Advice for Those Suffering Unjustly In 1 Peter 2:11-3:7, Peter asks Christians to think different.

Today Id like to share an important lesson from 1 Peter 2:11-3:7. I believe this lesson will help all of us to succeed in life. We will first study Peters message to his original audience, then see how it applies to us today. Peter is writing from Rome (1 Peter 5:13) between 60-62 AD, just 30 years after the death of Jesus. Its important to remember that the entire New Testament was written in the same generation as Jesus. Galatians is perhaps the first, written 49-50 AD, and Revelation is the last, written by John some time around 95 AD. The early church had several criteria for a book to be included in the scriptural canon: 1) apostolic authorship, 2) early attestation, and 3) the character of the message. For example, we have the writings of Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna, and Ignatius, bishop of Antioch. Both of them wrote from early in the second century and were disciples of John the Apostle. In their letters, they quote from the letters we have today in the New Testament. This is important to know and remember. Because, as Peter himself wrote, We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. (2 Peter 1:16) Peter is writing to the Christians in eastern provinces of the Roman Empire, located in what is now northern Turkey. He writes, Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To Gods elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia The reason he is writing is to encourage these Christians during a time of persecution. They are facing many difficulties because of their Christian faith. He writes, Do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. Peter uses the word suffer, suffered, or suffers 18 times in this letter. Peter has some specific advice for these believers: Follow the example of Jesus Christ. Peter spent more than three years with Jesus and learned many things during that time, but I believe he learned the most important lesson in the last 24 hours before Jesus crucifixion. Peter saw with his own eyes what Jesus suffered. In 1 Peter 5:1, he describes himself as a witness of Christs suffering. Lets examine the advice that Peter gives to these Christians. 2:11-12 Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

Peter reminds these Christians of their identity. They are citizens of heaven and therefore foreigners in this world. As such, they must live differently from everyone else. They need to be salt and light by the example of their lives. (See Matthew 5:13-16.) Now, Peter is going to tell these Christians exactly how they can live good lives as foreigners in the world. 2:13-17 Submit yourselves for the Lords sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15 For it is Gods will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. 16 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as Gods slaves. 17 Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor. First, Peter tells these believers to submit to every civil authority. As servants of God, these Christians must submit to the authorities that God has instituted. It is Gods will. Submit always, obey when possible, and give proper respect. Only a few years after writing this letter, the Emperor Nero crucified Peter. Peter walked his talk. (See also John 19:11 and Romans 13:1.) 2:18-25 18 Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. 19 For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. 20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth. 23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. Here, Peter does not endorse slavery. Rather, he acknowledges that Christians will face unjust suffering. But, what should they do in response? Peter says they should learn from the example of Jesus who also suffered unjustly. They should entrust themselves to God who cares for them. 3:1-6 Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, 2 when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. 4 Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in Gods sight. 5 For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves. They submitted

themselves to their own husbands, 6 like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her lord. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear. Many women became believers before their husbands. To these women, Peter advised them to trust God and not to fear. They should submit to their husband. By doing so, they will be working together with God to win their husband over. 3:7 Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers. Peter also addresses those husbands who are believers. He reminds them that they are accountable to God for the treatment of their wives. As such, they must give their wives respect and consider their needs and feelings. Application What impresses me about Peters advice is that it is contrary to what we would naturally think. But, thats the point. Lets look back at 1 Peter 2:11-12. In effect, Peter says that Christians need to be like Steve Jobs and Think different.

The mindset Peter describes is humble, but it requires courage and a bold trust in God. Peter tells these Christians that, if they are going to suffer, then they should suffer well. They may not be able to control other people, but they can control their response. In 1 Peter 1:13, he tells them, Therefore, prepare your minds for action: be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. In 1 Peter 4:7, he says, The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. In 1 Peter 5:8, he says, Be self-controlled and alert. How can we apply Peters advice to our own situation? 2:13-17 Here in the United States, we live in a very unique situation. Not many Christians around the worldnot to mention throughout historyhave enjoyed the political and religious freedom that we do today. I think that, because of our unique situation, we can have a hard time understanding the New Testament teaching in regard to Christians societal responsibility. We tend to think that, since our government is of the people, by the people, and for the people, then everything depends on the way that we vote.

