Suffering for Righteousness Sake

Introduction

Can you please turn with me in your Bibles to 1 Peter 3:8-17

We are continuing our series called Peculiar People, on the book of 1 Peter.

In this series we are looking at how those who are in Christ are peculiar people.

Compared to the world; we are weird, we are different…

in who we are,

in how we live,

and in what we hope for.

We have spent the last few weeks being instructed by the Apostle Peter in how to live holy lives as a peculiar people among unbelievers.

But in our passage this morning, Peter turns to focus his teaching on how to suffer for Christ.

If you remember our first sermon in this series,

we talked about how Peter’s original audience for this epistle was experiencing persecution for their faith.

And we know from history that Asia minor would experience even worse persecution over the next century.

But as we look at this passage I want you notice the tone with which the Peter writes this section.

Even though Peter’s audience is undergoing persecution,

and will experience more suffering in the future,

The tone that he uses here is not one of defeat or despair,

it is one of hope.

Which takes us to our passage this morning.

1 Peter 3:8-17

1 Peter 3:8–17 ESV

Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.

Conduct for the Righteous (vv. 8-9)

Peter has spent the last section of scripture talking specifically to husbands, wives, slaves and citizens,

teaching each group how to live godly lives among the ungodly.

Now he broadens the scope of his teaching to include everyone in vv. 8-9 of our passage. Where he says,

1 Peter 3:8–9 ESV

Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.

Even in the midst of persecution and opposition, even when things are not fair,

the people of God are called to holiness, to live lives marked by righteousness.

Righteousness in the Church (v.8)

Here in v. 8 Peter lists five virtues that all believers are to have,

and you’ll notice that these five virtues all impact the unity and vitality of the body of believers, the Christian community.

So lets quickly examine each of these.

Unity of Mind

First of all, Peter encourages believers to be of one mind.

This echoes the many calls for Christian unity that we see in much of the New Testament.

It is also reflective of what Jesus asks for in his High priestly prayer in John 17,

where he twice asks the Father that his people, “might be one.”

But something we need to consider is what we are to unify around.

And Jesus tells us what that is in his high priestly prayer in John 17.

In his prayer Jesus asks that the Father would John 17:17 “Sanctify [his people] in the truth; [because he says] your word is truth.”

Actually it’s amazing how the scriptures factor into what Jesus prays in that high priestly prayer.

See, God gave us a standard to rally around, and that is his word.

That by the power of the Holy Spirit we might renew our minds by it,

be sanctified by it,

be taught, rebuked, corrected, and trained for righteousness by it.

Christ makes us righteous in the sight of God through his death on the cross,

but we live righteous lives when we live in obedience to the commands of God.

Theres no unity in Christ without unifying around what he taught.

We don’t unify around each other for unity’s sake, that is not true unity.

The only way we can truly be of one mind, is if our minds are renewed by the word of God.

To be among a people who are clear about what they believe,

and who encourage one another in the truth,

is so important when there is opposition coming from everywhere else.

We need to have true unity of mind.

Sympathy

Secondly, Peter tells us to be sympathetic.

This is a word that is taken directly from the greek that means “to understand.”

But the root of the word is πάσχω meaning “to suffer”.

So we can take this to mean that we are to understand (or be mindful of) each other’s suffering.

For a person who is undergoing persecution and suffering,

(who has lost a job, who has been thrown in prison, who may be facing death for their faith)

to know that their brothers and sisters in Christ are aware of their hardship,

who are praying for them, visiting them, still associating with them.

That can be an incredible comfort.

We need to be sympathetic with each other.

Brotherly Love

Next Peter encourages us to have brotherly love towards one another.

The word that is used here is not speaking about loving others in general,

but specifically means loving fellow believers; brothers and sisters in Christ.

1 John 5:1 tells us that, “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, [and then it says] and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him.”

everyone who loves the Father - loves whoever has been born of him.

Love for our brothers and sisters in Christ, those born of God, is an important sign of the reality of the new birth in you.

The children of God, love the children of God. True Christians love their brothers and sisters in Christ.

This means doing good to each other, meeting each other’s needs,

and having a genuine affection towards each other.

Tenderness of Heart

Much like the next virtue in Peter’s list: Tenderness of heart.

The word here is often translated as “compassionate.”

Our love and good works toward one another as brothers and sisters in Christ, ought to come from an honest concern for one another.

This is not performative, so you can look like a good person.

It is not manipulative, so that people will like you.

There’s nothing phoney about this love at all.

We ought to genuinely care for our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Humility of Mind

And finally, Peter encourages us to have “humility of mind.”

The Apostle Paul writes in Romans 12:3,

Romans 12:3 (ESV)

I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment.

Thats what Peter means here by “humility of mind”.

That we ought to think humbly and soberly about ourselves.

Not thinking of ourselves as being more important, or higher than anyone else.

A church full of proud people who don’t listen to one another,

serve one another,

who don’t repent when confronted with their sin,

is a church that will not endure when faced with opposition.

Point 1: Righteousness Strengthens the Church

All this brings me to my first point this morning.

