Suffering For Doing Good

Popular author and speaker Steve Brown is known for reminding us that Christians suffer the same tragedies and afflictions as non-Christians–so that the world may see the difference. That’s a great statement, isn’t it? Wish I’d said it!

The Apostle Peter would agree with that statement, too. As we continue our verse-by-verse studies in 1 Peter, we focus today on 1 Peter 3:13-14 & 1 Peter 3:17, a passage that teaches how Christians are to behave when (not if) they suffer.

The reality of persecution and suffering does not sit well with many who peddle the so-called “health, wealth & prosperity gospel.” They would have us focus on material blessings God gives to those who “have faith” (and give their money, too).

And other preachers and teachers choose to avoid passages on suffering altogether. They seem to think it is an unpopular concept, so why address it? Perhaps these folks are more interested in building a crowd than building a church–there is a difference! God wants His church to know that suffering in this fallen world is not unusual, but may be expected.

The New Testament teaches that Christians will experience trials of suffering and persecution. Jesus, for example, says to His followers in John 15:19: “If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world…the world hates you.”

He doesn’t mean that all unbelievers are always against Christians at all times. But he does mean that when you follow Christ, you are swimming against the tide. You are living as “counter-culture” Christians. You are living among a people who are highly resistant to the gospel. So expect some suffering and persecution–and Peter agrees as we have seen previously (1 Peter 1:6, 1 Peter 2:19-21).

Let’s take a look now at our verses for today. While our passage comprises 1 Peter 3:13-17, we’ll focus primarily upon the first two verses (13-14) and the last verse (17):

¹³ And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? 
¹⁴ But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” 
¹⁵ But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; 
¹⁶ having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. 
¹⁷ For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? (verse 13)

Here’s a paraphrase of verse 13: “In general, you will avoid trouble if you do the right thing.” Generally speaking, if you do good and stay out of trouble, then you won’t get into any more trouble.”

There’s kind of a “sandwiching” here in this passage.  Verse 13 is the top of the sandwich and verse 17 is the bottom.  Verse 17 parallels verse 13. See how it is similar:

For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. (verse 17)

Here’s the point: you can suffer for doing good or you can suffer for doing evil. And note that it is often the will of God that we do, in fact, suffer for doing good. See that phrase in the middle of verse 17? This one: “For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good…” Again, sometimes it is God’s will that we suffer for doing good.

But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” (verse 14)

So Peter reminds Christians who do, in fact, end up suffering for righteousness’ sake–suffering persecution simply for being a Christian–Peter says, “If that does happen to you, you are blessed.”

This statement recalls the teaching Peter had heard from Jesus in Christ’s Sermon on the Mount:

11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.
12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:11-12)

Some of you may suffer this week for righteousness’ sake. It could be a suffering similar to Christians in the New Testament age, or, depending on your cultural context, a different kind of suffering.

For most of us living in the developed west, suffering generally takes different forms. You may, for example be refused a position or opportunity because of your Christian commitments. You may be thought of as an extremist, or labeled as intolerant. You may be considered narrow-minded for your spiritual views. Others may shun you because they feel uncomfortable when you speak of your relationship with Christ or your church.

Of course the kind of persecution Peter’s readers were facing in his day was far greater. In just a few short years after Peter wrote this letter, many Christians living in the Roman Empire would undergo severe persecution, many killed with the sword, simply because they professed faith in Christ and refused to declare that the Roman Caesar was Lord.

That’s why Peter says in the second part of verse 14: “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.”  That’s a quote from the Prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 8:12-14) where Isaiah is saying, “Don’t fear others, fear God.”

In essence, Peter is saying, “When your life’s on the line for your faith in Christ, don’t be afraid.  Better to fear God than to fear others.”  And while few of us, if any, will face that kind of persecution this week (where our life is at stake), there are other ways we may fear others.

You may fear others when you speak of your faith in Christ.

You may fear to take a stand for your Christian principles at work. 

You may fear the consequences of your classmates or co-workers, when you talk with them about spiritual things.

You may fear people thinking that you are odd or strange because you’re a Christian. 

Yet, Peter says in verse 14, “Do not be afraid of their threats, no be troubled.”

Then Peter gets really practical by telling Christians how they can keep from becoming fearful in times of suffering and persecution. He says in the very next verse, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts.” (verse 15)

The text literally reads, “But sanctify Christ as Lord.”  Or, as one translation renders it, “In your hearts, set apart Christ as Lord.” (NIV)

Make a firm decision to set apart Christ as Lord in your heart. That’s the second action in this passage–and we’ll talk about exactly what that means next time.

For now, remember that suffering for good carries God’s blessing. He smiles upon us when we stand in the midst of suffering and persecution, blessing us with a loving resolve that is strengthened by His abiding presence and power.

And, there will be some folks watching you closely as you suffer for good. They will note the loving way you stand for Christ without returning evil for evil. They will see that there is something different about you that intrigues them and causes them to think more deeply about the claims of Christ. And that’s a good thing!

“…that the world may see the difference.”