I Peter 3:13-17

1 Peter 3:13-17

Peter knows that at times disciples would suffer because of their zeal to do good. Peter is not in denial in verse 13 but rather is minimizing the importance of persecution by contrasting it with the big picture. Jesus said, and Peter quotes, that we are ‘blessed when we suffer for what is right.’ The idea is that our lives are full or rich because of persecution, and in the last part of the verse, he explains why. We are told, “Do not fear their fear” or “intimidation”. This is a quote from Isaiah 8:12. In short, it means that as disciples, we do not fear what non-believers fear. A great deal of persecution stems from fear on the part of the persecutors. They fear the loss of power, they fear change, and they fear having to confront their own unresolved issues. Many people who are outside of Christ would rather remain in their sin, misery, dysfunction, and pain than to change. They are so afraid of the difficulty of moving through repentance they would rather stay put. The believer is a threat to their dull, flat world of self-control, power, and ever-diminishing pleasure. They fear the change; they fear the loss of the debris of their lives and so would rather attack Christians. The disciple’s acts of good behavior are enough to provoke their hurtful response. We do not live in the fear they live in; indeed, we are eager to lose everything for Christ. Verse 15 is often taken by itself and used to call Christians to be ready to evangelize. However, if our emphasis is on always being ready to defend or argue for the gospel, we have under emphasized some key points of these two verses.

The fact that we make the defense to those who ask indicates that we do not harangue the crowd with a bullhorn. Rather, we have developed a relationship so close and open that the difference in our lives is evident to those with whom we have the relationship. This presentation of our hope, Jesus Christ, is done with gentleness and reverence. How many times do Christians tell the truth in the voice of a know-it-all, condescending jerk? Gentleness in manner, boldness in message ought to be our theme. Additionally, the moral conduct of the believer is of such excellent quality that when someone brings an accusation against the disciple, they are not believed. The conduct of the disciple is known to be righteous. Truth plus gentleness and reverence plus holy living are a powerful argument for Christianity.

“Lord, help me grow and develop a strong argument for the Christian faith. AMEN”