Writings

Saturday, 23 November 2019

…having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. 1 Peter 3:16

In the previous verse, Peter admonished his audience to “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.” He now expands upon that with the words, “having a good conscience.”

The word translated as “conscience” is seen thirty times. Peter has used it once in verse 2:19. He uses it here now, and he will use it just one more time in verse 3:21.

The use of it now is because having a good conscience is an absolute necessity when giving a defense for one’s faith. It would be logically inconsistent for a person to give a defense for the gospel message while living hypocritically. It is certain that all, including the most saintly people we know, harbor dark thoughts and – at times – conduct themselves in a manner others might find inappropriate. However, the goal and aim of all apologists is to live in the same right manner which is in accord with the gospel they proclaim and defend. Thus, they will have a good conscience.

Peter then explains the particular reason for this necessity beginning with, “that when they defame you as evildoers.” Here, Peter assumes that such will be the case. There is no “if” in his thought. People who proclaim the gospel, and those who defend that same glorious message, will be defamed as evildoers.

And time has borne this out. Throughout history, those who defend the gospel have been accused of evil doing. This has even been (and continues to be) the case by those who are supposedly Christian. During the Reformation, those who defended the truth of Scripture were persecuted and even martyred for their stand. And the main foe for them was the Roman Catholic Church. The dark dealings of that devilish den continues to this day, and their accusations against true Christians are brought up from time to time – calling them the evildoers!

However, by maintaining a good conscience, Peter says that “those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.” The word Peter uses, and which is translated as “revile,” is found only here and in Luke 6:28. It signifies “to intimidate by using threats and false accusations ‘tailor-made’ to the situation, i.e. under-handed tactics ‘customized’ to smear someone’s reputation” (HELPS Word Studies).

When such reviling occurs, and without any true basis for it, they will eventually be ashamed of what they have done. This can go one of two ways. They could be ashamed of their own conduct, repent of it, and accept the truth of the gospel defense. This would obviously be the minority. Most people who revile the truth of the gospel will revile its defenders as well. Even after a sound defense, they will simply double down on their hatred of the truth.

The second way they will be ashamed is at the judgment.  The word translated as “they shall be ashamed” is found thirteen times. Once it is used by Luke, twice by Peter, and ten times by Paul. Paul, citing Isaiah 28:6, says that those who put their trust in the Lord will not be ashamed. Peter used that same verse in 1 Peter 2:6. It is the sure hope of a future approval from the Lord. Likewise, those who reject the Lord and His gospel have the surety of shame coming their way. The very people that they accuse of evildoing will stand approved, and they will stand condemned.

Life application: Peter’s words of this verse may be as hard for a faithful Christian to fulfill as any verse in the Bible. The vast majority of times, those who defame us won’t care diddly and will go on persecuting. However, the faithful testimony of Christian witnesses under persecution is a strong sermon to those who see it. Many people throughout the ages have seen the faithfulness of those being persecuted, and have repented of their accusations, coming to Christ in humility and remorse.

To remind yourself of the call to which we have been called, do a general image search on “Christian persecution.” Or, you can visit the Voice of the Martyrs website. There you will see the truth of Islamic, communist, and even socially liberal people as they mistreat Christians because of their faith. The tide is turning to this type of treatment even in America. When it comes, be set in your mind to have a good conscience towards those who defame you for Christ’s sake.

Lord, we sure don’t look with joy at the prospect of reviling, torture, or death for Your sake. We can certainly admit this freely. But Lord, should this day come for us, please give us the courage and soundness of mind to respond in a manner worthy of the most honorable title of Christian. To Your glory, may this be the result of our testimony and witness. Amen.

Friday, 22 November 2019

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; 1 Peter 3:15

In 1 Peter 2:8, Peter cited Isaiah 8:14. He now returns to Isaiah 8 to quote it again. This time, it is Isaiah 8:13 –

“The Lord of hosts, Him you shall hallow;
Let Him be your fear,
And let Him be your dread.”

Peter, referring to that verse in Isaiah, says, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts.” There is a difference between source texts here. Some say, “But in your hearts sanctify the Christ as Lord.” One can debate which text is better, but it is of note that if this is the true rendering, Peter is equating Christ Jesus as Yehovah Sabaoth, or “the Lord of hosts.”