Righteousness strengthens the church.

All of these virtues that Peter lists here in v. 8 are vital for a strong and flourishing church:

“unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, a humble mind.”

None of these are new, we can find them consistently throughout the new testament letters and the teaching of Jesus.

When the members of the church live their lives in obedience to the instruction and commands of God;

when we pursue righteousness,

that is what strengthens the church in times of peace,

and in times of persecution.

Righteous conduct in the people of God strengthens the church,

especially in the midst of opposition and hardship.

Righteousness to Outsiders (v. 9)

The righteousness of God’s people, also ought to extend to how we treat unbelievers.

Even to those who directly, and even violently, oppose us.

Peter writes in v. 9

1 Peter 3:9 ESV

Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.

These words of Peter are taken directly from the teaching of Jesus,

the Lord instructs us in Luke 6:27-28

Luke 6:27–28 (ESV)

“Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.”

See, for the people of God,

the wickedness of others is never an excuse to give into wickedness ourselves.

God does not ever bless wickedness, no matter what excuse you might have for giving in to it.

Wisdom from Psalm 34 (vv. 10-13)

Peter quotes from Psalm 34 to make this very point. He writes in vv. 10-12.

1 Peter 3:10–12 (ESV)

For

“Whoever desires to love life

and see good days,

let him keep his tongue from evil

and his lips from speaking deceit;

let him turn away from evil and do good;

let him seek peace and pursue it.

For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,

and his ears are open to their prayer.

But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

The way of the wicked versus the way of the righteous is a common theme in the wisdom literature of the Bible.

Psalm 34 was a song written by King David before he was made king.

David wrote this Psalm while he was being pursued by King Saul who wanted to put him to death.

Though David’s very life was in danger because of Saul’s hatred towards him,

he meditates on the wisdom of pursuing righteousness.

Because the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer.

God blesses his people who pursue righteousness.

Temporal Blessings for Righteousness

In this Psalm we see that there can be temporal blessings

(that is blessings in this world) for pursuing righteousness.

Peter says this very thing in v. 13 of our passage, 1 Peter 3:13

1 Peter 3:13 ESV

Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good?

As a general rule you will save yourself from a lot of natural consequences and temporal judgement if you don’t pursue wickedness.

You’re not going to be caught in a lie, if you don’t speak deceitfully.

You’re not going to destroy your body and soul with drugs and alcohol, if you don’t abuse them.

You’re not going to be financially ruined by gambling, if you don’t put your money down.

Giving in to vice is such a scam.

The pursuit of wickedness and degeneracy never leads to happiness.

And it doesn’t just lead to a disordered and miserable life in this world,

but it leads to judgment in the next.

Repentance

That is why the forgiveness and healing that Jesus Christ offers is so wonderful.

No matter what you have done in the past, you and I are both invited to repent of our sin, and put our faith in Jesus Christ for complete forgiveness.

As the wisdom of the Psalm says, turn away from evil and do good,

that is always open to you.

As long as you have breath in your lungs, you can repent and turn to Christ.

Pursuing your lusts, your vices, will never satisfy you.

They will always leave you empty.

But through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, the worst of sinners can receive complete forgiveness and eternal life.

A totally new direction for this life, and a totally new destination in the life to come.

Blessed for Suffering for Righteousness (vv. 13-14)

While the pursuit of wickedness leads to disorder and destruction.

The pursuit of righteousness generally leads to peace in life.

Because we live in a fallen world, those who pursue righteousness will experience suffering.

All people experience death, sickness, the hardships of life.

But rarely will the pursuit of righteousness be the cause of a person’s suffering.

There are times though when this does happen.

Remember Peter is writing to people who are undergoing persecution for their faith in Christ.

They are experiencing suffering directly because of their desire to obey God and pursue righteousness.

Peter writes to them in vv. 13-14 of our passage.

1 Peter 3:13–14 (ESV)

Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed.

Point 2: Righteousness Leads to Blessing

This leads me to my second point this morning:

2. Righteousness Leads to Blessing.

Pursuing righteousness is always worth it.

Even when the pursuit of righteousness leads to suffering in this world,

God still blesses it.

Jesus tells us how in Matthew 5:10-12

Matthew 5:10–12 (ESV)

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

We see this same blessing spoken of by the Apostle Paul

Some of the most beautiful words the Apostle Paul ever wrote were written from a dungeon called the mamertine prison in Rome.

These were also likely some of the last words he ever recorded, as he awaited his execution.

He writes in 2 Timothy 4:6-8

2 Timothy 4:6–8 (ESV)

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

Paul’s love for his saviour, and his obedience to Christ’s command to preach the gospel,

has led to his imprisonment, and would soon lead to his death.

To most people this does not seem like blessing.

But Paul had confidence that God’s eyes are on the righteous,

and that he rewards his servants when their time on earth is over.

And if you are in Christ, you can have that confidence too.

No Fear (v. 14)

This is why Peter goes on to write in vv. 14 of our passage.

