Suffering for Doing Good!
These verses contain one of the most often quoted verses by Christians. 1 Peter says, "But In your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give you a reason for the hope you have. But do this with gentleness and respect."
Though this verse is usually associated with teaching people how to share their faith in an evangelistic way. It's primary context is when a Christian is suffering for doing good. In fact, this verse is shared to prepare those who are being threatened for their belief in Christ. Instead of returning evil for evil, they are to return evil with good. And when they do this, there may be some who will continue to harass them. But he says it is better to suffer for doing good than doing evil.
But there also be a time, when you return evil with good, that it will open a door for the gospel. Why? Because the world is not used to that behavior. The world is used to getting even, and getting what you paid for. In in some cases Peter says some may ask you for the reason for the hope you have in you. After all, who would suffer for doing good, unless they had some hope beyond the immediate situation. Note is says "when you are asked". Sometimes we assume people want to hear about our faith, or we force the Gospel in situations where the timing is not right. But when we are asked there is a curiosity there. There is a seeking of why you are different. There is an openness to the gospel. Then and there, we have a chance to give the reason for the hope we have been given.
And the reason for the hope we have is a simple explanation of what Jesus has done for us. How we were lost and then found. We were slaves that have been set free. Children who have been adopted by the Father through the Son. We were once in darkness and have found the light. Now we wouldn't use all those metaphors at once. But as we look at our faith story, we could briefly explain how Jesus' love for us has become real for us. And how what he did on the cross has given us new life. And in the end our answer or testimony is not what saves someone, but the Holy Spirit uses it to convict the person of their need for a Savior.
Jesus tells us that as we live our our faith in real ways, we might suffer for doing good. But in that moment as we stay faithful and reliant in God, it just might be an open door for someone else to come to faith in Christ.
1 Peter 3:8-18
Suffering for Doing Good
8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. 9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For,
“Whoever would love life
and see good days
must keep their tongue from evil
and their lips from deceitful speech.
11 They must turn from evil and do good;
they must seek peace and pursue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”[a]
13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats[b]; do not be frightened.”[c] 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17 For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.
Though this verse is usually associated with teaching people how to share their faith in an evangelistic way. It's primary context is when a Christian is suffering for doing good. In fact, this verse is shared to prepare those who are being threatened for their belief in Christ. Instead of returning evil for evil, they are to return evil with good. And when they do this, there may be some who will continue to harass them. But he says it is better to suffer for doing good than doing evil.
But there also be a time, when you return evil with good, that it will open a door for the gospel. Why? Because the world is not used to that behavior. The world is used to getting even, and getting what you paid for. In in some cases Peter says some may ask you for the reason for the hope you have in you. After all, who would suffer for doing good, unless they had some hope beyond the immediate situation. Note is says "when you are asked". Sometimes we assume people want to hear about our faith, or we force the Gospel in situations where the timing is not right. But when we are asked there is a curiosity there. There is a seeking of why you are different. There is an openness to the gospel. Then and there, we have a chance to give the reason for the hope we have been given.
And the reason for the hope we have is a simple explanation of what Jesus has done for us. How we were lost and then found. We were slaves that have been set free. Children who have been adopted by the Father through the Son. We were once in darkness and have found the light. Now we wouldn't use all those metaphors at once. But as we look at our faith story, we could briefly explain how Jesus' love for us has become real for us. And how what he did on the cross has given us new life. And in the end our answer or testimony is not what saves someone, but the Holy Spirit uses it to convict the person of their need for a Savior.
Jesus tells us that as we live our our faith in real ways, we might suffer for doing good. But in that moment as we stay faithful and reliant in God, it just might be an open door for someone else to come to faith in Christ.
1 Peter 3:8-18
Suffering for Doing Good
8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. 9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For,
“Whoever would love life
and see good days
must keep their tongue from evil
and their lips from deceitful speech.
11 They must turn from evil and do good;
they must seek peace and pursue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”[a]
13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats[b]; do not be frightened.”[c] 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17 For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.
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