Christ's control>Others opposition

Introduction

So we have talked a few different times in a few different passages about the persecution of Christians and how to act when you suffer; however, Peter has mentioned it in 1:6; 2:12, 15, 19; 3:1, and 9 but this is the first passage that Peter deals with it as the primary subject and the first time he deals with opposition. The last few weeks we have talked about heaping up blessings on others that do bad to you (, “If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.”), we have talked about loving other Christians and resolving conflict with others while maintaining spiritual integrity and obeying the Word of God (, ), we have seen Jesus’ position as the cornerstone of the church () and we have seen his example of turning the other cheek and becoming a servant here on earth (). But the question today is…how do we honestly look at persecution as Peter puts it in chapter 1:6-7 “In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” to be a treasure and what should we be focused on so that we can endure with love, gentleness, and joy?

Honor Christ above everything (v. 15a)

Fearing others gives them control over you. When you allow others to instill fear into you they can often dictate how you act, where you go, what you say, etc. (Ex. When someone is bullying you you avoid them, you tell them what they want to hear, you do as they tell you to do, you let them speak lies about who you are which gives them authority to define who you are.)

Fear (honor) Christ not other people brings freedom- Fearing the Lord over opposition has been a common theme from Moses, David, and Joseph as the enemies that they faced and the opposition they faced were strong, but God was bigger than all of their worries, fears, and opposition.

Living a life eager to do good usually results in peace with others, but sometimes that isn’t the case. Sometimes we will catch some opposition because of our dedication to do what is good and what is right.

Christ being holy one means Christ being the only one. Christ being regarded as or seen to be holy in our hearts means that we have a deep and unshakable conviction that Jesus is in control of events. And in verse 22 (which we will unpack in a few weeks) tells us that even now has all angels, authorities, and powers subject to him and his sovereignty or control over everything. So we don’t need to worry when things that are out of our realm of control seem to be going wrong because they are not going wrong but are being weaved together for the glory of God.

English Standard Version Chapter 8

Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread. 13 But the LORD of hosts, him you shall honor as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.

Know what Christ has done for you (v.15b)

Know your testimony- If you are a disciple of Christ then you have been pulled from out of darkness and into the marvelous light of the truth that God has revealed to us that Jesus is the savior and He is the only way to be reconciled to God. You have been raised to life in Christ after being dead in your sins. So…regardless of what you have done in your life prior to Christ that you are not proud of you have been reconciled to God and those past, present, and future sins have been paid for by the blood of Jesus Christ. You have a testimony that tells of God’s grace, His mercy, His goodness, and His love for you despite the person that you were.

Share your testimony- We are called to tell people about the goodness of God not only from the Word of God but from personal experience in your relationship with Him. If your relationship with God is an active faith that is growing and strengthening (or in a rough spot) you should be aware of it and you should be telling people about what God has done in your life in the past and what God is doing in your life now. Don’t just KNOW what God has done in and through your life, but SHARE what God has done in your life.

Your testimony is powerful because of Jesus and since its powerful it is going to produce life change in other people when you share it (not every time but it will happen).

Have a clear conscience (v.16)

Don’t allow sin to go without being confronted and without being repented for. Having a clear conscience means:

Avoiding conscious or willful disobedience to God throughout the Day

Practice repentance and prayer for forgiveness (cleansing of conscience)whenever you are aware of any sin in your life.

Having a clear conscience is freedom in Christ and can become a benefit to effectiveness in prayer () and confident access to God in worship (). So, having a clear conscience have spiritual benefits, but also physical benefits.

Having a clear conscience puts a slanderer to shame, but can also lead slanderers to Christ. Your clear conscience and clear testimony with and about God gives you access to freedom from sin and Satan’s ploy towards shame, guilt, and condemnation.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.