Good morning!
We're so glad you decided to join us today!
When we meet in person, we share our joys and concerns with each other. If you have prayer requests to share, you can add them to the comments on this post. When you are ready, you may use the prayer below to get started:
Gracious God, we see suffering all around us and we try to find a reason for it. We think of those who are suffering in their relationships, in their health, in their finances and in grief over the loss of a loved one. We don’t know why we must go through such times, but we know that, as Christians, we don’t go through them alone.
Even when we can’t find a reason for our suffering, we know that you can use such moments to shape us into better people and more faithful followers of Christ. We know that our response to suffering can serve as a witness to those outside the faith, and so our suffering is never without purpose. Help us to rely on you in all the times of our lives, and help us to draw closer to you in the challenging times. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.
This week's lesson is on 1 Peter 3:8-17.
Lesson context
The letter of 1 Peter is one of two existing letters by that apostle. The recipients of both letters were the various churches found in an area of northeastern Asia Minor, located in modern-day Turkey. The occasion for Peter’s letter was primarily a response to the suffering of believers, particularly since more was yet to come. (See 1 Peter 1:6-7.) Peter could address whatever suffering his audience had or would experience because he had been “a witness of Christ’s sufferings” (5:1). Peter himself had also suffered for that name. (Acts 12)
Right behavior (verses 8-12)
Verse 8 as a whole is only nine words in the original Greek language. Five of the nine words are adjectives that describe behavior sitting for believers facing a hostile world. The first adjective is translated as “like-minded and describes the desired unity of believers. This is a gift from God that is stressed throughout the New Testament, which speaks of its importance. The second adjective is translated “sympathy.” The third is philadelphoi, translated as love. This terms is used for the kind of love shared among family members and is the word from which we get “Philadelphia,” the city of brotherly love. The fourth and fifth adjectives are translated as compassion and humility. They provide the basis by which believers can live with love and compassion toward each other. Compassion, which is heartfelt concern for one another, is a crucial part of the life of a Christian. Its presence reflects a life transformed by God’s love. Humility is probably an umbrella term that includes ideas such as deference, kindness and thinking of others more highly than ourselves. (See Philippians 2.) Verse 9 continues Peter’s thought about how a believer’s life should be different. Now, though, he moves from attitudes to actions, from adjectives to verbs. We are not to respond to evil or insults with more evil and insults. Jesus himself faced mocking and insults before and during his crucifixion, but he did not respond in kind. Rather we are to respond with grace and blessing. Verse 10 begins with a quotation from Psalm 34:12-16, which is believed to have been written when David went through a time of suffering and trials. It supports Peter’s point that there is a right kind of behavior for believers who go through difficult times. In this case, it refers to the way one speaks during suffering. It is not to speak evil or to respond with deceit. Instead, believers are to pursue peace in our relationships with others.
Which route?
He was a new Bible college professor. He knew his teaching skills needed a lot of improvement, and negative student feedback wounded him deeply. In one feedback evaluation, a student said he should find a different line of work. An especially painful incident occurred one day during the college’s chapel service. A student had organized a skit in which the actors mocked a clueless professor who was obviously modeled after this man. After chapel, students watched as he went up to the stage to speak to the student who had instigated the mockery. Smiling, he shook the student’s hand firmly and pulled him into a side-hug. Looking at the student in the eyes, the professor said, “You’re a brilliant actor, Jim. God’s given you a great talent. I’m glad you’re my student.” Jim managed to stammer a “thanks” and went back to moving stage props. Although the skit had been mortifying, the man was confident that he had chosen the route of Jesus — the route of love, compassion and blessing. had you been that professor, would you have done the same?
Confident believers (verses 13-17)
Peter’s rhetorical question here — “Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?” — does not imply that Christians won’t suffer if they focus on doing good. They may. However, commentators point out that our ultimate concern must be to please God, and God looks favorably on lives focused on doing right. Even when such Christians do suffer, however, God will bless them. Peter is not suggesting that we take a kind of masochistic pleasure from such pain. However, those who hear God’s word and obey God’s commands are blessed even in the midst suffering. Therefore, such Christians should not fear those who threaten them. Instead, Christians should replace fear with something positive — reverence for Christ as Lord. We should also be ready to answer why we have hope in Christ. This is not primarily a call to witness to those who are already in Christ but mainly a call to tell those outside the faith about the difference that Christ makes. Our testimony, Peter says, should not be harsh or judgmental of the other person’s perspective. Rather it should be given with kindness and respect. Even if others speak against us for our lives and our testimony, by exercising our faith and speaking with kindness and respect, we can have a clear conscience. The conscience can be skewed and is not always an accurate measure, but if we are properly informed it can be a good guide to proper thought and behavior. When we suffer in such cases, we know that we are suffering for doing good rather than doing evil. This in itself is a powerful witness to those who do not believe.
Faith of the end
According to church history, Polycarp was a disciple of the Apostle John and became a leader in the church in Smyrna. He was put to death at the age of 86 for refusing to pray to the emperor. When given the chance to save his life by recanting his faith, Polycarp said, “Eighty-six years I have served him, and he has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King and my Savior?” Polycarp was burned at the stake in AD 155. Polycarp didn’t do anything to deserve this death. And in facing it, he set apart Christ as his Lord to the very end. He died with a clear conscience.
Conclusion
Few of us will experience the level of suffering endured by the martyrs of Christian history. However, that does not make Peter’s directives any less applicable. Quite the opposite! When faced with suffering, we may search for meaning in that experience. The question asked relentlessly is, “Why?” That question if natural and understandable. But it must also be temporary because ultimately the “Why?” needs to change to “What’s next?” This is a way that our response to suffering can also serve as a way to point people to a life of faith in Jesus. God wants the best for people. When such suffering occurs, believers should remember to be unified in demonstrating trust in God.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank you for being with us in all situations. Help us to be unified with other believers. Show us how we can be attentive to the working of your Spirit. Fill us with peace and humility in all the trials that we might face. We trust that you will work through us to complete your will in the world. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
Questions for discussion
Benediction
This week's benediction is from the New International Version.
Next week's lesson will be on Acts 6:7-15.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWe are a small, rural Presbyterian church in southwestern Pennsylvania. Archives
April 2024
Categories
All
|