4: Enduring Unjust Suffering (1 Peter 2:11-25)

We are now in week 3 of this new series called “Hope for Suffering Saints”

from an ancient text, written by one of the closest disciples of Jesus, pointing beleaguered believers to their heavenly HOPE in the middle of difficult days.

Today we dive deeper as we learn the key to Enduring Unjust Suffering.

There isn't much more frustrating than being punished for doing what is right, but followers of Jesus better be ready to respond like Jesus did. That was the apostle Peter’s message to the 1st century Christians and a message we need to hear today too, since our culture continues to embrace what God says is evil while alienating those who speak up about what God says is good. For example...

Abortion - killing the innocent human life and turning the womb into a tomb. Our nation is more likely to protect unborn turtles than unborn humans.

Sexual Impurity - sexual activity outside of the marriage relationship between a biological male and female. Our culture is so backwards that it applauds those claiming to be ‘transexual’ people playing dress-up. The pro-nouns of “he” and “she” are under attack in favor of whatever FLAVOR you choose.

In 2014, Facebook offered a list of 56 GENDER OPTIONS to choose from.

*https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2014/02/heres-a-list-of-58-gender-options-for-facebook-users

Many ways to God. When we claim that Jesus is the ONLY way to God we will catch some serious heat.

The 1st century Christians typically faced a lot more suffering than we currently face, but the passage we look at today might become more precious to us as we enter into more and more hostile territory within our own country.

LET’S PRAY

Remember that Peter first referred his audience as “God’s elect exiles” (1 Pet 1:1), God’s HOUSE (1 Pet 2:5), God’s people (1 Pet 2:9-10) those who have an inheritance awaiting that will not perish, spoil, or fade (1 Pet 1:3-5). So while these believers have earthly homes, they have come to understand that they should be preparing for their eternal home. And that home is becoming more and more desirable as many of these followers of Jesus are facing persecution where they live. So, Peter continues his letter writing:

1 Peter 2:11–12 (NIV)

Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us.

First, believers are to abstain from sinful desires. Here are some of the desires that includes:

Galatians 5:19–21 (NLT)

When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

Contrary to what our culture often says, we can actually control our behavior. We aren’t animals that make decisions based on INSTINCT, but human beings made in the image of God, who have the intellectual ability to override what some might call our ‘instinctual’ desires. This is certainly true of followers of Jesus who whom the Holy Spirit lives in and empowers. God commands us to abstain from sinful desires.

This word translated “abstain” is from the Greek term meaning to be far away from*. The same term was used of the Prodigal whom the Father saw “while he was still a long way off” (Lk 15:20).

* Johannes P. Louw and Eugene Albert Nida, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains (New York: United Bible Societies, 1996), 724–725.

So, we aren’t to dabble or flirt with these sins. The question shouldn’t be, “How close can we get to sin and not sin?” That’s like asking, “How close can I get driving on the edge of the cliff and not fall off?”

Instead, we should keep the danger at a distance. WHY? These sinful desires…wage war against your soul. There is a CIVIL WAR going on inside of you and me. Our sinful desires are at war with our souls where the Spirit of God lives.

That’s why, as you’ve likely experienced, living in sin separates us from real relationship with God and His people. Living in sin dilutes our confidence in Christ and our ability to impact others for Him. Followers of Jesus - abstain from sinful desires! At the end of the day, when you have purpose, hope, & a clean conscience. - you’ll be glad you did!

Next, Peter challenges this Christian audience to...

1 Peter 2:12 (NIV)

Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us.

Where did Peter get this idea from? Probably from that GUY he followed around for years and saw rise from the dead! Jesus said:

Matthew 5:16 (NIV)

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Our LIVES are to overrule their LIES so that when Jesus returns - the day He visits us - they will glorify God because of our good deeds.

There will be a day of judgement where those who mistreated and lied about us will be confronted by the truth and forced to glorify God - to confess that He is good & what He says is true.

Could that mean that some who used to persecute us will thank God for our faithful example? Is it possible that some of our current enemies will become our brothers/sisters in Christ - that our consistent obedience to God will lead them to turn from their sins and follow Him too!?!? I sure hope so!

That’s what happened with a Roman jailer in Philippi (Acts 16:25-34). At midnight Paul & Silas were praying and singing to God in their prison cell while the other prisoners listened. When God brought about an earthquake that opened on the prison doors, the jailor was awakened to see all the doors open. Thinking they had all escaped and knowing it would cost his life, this jailor prepared to fall on his own sword, but Paul stopped him and reported that no man had escaped. Rather than just stick them all back in their cells, this man asked fell down trembling in front of Paul and Silas and asked, “What must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30).

What brought this jailor to this point? Had he seen the difference in Paul & Silas? Did he hear them praying, singing, or sharing the good news of Jesus with others? We simply aren’t told. The jailor certainly DID recognize that Paul & Silas spared his life by giving themselves up rather than running away.

