As a matter of fact many will slander us, persecute us, abuse us, and isolate us because we are living for Jesus.

Warren Wiersbe said, “A good conscience gives us peace in our hearts; and when we have peace within, we can face battles without. A good conscience removes from us the fear of what other people may know about us, say against us, or do to us. When Christ is Lord and we fear only God, we need not fear the threats, opinions, or actions of our enemies.”

William Shakespeare wrote, “Conscience doth make cowards of us all.” That is true of a lost world that doesn’t know God and that is separated from God. Christians should live in such a way that we do not fear what others see or hear or know about us. The sin in our lives before has been cleansed by the blood of the Lord Jesus and when we repent we change direction and change the way we live. We can live with a good conscience in this world thanks to Jesus! Paul testified of the good conscience of the missionaries among the Thessalonians.

1 Thessalonians 2:10–12 says, “You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe; 11 as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, 12 that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.”

Our good conscience should be evident to us and to others by the way we live. A saint is someone whose life makes it easier to believe in God. Do you have a good conscience today? Do you live without fear of others? Is your life a living testimony of the goodness and mercy of the Lord Jesus? No matter what we go through in this life, no matter where we are at, we should live in such a way that honors and glorifies the Lord Jesus. A godly life produces a good conscience that is evident. We also learn that a godly life produces:

B. Good conduct that is effective (16b–17)

1. To sustain us (16b)

“having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.”

Peter tells the church that their good conscience will help them in times we they are defamed, ridiculed, and slandered. It isn’t a matter of if we will be spoken evil of, but a matter of when! When you live for Jesus you will be persecuted. 2 Timothy 3:12 says, “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” There’s no doubt about it. People will call your good evil, they will question your motives, and they will revile your conduct. But our good conduct is used by God to sustain us in the heat of persecution. We are to do good because we love Jesus and we will continue to do good no matter what man may say or do. When we live for Jesus we will know that we are pleasing God and that will give us motivation to keep on keeping on. Defame: (KJV: speak evil) katalaleo, kat-al-al-eh’-o; from Greek (katalalos); to be a traducer, i.e. to slander speak against (evil of). This word describes verbal abuse and evil speaking.

Christian’s that live for Jesus will have their good conduct spoken of as evil by evildoers. The evildoers will call our good evil. What a contradiction! But that’s the way a lost world that doesn’t know Jesus operates. Evildoer: kakopoios, kak-op-oy-os’; from Greek (kakos) and Greek (poieo); a bad-doer; (special) a criminal, evil-doer, malefactor. Even when we are called evildoers we can maintain our good conduct because we have a good conscience. In the end it’s not a matter of what man says about us, but what the Lord says about us. The Lord

Jesus will have the final say and He has full knowledge and He will make the perfect and impartial judgment. Peter is encouraging the church to stay focused and not get distracted by attacks from wicked men. Our good conduct is effective. It is effective to sustain us. We also see:

2. To shame them (16c)

“having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.”

The Lord will sustain us through a good conscience and motive us to good conduct in spite of the opposition. Our good conduct is effective to sustain us, but it is also effective to shame them. Peter tells the church that their godly lives will put to shame those who malign, ridicule, slander, and abuse them. Peter uses a strong word when he speaks of how they speak of us. Revile: (KJV: falsely accuse) epereazo, ep-ay-reh-ad’-zo; from a compound of Greek (epi) and (probably) areia (threats); to insult, slander, use despitefully, falsely accuse. It is a fact that there will be those who tell lies on us, speak falsely about us, and say untrue things about us. If you hadn’t been lied about yet, ridiculed yet, slandered yet, hang on it will happen. Our godly life produces a good conscience and it also produces good conduct.

• Peter tells us that a by-product of our good conduct is not fame and fortune, but false accusations and fuming adversaries.

• Our good conduct does not produce praise and pomp from man, but reviling and resisting by man.

They defame us and revile us not because we try to do good, but because we do good in Christ! Don’t miss that! Mankind praises good works!

