Our Defense • 1 Peter 3:13-22
By Arthur Story
This week’s text, 1 Peter 3:13-22, reveals three opportunities in suffering that Christians can use to share Christ with others. Before we cover these opportunities, we need to address the reason for suffering. In verse 17, Peter points out an important truth about suffering. We need to live in such a way that we are suffering because of the good we do. If we suffer because we are doing evil things, like committing crimes, then our suffering is just. Instead, our lives should be examples of righteous living so that if we suffer it is because of the world’s opposition to our righteous living.
The first opportunity in suffering we can use to share Christ is our being ready. In verses 13-17, followers of Christ are instructed to be ready for two situations. First, we are told to be ready for suffering. As Jesus’ treatment during His life reveals, even one who does right continually will face suffering (John 15:25). Why? Because the people of this world hate the light (John 3:19). They don’t want their evil deeds exposed. Christians shouldn’t be surprised when the world hates us and persecutes us. Jesus told us to expect this treatment (John 15:18-27).
Second, Christians should be ready to offer a defense of our hope to anyone. Our text points out that when it comes to sharing truth from Scripture, it should be done with gentleness and reverence (verse16, CSB). This means we share the Gospel kindly and respectfully. The Gospel shouldn’t be shared in arrogance or used as a club to beat people into believing. When it comes to sharing Scripture, I have a simple rule I’ve lived by for 30 years: “If I share truth from Scripture and it offends you, then you needed to be offended. If I share truth from Scripture with you in an offensive manner, then I need to apologize and make it right.” The Gospel will often initially offend the one it’s convicting, but we shouldn’t be offensive in our tone, body language, attitude, etc.
The second opportunity in suffering we can use to share Christ is our assurance. As followers of Christ we should live our lives with a calm assurance of the certainty of the future. In 1 Peter 3:18-20, we see two models of this type of living. Our primary model for our daily living is always Jesus. He lived a perfect life and yet he endured unbelievable persecution, betrayal, abuse, suffering, and death. In every situation in life, Jesus pressed forward toward the cross with a quiet assurance. No amount of suffering or persecution could sway Jesus from His commitment to the Father’s plan.
In verse 20 of our text, we see another model of assured living in Noah. Noah built an ark because God told Noah His plan (Genesis 6). Noah was likely persecuted and ridiculed during the time he was building the ark. Why did Noah keep going even in difficult times? Because of God’s revelation of His plan. Noah knew what God told him was coming. Likewise, we can face suffering with positivity because God has revealed His plan and the future. Even when our suffering appears endless or severe, we remain positive because we understand that in due time God will bring eternal restoration.
The third opportunity in suffering we can use to share Christ is showing others our faith (verses 21-22). Noah and his family weren’t saved by the flood. They were saved by their faith in God that led them to get into the ark, which would save them from the judgment of the flood. Similarly, water baptism doesn’t save us. Our faith in Christ saves us and our new conscience leads us to obedience. A number of years ago, my father-in-law came to me to talk about baptism. He had been a Christian for decades but had never been baptized due to a fear of water (pools, lakes, ocean, etc.). He understood baptism and wasn’t concerned about his salvation, but he was concerned about his obedience. As a result of his conscience convicting him, a short time later I baptized him in a small baptismal ceremony.
When we come to faith in Christ, we receive the indwelling of the Spirit. The Spirit helps us understand and apply Scripture. As we grow and mature in our faith, our behavior changes. Evil habits are replaced with righteous habits. As a result, our lives look different. These types of differences don’t go unnoticed by those we know and will often result in new opportunities to tell others about Jesus.
As you read, study, and discuss in a small group the contents of 1 Peter 3:13-22, pray for God to reveal areas for prayer, opportunities for witnessing, and points of assurance.
Story is a member of First Ridgeland Church, Ridgeland.
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