Paul & Silas answered his question: “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” The jailor was so grateful that he took these prisoners TO HIS HOUSE, washed their wounds, and gave them a meal. And that guy and his whole family believed on Jesus and were baptized! How incredible is that!

This jailor, who certainly thought Paul and Silas had done wrong, saw their good deeds and glorified God!

1 Peter 2:13–15 (NIV)

Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by Him [the Lord] to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.

for the Lord’s sake In other words, we are to submit to governing rulers because this honors Jesus. This is what HE wants us to do.

How does Peter know this? He walked with Jesus for years. He watched Jesus for years. He listened to Jesus for years. And now he reminds those who have never seen physically nor heard Jesus audibly: Jesus commands us to submit to governing authorities as He did.

Think about THAT for a second - Jesus - God in skin - submitted to human authorities -

like Pagan Pilate when He said, “You would have no authority over me at all,...if it hadn’t been given you from above.” (Jn 19:11).

And when Jesus was asked about whether it was right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar, the emperor, or not. Jesus answered with the now-famous words, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” (Mk 12:17) Jesus wasn’t disobeying human authority. He was teaching others to submit to human authority, but never forgetting to first submit to our ULTIMATE AUTHORITY.

Jesus even paid the temple tax, despite being the Son of the Owner (God the Father). WHY? He did not want to cause offense (Mt 17:24-27). In this way no one could say that Jesus disobeyed the Roman authorities nor the Jewish authorities. In fact, He modeled what He expected Peter and rest of His disciples were to do. We should always submit to governing authorities UNTIL the governing authorities command us to disobey our ULTIMATE AUTHORITY. More on that in a moment.

We should always submit to governing authorities UNTIL the governing authorities command us to disobey our ULTIMATE AUTHORITY. More on that in a moment.

So, we - for the Lord’s sake - are to submit to every human authority - teachers, principles, police, IRS, governors, and the President. We don’t disobey because we don’t like RULES and we don’t like the RULERS. In submitting to THEM, we’re submitting to HIM (point up).

After all, Peter writes that these authorities are sent by Him [the Lord] to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. We should be thankful FOR them and TO them.

The next time you see a governing authority…THANK THEM for protecting you.

1 Peter 2:16–17 (NIV)

Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves [servants]. Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.

When people in America see the word “slaves” we almost always see images of the slavery of black families for generations. While masters could treat their slaves brutally in Peter’s day - even branding them and abusing them* - this was not always the case.

* Thomas R. Schreiner, 1, 2 Peter, Jude, vol. 37, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2003), 135.

David Helm notes that “A closer modern-day parallel might be someone who received their college education for free in exchange for serving five years in the armed services upon graduation. Or medical school students and residents who receive a wage but are nonetheless “owned” by the institution who has agreed to pay for their training.”

* David R. Helm, 1 & 2 Peter and Jude: Sharing Christ’s Sufferings, Preaching the Word (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2008), 94–95.

This is why this term is sometimes translated as “servants” (e.g. ESV) rather than “slaves”. Peter writes that followers of Jesus are to live as servant-slaves of God - owned by God because of the incredible price paid for them.

But this led some Christians to say, “We are servant-slaves of God, and have no need to submit to anyone else.” FALSE says Peter.

Followers of Jesus are to respect everyone, love our faith family, and honor the governing leaders but only to FEAR GOD who gives us breath. He is our Master and we live as God’s slaves [servants]. So, if we belong to Him - our Good Master who is trustworthy and kind, then we will obey His commands to treat others with value.

But how do we respond to earthly masters who aren’t trustworthy and kind - those who don’t treat others with value? That’s a good question and here’s a good answer:

1 Peter 2:18–20 (NIV)

Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.

While slavery in the Roman world was often “a temporary condition on the path to freedom”* until the person paid off the debt they owed or saved enough to purchase their citizenship (e.g. Acts 22:28)...

*Scot McKnight, 1 Peter, The NIV Application Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1996), 165.

Some slaves DID have masters who mistreated them.

One of the keys to enduring unjust suffering is being conscious of God - remembering that God sees it all - knowing that He is near and knowing that He knows the TRUTH. He knows our intentions and attitudes.

And when we submit to God in reverent fear and know that God is always NEAR - we CAN endure the pain of unjust suffering.

What’s that look like in our day?

When your boss mistreats you, yet you still show respect for his/her position, this is commendable before God.

When the judge makes a bad decision that impacts you, you might appeal the judgement, but you don’t disrespect the judge.

And if we are ever mistreated because of our faith in Jesus and obedience to Him, we must remember what Peter writes next:

1 Peter 2:21–23 (NIV)

To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps. “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” [Isaiah 53:9] When they hurled their insults at Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats. Instead, He entrusted himself to him who judges justly.