Despite the disparity, the idea is that we are to sanctify the Lord God (or the Christ) in our hearts. The phrasing used here is unique in the New Testament. Charles Ellicott says it means “to recognise, in word and deed, His full holiness, and therefore to treat Him with due awe.” Such recognition is to be “in your hearts.” In other words, it is to always be in our thoughts, and we are to reason out the glory of God and consider it in all we say and do.

In that state, we will be mentally prepared to then follow through with his next exhortation, which is that we are to “always be ready to give a defense.” The Greek word is apologia, an apology. However, it does not mean to apologize, as in “I’m sorry.” Rather, it signifies a defense, or a reasoned argument, concerning the evidences for our faith in Christ.

In an ancient court, the term meant a legal defense. This is what Peter is now stating we are to do. We are to be ready to make a case, as if a defender of the faith, “to everyone who asks you a reason.”

In other words, there should never be a time when the believer in Christ is not prepared to answer. Whether he is asked by a small child or by the President of the United States. In sanctifying the Lord in our hearts, we will always have Him in mind, and we will be able to readily explain the substance of our faith. This is because they will want to know the “reason for the hope that is in you.”

What is constantly on the mind is what will show forth in the person. When one is sanctifying the Lord in his heart, he will exude thoughts of the Lord in his daily walk. People will see something different about him and want to know what the reason for his remarkable character is. This is the intent of always contemplating what the Lord has done, and the glory of Him who has done it.

The hope in the believer is to radiate out of him in order to then continue to sanctify the Lord in an external manner. From there, the questions will be asked, and at that time the prepared answer of defense is to be provided. But Peter says it is to be so “with meekness and fear.”

Again, there is a slight difference in texts here, some of which include the word translated as “but” – “but with meekness and fear.” This is certainly to be implied, even if not explicitly stated. We are to defend our faith, we are to do so when asked about it, but we are to do it with a sense of glorifying the Lord, not ourselves, in the process.

To be meek is to show humility. There is to be a reverent fear of the Lord in the process, understanding that it is He who saves, but He uses human instruments to convey the message of His salvation. Thus, our fear is to be of God – a fear that we might fail to properly convey the message – and it is to be in fear for the poor soul who will never be saved if our defense is inappropriately conveyed. The high responsibility of conveying the gospel, and in defending it when asked to do so, has been levied upon each believer. How terrible it is to consider that we should fail to properly convey this eternity-changing message.

Life application: There are several verses which are truly imperative to know and remember in Scripture. This is one of them. Take time to go back up, read it, and reflect on it.

Sanctifying the Lord God in one’s heart is an active thing; something we should be doing constantly. If you see a beautiful bird flying in the sky, tell the Lord, “Thank You for allowing me to see this.” If you taste something wonderful, “Thank You Lord! It’s delicious.” If you get thwacked on the head by a rock kicked up by your lawnmower… “Thank You Lord, … that could have been worse.” In all you do, give thanks and praise to the Lord.

Always being ready to give a defense means always. Be ready!

May the Lord, the Lord Jesus be with You as you prepare yourself for stepping out into the great spiritual battlefield which fights against the gospel of salvation.

Heavenly Father, You who gave us Your word to instruct us, we have often not been properly prepared to defend the hope we have within us. Today we ask that You fill us with the hunger and great desire to be ready, at a moment’s notice, to provide the answers necessary for the questions we receive. We ask so that You will be glorified through our faithful answers. Amen.

Thursday, 21 November 2019

But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” 1 Peter 3:14

The words of this verse provide clarity to what was said in the previous verse. There, Peter asked, “And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good?” He was not stating that harm would not come, but his question was making a comparison between the one who is causing the harm and the Lord. The one who is causing the harm can only do so in a temporary, limited way. But the Lord’s blessing far exceeds such temporary trials. This is now seen in the words, “But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake.”

The comparison is clearly set forth. Someone is suffering despite his right conduct as outlined in the previous verses. Therefore, the suffering is not deserved, and the one who is persecuting him is in the wrong. The Bible is filled with examples of this. How one responds to it is what is now being presented. Even if one conducts himself righteously and yet suffers, he is to continue to conduct himself in a manner worthy of the title he bears – meaning that of being a Christian.

