crumbs47

 

Crumbs from the Master ‘s Table 47

1 Peter 3: 13-17 Suffering for the Good

Scripture 1 Peter 3:13-17 NIV 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; do not be frightened.”[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.

Crumbs Peter now faces up to one of life’s difficult questions, suffering. There is advice on how to cope with life but he has a specific type of suffering in mind, the unjust kind; the suffering that arises from doing good, from following Christ. One of the themes of 1 Peter is spiritual growth. Persecution hurts but it can lead to spiritual blessing. It need not harm our spiritual development, indeed it may enhance it. Peter proposes three things that help when confronted with such suffering.

1. Concentrate on our relationship with the Lord. Make sure He is Lord indeed in our daily lives. Let us offer Christ as a worshipful sacrifice, the insults and the pains we bear as the result of following Him Whatever our challenges it helps to have a heart filled with our Saviour.

2. Be very clear about the hope we have in Christ, so we can explain it clearly and politely to our tormentors. Through Bible study, prayer and contemplation let’s work out the nature of our hope so we can explain it to those who do not know the Saviour. To witness for Him is essential and people need Him; but let us be careful to show His love in the way that we do it

3. Keep a clear conscience. Our lives are a battle against sin, our sin. Repeatedly we have to bring our failures to the cross to receive cleansing and wholeness.

Queries ( for private thought or joint discussion) 1. What can we do to maintain Christ as Lord of our lives ? 2. What impact does hope have in our lives? How can we explain it to others? 3. How can we maintain a clear conscience What Part can prayer play in keeping us from sin ?

 Please note that this is also published on my blog along with poems and other items on https://pmgsblog.blogspot.com