Peter once was one who retaliated - remember when he cut off the high priest’s servant’s ear when they came to arrest Jesus? THAT GUY is - years later - writing what we are reading. After watching Jesus and remembering all that Jesus taught, Peter decided to follow His example instead.

No more retaliation or threats. Peter would entrust himself to God and learn another key to enduring unjust suffering is remembering that Jesus did the same for us and He is WITH us when we suffer unjustly.

We can pull this all together with a real-life example from Simon Peter’s own life. Peter and the apostles are standing before the same men who handed Jesus over to the Romans to be put to death. These authorities had put them in prison for preaching the good news about Jesus. God miraculously set them free and they went back to sharing Jesus in the very same place they had earlier been arrested. The governing authorities have had enough!

Acts 5:28–29 (NIV)

“We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.” Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings!”

Here we see Peter and the apostles at a fork in the road. They are to submit to their earthly authorities, but now their earthly authorities are telling them to disobey their ETERNAL AUTHORITY. So, they disobey men in order to obey God.

But, following the example of Jesus, they didn’t retaliate. They didn’t make any threats. Instead, they entrusted themselves to Him who judges justly (1 Peter 2:23).

And here’s the result. The governing authorities apologized and all responded to the gospel message…oops - wrong ending. It turned out a little different than that.

In fact, Jesus told the apostles what would happen way before it ever did (Mark 13:9).

Acts 5:40–42 (NIV)

...They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.

This flogging was not like the flogging of Jesus by the Romans, but neither was it much fun. Many scholars think this was likely the traditional 39 lashes (Deut. 25:3, 2 Cor 11:24). Craig Keener notes that later rabbinical sources explain the process:

The person would be tied to a post or lie on the ground.

The offender would receive lashes with an interwoven whip made of calf leather.

They would receive 1/3 of the blows (13 lashes) on the chest and 2/3rds (26) lashes on the back.

* Craig S. Keener, Acts: An Exegetical Commentary & 2: Introduction and 1:1–14:28, vol. 1 (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2012–2013), 1242.

They didn’t deserve that beating! I think we might be REVOLTING over that…but they were REJOICING over that! Peter & the apostles got beaten and seemed to be thankful for an opportunity to suffer disgrace for the One who suffered disgrace for them! And that’s what Peter finishes this section of his letter with:

1 Peter 2:24–25 (NIV)

“He himself bore our sins” [Isaiah 53:11] in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by His wounds you have been healed.” [Is 53:5] For “you were like sheep going astray,” [Is 53:6] but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Note how Peter continues to point back to the 700 year old prophecy from Isaiah 53. And look at what Jesus has done for us - taking our sins on Himself and giving us His righteousness, so that we might live for righteousness.

This is the great exchange, where we hand Jesus the bill with a debt we could never repay and He pays it for us and hands it back saying PAID IN FULL.

And that’s why we should we live with thankfulness, righteousness, and graciousness - even when we have to Endure Unjust Suffering.

And that’s exactly what the author of this writing eventually did. Jesus foretold what would eventually happen to him, saying:

John 21:18–19 (NIV)

Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

That’s what Peter did.

And years later, Peter would be crucified by the Romans under the reign of Emperor Nero - the same man he tells this audience to submit to. I wonder how many people WILL GLORIFY GOD on the day he visits us - because of Simon Peter’s submission to God by Enduring Unjust Suffering.

Since then, God has used His people to point others to Jesus, even through the difficult days of persecution.

Effective Evangelism to Pagan Persecutors

John MacArthur writes about Herb & Ruth Clingen & their young son, American missionaries who were taken as prisoners of war by the Japanese for 3 years during WWII.

Herb’s diary told how his family’s captors tortured, murdered, and starved to death many of the camp’s other inmates. The prisoners particularly hated and feared the camp commandant, Konishi.

In February 1945 God spared the Clingens and others when Allied forces liberated the prison camp, preventing the commandant from carrying out his plan of shooting and killing all surviving prisoners.

Years later the Clingens “learned that Konishi had been found working as a grounds keeper at a Manila golf course. He was put on trial for his war crimes and hanged. Before his execution he professed conversion to Christianity, saying he had been deeply affected by the testimony of the Christian missionaries he had persecuted” (“Song of Deliverance,” 13).*

* John F. MacArthur Jr., 1 Peter, MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2004), 141.

FEET2FAITH

Submit to Jesus: Stiff-arm sinful desires & live in purity.

If Jesus is NOT your Master....WHO IS?

This week, may we purposefully PRAY FOR and SUBMIT TO the authorities in our lives, in honor of our Lord Jesus.

Do you have questions or need some help? Talk with us. Call us.

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UPCOMING EVENTS & INFO

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