1 Peter 3:14 ESV

But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled,

The confidence that God blesses those who suffer for righteousness,

empowers believers to meet opposition and even persecution without fear.

Church history is full of stories about faithful men and women who bravely faced opposition, persecution, and even death for the sake of the Gospel.

And there are countless Christians right now, all over the world who are also facing the same.

Trusting in the promises of God, that he blesses those who suffer for righteousness,

is what empowers believers to face whatever the world may throw at them.

Freeing us to pursue righteousness, whatever the cost.

As Peter writes in v. 17 of our passage, 1 Peter 3:17

1 Peter 3:17 ESV

For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.

In October of 1555, two protestant English clergymen, Hugh Latimer and Nicholas Ridley,

were taken out of the tower that they had been imprisoned in, and were brought to a stake setup in the city of Oxford.

By the order of the catholic Queen Mary, they were to be burned to death for their reformed convictions.

As the fire was being set at their feet, Nicholas Ridley called out to Latimer over the crowd,

“Be of good heart, brother, for God will either assuage the fury of the flame, or else strengthen us to abide it.”

Latimer replied with these famous last words, “Be of good comfort, Master Ridley, and play the man; we shall this day light such a candle, by God’s grace, in England, as I trust shall never be put out.”

That is confidence, faith that God blesses the suffering of the righteous.

Apologia (vv. 15-16)

Peter continues our passage in v. 15:

1 Peter 3:15 (ESV)

but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you;

When we honour Christ the Lord as holy, we will obey his commands.

This includes his command to live holy lives, to walk in righteousness,

but it also includes his command to proclaim the Gospel to the nations.

This is why we are instructed here to always be prepared to make a defence for the hope that is in us.

That word that is translated “make a defence,” is the greek word ἀπολογία, where we get our word “apologetics” from.

Apologetics is defending the faith, giving an answer.

Often a big part of sharing the gospel with others, is answering questions or objections to the christian faith.

If we want to be effective in evangelism we ought to be prepared to do so.

This is why we’ve hosted evangelism and apologetics classes in the past.

And hopefully soon we will have a few other avenues for people to grow

in answering some of the common questions and objects about the faith.

Also if you have questions please don’t hesitate to shoot me an email or visit me in my office.

Our other pastors and I want to be a resource you can use to help find biblical answers to questions you or your loved ones may have,

so please don’t ever be hesitant to reach out to one of us.

Especially nowadays it is important for us to be able to give an answer, to make a defence for the hope that we have in Christ.

But the manner in which we make a defence matters almost as much as the answers themselves.

Point 3: Righteousness Helps In Our Witness

Which takes me to my final point this morning.

3. Righteousness helps us in our witness.

Few things make people less inclined to hear the gospel,

than if it is presented in a proud or arrogant way.

That is why Peter writes in our passage in vv. 15-16, 1 Peter 3:15-16

1 Peter 3:15–16 (ESV)

always being prepared to make a defence to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behaviour in Christ may be put to shame.

In my ministry I’ve been blessed to have several opportunities to engage with people who have questions about and objections to the Christian faith.

I’ve even dealt with several people who were openly hostile to it.

I’ve learned that even when dealing with people who might be hostile to Christian faith,

by pursuing righteousness in how I interact with them,

by presenting answers with gentleness and respect.

People are more open to hearing what I have to say.

I make it a goal to be the most jovial person in the room,

especially with people who are hostile.

If your going to hear something that challenges your worldview,

hearing it from Santa Clause can make it easier to take.

Enjoy the person your interacting with, let them enjoy you and enjoy them.

If they are hostile, meet them with kindness.

The more cool and collected and joyful you are in giving a defence the better.

Do not give them any legitimate reason to accuse you of wrongdoing.

I say legitimate reason because sometimes people accuse Christians giving a defence of being insensitive, mean, hate filled, or making them feel unsafe,

not because its true, but as a tactic.

And it’s becoming more frequent in our society, as victimhood often has social capital tied to it.

Do not sin against the person, love them, and you will have a clean conscience, though they may slander you. Just like our passage says.

Be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.

When we pursue righteousness when sharing the gospel, or defending the faith,

it helps in the strength and effectiveness of our witness.

Conclusion

The Responsibility of Righteousness

It’s interesting, that in this section about opposition, persecution and suffering,

that Peter puts so much of his emphasis on the responsibility of believers, to live righteously.

This is so different than the kind of weak, therapeutic Christianity that is so often promoted in our culture.

Therapeutic religion is not something anyone would suffer for, die for, or defend

If the Christian faith is just something that you adopt in order to enhance your life.

If it is merely a way to live your best life now, well it doesn’t make sense to suffer for that.

But since the Christian faith is the truth, and the way of salvation for the world,

It is something to suffer for, die for, and to make a defence of.

There is no secret sauce to the church enduring opposition or persecution.

But just we we ought to pursue righteousness when we are at peace with those around us,

the pursuit of righteousness is vital for when we do face opposition and persecution.

As righteousness strengthens the church,

leads to blessing,

and helps us in our witness.

As we seek to further the mission of the kingdom of God, even in the face of opposition.