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. ~ 1 Peter 3:13-14
Today, we return to our study of 1 Peter 3 where the Apostle Peter is sharing with us those most important principles regarding suffering that he had learned through his walk with the Lord for some sixty years. Suffering is easier to endure when we know that there is a purpose to it. This is the theme for today's text.
In v.13 of today's passage we read, "Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?"
Here, the Apostle addresses those who live consistent with God's definitions of things. No, they are not going to be perfect but they are those who are pursuing God and His definitions. This question is written in such a way that normally we would never expect to suffer if we are operating in this life as a people who do good to other people. This is increasingly not the case in our world today because many have so rejected God's definitions of things or the truth that they are threatened by the truth.
Many today ignore the fact that the history of Christianity has, for the most part, benefited societies. The concept of human rights is a biblical concept. These values have long been given to us by the God of the Bible through His word. For example, women's rights came from the Bible. When the Lord Jesus spoke 2,000 years ago, the culture around Him did not respect women at all. And, even though in early America the same was true here, eventually the rights of women were granted because God is for the rights of women. He is the One from whom we got the idea. There has always been those who called themselves Christians but they did not live consistent with God's definitions. Their inconsistency does not negate the consistency of God's word. This is why we must be defined by God.
I find it quite instructive here that Peter begins today's passage with a question. Questions are often the product of our doubt. Most think of doubt as something which is bad but often it is necessary for the growth of our faith. There will always be an element of uncertainty when we live by faith. It is the uncertainties that make us worry and to get anxious. This is why God is constantly calling us to trust Him and to be subsequently defined by Him. This is the answer to all of life here on earth.
In addition, it is only those who enjoy the adventure that questions take us on who really live life. Only those who pursue God really live. In this pursuit there will be times that we will think we will not survive, times we may regret that we ever embarked on this journey, times we wish the idea had never come up. But if we step out and risk and go, when the journey is complete, we will have a wealth that is desired by all of those who have know all the treasures this world. We will have a grand story with God. We will have much to tell, and, as a result of this grand pursuit, we will not be the same. And it will all be more than worth it.
In v.14 of today's passage we read, "But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened."
In this verse Peter quotes a portion from Isaiah 8:12-13. This quotation is quite significant because Ahaz, king of Judah, faced the impending invasion of the Assyrian army. The kings of Israel and Syria wanted Ahaz to join them in an alliance against the Assyrians, but Ahaz refused. As a result, Israel and Syria threatened to invade Judah.
Behind the scenes, Ahaz subsequently made an alliance with Assyria. And the prophet Isaiah warned Ahaz against ungodly alliances, and urged him to trust God alone for deliverance. That was the background of the passage Peter quotes here. In other words, this is not a new problem. Essentially, Peter with Isaiah, was saying, "Do not fear the intimidation of man." You see, as Peter goes on to say, "we are blessed" when we suffer for doing the right thing because we have been convinced by the truth Himself to go the way of the truth. The Lord Jesus Christ is the truth, and, when we are being defined by the truth, we will have a greater depth to our daily walk with Him. This will be so because the truth makes us who are being defined by it the most secure people in the world.
In the Bible, there are two types of fear: the fear of man and the fear of God. In order to accomplish our ultimate calling, we must be ardent on the idea that God defines us. Being defined by God begins with the development of a reverential fear of Him. This is a fear that hones our view of Him as a good God who has our best interest at heart. Fear must be our servant, not we it, because fear always looks to corrode our confidence in God’s goodness.
"Fear not" is the most repeated command in the Bible, one for every day. In fact, the gospels list some 125 Christ-issued imperatives for us to not fear. But, there is a fear, according to our text, which plays a role in the ultimate purpose of our suffering. Fear itself is not a sin. But it can lead to sin. It reminds us that we are mere humans. It drives us to our knees before the One who reminds us that in our weakness He is strong. It drives us to depend upon Him, and, there is no better place for you and me to be.