Peter says that in such conduct, “you are blessed.” Peter is thinking back to the words of Jesus in Matthew 5 –

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:10

He had sat and listened to the words of Jesus, and he had considered them in light of all that is recorded in Scripture. The psalms are replete with such an idea, and those psalms anticipated what would occur with Christ Jesus not too long after He had spoken out the Sermon on the Mount. What was anticipated, was fulfilled in Him. And in Him, then, is the example for His followers to emulate. And in that emulation, there is a blessed state which exists.

Peter then says, “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” Here, Peter quotes a portion of Isaiah 8:12 –

“Do not say, ‘A conspiracy,’
Concerning all that this people call a conspiracy,
Nor be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.”

Peter cites Isaiah, but he leaves off the next words given by Isaiah which fill in what Peter only implies –

“The Lord of hosts, Him you shall hallow;
Let Him be your fear,
And let Him be your dread.” Isaiah 8:13

This is the comparison which is intended by Peter. There may be threats from persecutors, but those threats can only go so far. In the end, it is the Lord who has control over all things, and it is the Lord who is to be feared. Again, the idea is that living righteously has its own reward, even if it also carries earthly torments. The two cannot be compared, and so it is always right and proper to act in a righteous manner.

Life application: We can generally expect good results from proper behavior, but this isn’t always the case.

Isaiah was told to prophesy to the people about their unrighteousness and incorrect thinking. Not everything then was directed by a conspiracy, nor is everything today directed by a conspiracy. The problem with this type of thinking is that eventually everyone is a foe and there is a spy under every bed. Too many people in the church have failed to understand this, and to them the government is an enemy, the phone company is an enemy, and even others in the church are enemies.

Threats and hatred become the standard, even to faithful believers who haven’t crossed every “t” or dotted every “i.” This type of behavior leads to a bad name for Christians in general, and eventually to a complete breakdown in fellowship. Peter tells us, as Isaiah did, that we are to remain faithfully righteous and not be afraid of those Peter speaks of. Read your Bible, love your Lord, and keep right fellowship with your fellow Christians to the greatest degree possible.

Lord, because You are our Lord, we shall not fear, nor shall our hearts be troubled. What can man do to us? You have our eternal souls safely in Your hands. Everything else is just temporary and fading away. Help us to keep this attitude always – even when troubles surround us. Thank You, Lord Jesus. Amen.

Wednesday, 20 November 2019

And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? 1 Peter 3:13

This verse now follows after the citation of Psalm 34. The psalm was given to support Peter’s words concerning right conduct and that which will bring about a blessing. Now, he asks, “And who is he who will harm you.” The question must be asked in an elevated sense to understand his meaning, “And just who is he who will harm you?” Or, “And who, I ask, is he who will harm you?” The reason this must be the case is because the words of the very next verse to come – “But even if you should suffer.”

The question by Peter here, then, does not imply that those who do right will not suffer. In fact, Christ – who did no wrong ever – suffered greatly. And further, He told his followers that they should expect the same. What Peter is saying is that those who can bring harm have no true authority over those who “become followers of what is good.”

If one follows in Christ’s steps, he very well may suffer harm, but it is only a temporary, earthly harm. It cannot separate him from Christ, and it will not diminish the glory which lies ahead as promised by Christ. The idea is reflective of what the author to Hebrews says, and which is cited from both Psalm 56:11 and Psalm 118:6 –

“So we may boldly say:
‘The Lord is my helper;
I will not fear.
What can man do to me?’” Hebrews 13:6

Peter’s words here signify that we are to trust Christ, emulate Him, and not worry about the consequences in this world as we go forth in righteousness. As noted, this will be more fully seen in the coming verse.

Life application: The very next psalm in the Bible, after the one Peter just quoted, says –

“Fierce witnesses rise up;
They ask me things that I do not know.
¹² They reward me evil for good,
To the sorrow of my soul.” Psalm 35:11, 12

King David wrote both psalms, and yet there is no contradiction when it is understood that we don’t always receive the same treatment we hand out. It should be expected that trials and troubles will come, even when we act exactly as the Lord would have us act. In fact, in some contexts, the more we act like Christ the more persecution we can expect.

Despite this, it behooves us to act properly, regardless of how others eventually treat us. Generally, this will lead to peace and contentment with those around us. One thing is certain, if we are belligerent and unruly, we can only expect strife and conflict. Following the general guidelines Peter has laid down will normally result in a happier time.