▆ The social gospel seeks to put

▆ clothes on a man’s back,

▆ food in a man’s stomach,

▆ and a roof over a man’s head

▆ without ever confronting the problem of sin

▆ and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.

We are to do good works, but we are to do good works in Jesus name. We are to feed the poor, cloth the poor, help the needy, all with the intent of sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with them. Our good conduct is to be in Christ! We are to do it

→ in His name,

→ for His glory,

→ and out of His love!

Colossians 3:17 says, “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” When we do good and let others know why we do what we do, Who motivates us, Who we love, then they will take offense. Christ is exclusive in that there is only One Messiah! There is only One way to heaven! There is only One Lord! As Christian’s we know the way, the truth, and the life and we are to be sharing the way, the truth, and the life to the world. Our good conduct in Christ will be spoken of as evil, but that should not distract us or deter us from living for Jesus.

Peter tells us that God will vindicate His people. Those who revile us as evil doers because we do good in Jesus name will be ashamed one day. There false accusations will be proved for what they are! There misrepresentation of Christianity and Christians will come back on them. Ashamed: kataischuno, kat-ahee-skhoo’-no; from Greek (kata) and Greek (aischunomai); to shame down, i.e. disgrace or (by implication) put to the blush, confound, dishonor, (be a-, make a-) shame (-d). Our godly conduct in Christ Jesus will testify against their slander one day!

◾ Every missionary that has ever been beaten,

◾ every teacher that has ever be mistreated,

◾ every pastor that has ever been threatened

◾ and abused all because of their love for

◾ and living for Jesus will be blessed by the Lord.

Those who revile, defame, and slander God’s saints will be ashamed! Our good conduct in Christ is effective. It is effective to sustain us, to shame them, and we also learn in verse 17:

3. To suffer for Him (17)

“For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.”

Peter makes it clear that it is better to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. It is possible to be in the will of God and suffer. Better: kreitton, krite’-tohn; stronger, i.e. (figurative) better, i.e. nobler, best, better. It is not good to suffer for evil doing, but if it is the will of God for us to go through suffering it is better than going through it out of the will of God. FACTS: The will of God at times will carry us into and through times of persecution and suffering. Will: thelema, thel’-ay-mah; a determination (properly the thing), i.e. (active) choice (special purpose, decree; abstract volition) or (passive) inclination, desire, pleasure, will. God’s will led His only begotten Son to Calvary for us. Jesus suffered for you and I so that we could be forgiven of all sin and have eternal life. William Barclay said, “Suffering Christians must always remember that they have a suffering Lord.” Our good conduct in Christ will at times bring persecution and reproach on us because of Who is in us. The world and the devil hates Jesus and those who know Jesus and serve Jesus. It is better to be in the will of God and suffer than to be out of the will of God and be at ease!

Puritan Thomas Watson wrote, “Afflictions work for good, as they make way for glory … Not that they merit glory, but they prepare for it. As ploughing prepares the earth for a crop, so afflictions prepare and make us ready for glory. The painter lays his gold upon dark colors, so God first lays the dark colors of affliction, and then He lays the golden color of glory. The vessel is first seasoned before wine is poured into it; the vessels of mercy are first seasoned with affliction, and then the wine of glory is poured in. Thus we see afflictions are not prejudicial, but beneficial, to the saints.”

God uses suffering in His will to glorify His name and accomplish His purposes. Charles Spurgeon said this, “God often takes away our comforts and our privileges in order to make us better Christians. He trains His soldiers, not in tents of ease and luxury, but by turning them out and using them to forced marches and hard service.”

▆ Lord, sometimes You have to break, so You can rebuild, wound, so You can heal, let me walk in darkness, so that I can see Your Light, let me be confused, so I seek Your truth;

▆ Let me feel emptiness, so You can fill me; let me feel lonely, so I can see what a friend You are; let me learn the hard things; so I can be a gentle teacher;

▆ Let me be void of feelings, so I must walk by faith; take away my future plans, to teach me to live one day at a time;

▆ Show me the futility of life, so I will see that everything is loss compared to the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.