Lord, how much better is life when things go smoothly. But should we be persecuted or treated unfairly for our faith, give us the courage to look beyond the moment and to the great reward You have in store for us. May our lives be as lights and as examples to those around us, even those who are at enmity with You. Amen.

Tuesday, 19 November 2019

For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
And His ears are open to their prayers;
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. 1 Peter 3:12

Peter now completes his quote from Psalm 34. The words here come from a portion of verses 15 & 16 –

“The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
And His ears are open to their cry.
¹⁶ The face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

Remembering the context of Peter’s words which brought about his citing of the psalm, will help clarify why he is saying this. He had said that believers were called to do what is right, and that in doing so one may inherit a blessing. This is confirmed by the words of the psalmist now. The blessing is that “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous.”

The meaning here is that the Lord is watching over them. He is the One who protects them and favors them because of their conduct. To have the eyes of the Lord upon you is to receive His favor. This is reflective of what it says in the high priestly blessing from Numbers 6 –

“The Lord bless you and keep you;
²⁵ The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
²⁶ The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26

If the Lord’s face shines upon a person, and if the Lord’s countenance is upon him, it is because His eyes are directed toward him. There is favor, grace, and peace to be expected from this most favorable state.

Peter next says, “And His ears are open to their prayers.” Again, it is a note of divine blessing. When one prays, it is in anticipation of having his prayers heard and responded to. The ears of the Lord hear, and in hearing, He returns with his blessing upon the one who has conducted his affairs as prescribed by the word He has already sent forth for instruction.

Now, to contrast that favorable state, Peter finishes his quote with, “But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” Here, the same preposition is used that was used in the first clause. There, it said the eyes of the Lord are epi, on, the righteous. Here it says the face of the Lord is epi, against, those who do evil. This follows the Greek translation which Peter is citing. The Hebrew uses two different words.

The intent is that the Lord’s face being epi, or “upon,” those who do evil signifies in a negative way. In other words, there is no change in the Lord, but there is a change in the source of what the Lord sees, meaning man. It is the difference between the two that brings about either favor or disfavor. There is perfect righteousness in the Lord, and His countenance will reveal the true state of the person – whether he does that which is right or that which is evil. The resulting judgment, for good or bad, is perfect because it is the Lord who judges the conduct.

Taking the entire thought now, and looking at what Peter said in verses 8 & 9, and then comparing it to what the psalmist said (and which Peter uses to confirm his words), we see how the conduct Peter admonishes in us, and the resulting blessing for being obedient, is a set standard of the Lord which transcends dispensations. It is how the Lord works at all times as His eyes winnow out the evil from the good –

“Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; ⁹ not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. ¹⁰ For

‘He who would love life
And see good days,
Let him refrain his tongue from evil,
And his lips from speaking deceit.
¹¹ Let him turn away from evil and do good;
Let him seek peace and pursue it.
¹² For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
And His ears are open to their prayers;
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.’” 1 Peter 3:8-12

Life application: Unfortunately for humanity, the Bible says, “There is no one righteous, not even one;…” Understanding where righteousness comes from is then a really important matter.

All people are born into the stream of humanity from one common ancestor, Adam. We have all, therefore, inherited his fallen state and lack any righteousness of our own. Therefore, any righteousness in a person is an imputed righteousness – something credited by God. Under what circumstances is a person credited with righteousness then?

The answer, throughout the Bible, is that righteousness is credited because of properly placed faith. It is faith in God’s sovereign workings in humanity by which we are credited with His righteousness. Slowly, throughout history, God worked toward the coming Messiah. And at just the right time, Jesus came. It is by faith in Him and what He has done for us that we are imputed righteousness.

Once this is secured, the Lord is attentive to our prayers. When we call out to God in the name of Jesus, we satisfy the requirement God has chosen for restoration. Unfortunately for humanity, this leaves all people who fail to call on Jesus without a Mediator. In this case, the face of the Lord is against them. Here it says, “…those who do evil.” By default, all people outside of Jesus are in this category. There can be no restoration until the sin problem is dealt with first.

If you would love life and see good days, then get right with Jesus! All else will be in its proper place once this is accomplished.

Lord, You haven’t made it hard for us to be reconciled to You. However, You have made it a narrow path and a limited choice. Thank You that there is the choice though. By faith in Christ Jesus, we are again restored to a right relationship with you. Now, O Lord, hear our prayers and respond to them according to Your great wisdom. This we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.