I am very thankful for the political and religious freedom that we enjoy in the United States of America. However, we should remember that this political system is a completely foreign concept to the New Testament. Its something that never crossed the minds of New Testament Christians. Representative democracy is wonderful, but we should remember what Winston Churchill said, Many forms of Government have been tried, and will be tried in this world of sin and woe. No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed, it has been said that democracy is the worst form of Government except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time We should not put too much faith in any human system, even if it is better than others. More dangerous, I think, is the idea that we can establish a Christian nation. Jesus had a chance to establish a worldly kingdom and he turned it down. As he told the Roman governor Pilate, My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place. The night before, Jesus told Peter, Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? (See John 18:33-36 and Matthew 26:53.) While fully appreciating the freedoms we enjoy, it would be a good idea for us to learn some things from the early church. Instead of trying to do something that Jesus rejected, we should stick to the game plan laid down in the Bible and do four things: 1. Pray for the President and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:1-2) 2. Be salt and light by the example of our lives (Matthew 5:13-16) 3. Speak up on behalf of the oppressed and voiceless (Isaiah 1:17, 10:1-2; Ezekiel 22:25-31) 4. Make disciples (Matthew 28:18-19) This is the game plan that the early church followed with great successeven in the face of severe persecution. Tertullian, 197 A.D., wrote a defense of Christians addressed to the Roman leaders: Without ceasing, for all our emperors we offer prayer. We pray for life prolonged; for security to the empire; for protection to the imperial house; for brave armies, a faithful senate, a virtuous people, the world at rest, whatever, as man or Caesar, an emperor would wish. When the early church stuck to the original game plan laid out in the New Testament, nothing could stop them. Weve seen similarly miraculous results in China over the last 50 years. As Tertullian wrote, The oftener we are mown down by you, the more in number we grow; the blood of Christians is seed. 2:18-23 We can learn from Peter to think different in the workplace and at school. We must remember that we reap what we sow. If we disrespect or speak badly about our boss, thats going to come back to us in one way or another. Even if you have a bad boss that you dont like and think is incompetentdont backstab them, even if they wont know. Instead, always support your boss. If they are smart, theyll realize that you are on their team and theyll treat you accordingly. When you leave that job, show them respect. For students, this applies to your teachers. Respect their authority. They may or may not appreciate it, but God will reward you.

We reap what we sow. We should learn from the example of King David. Before he was king, he was an adjunct of King Saul. King Saul became intensely jealous of David and spent years trying to kill him, but David never retaliated. David was loyal to his leaders. Even when David had to seek refuge with the Philistines, the king of the Philistines completely trusted David. David knew how to be loyal. In return, David commanded uncommon loyalty from his warriors. 1 Chronicles 12:16-18 16 Other Benjamites and some men from Judah also came to David in his stronghold. 17 David went out to meet them and said to them, If you have come to me in peace to help me, I am ready for you to join me. But if you have come to betray me to my enemies when my hands are free from violence, may the God of our ancestors see it and judge you. 18 Then the Spirit came on Amasai, chief of the Thirty, and he said: We are yours, David! We are with you, son of Jesse! Success, success to you, and success to those who help you, for your God will help you. So David received them and made them leaders of his raiding bands. The lesson here is that we should always give respect to those who are in positions of authority. As Peter says later in 1 Peter 5:5-6, Young men, in the same way, be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because: God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under Gods mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 3:1-6 Wives, I can only tell you that this advice works. I know when my wife is deliberately choosing to go along with me, and I appreciate it. Even if your husband doesnt appreciate it yet, trust God. And, dont give in to fear that you will lose out. Keep praying. However, I want to also add that you should not allow your husband to abuse you or your children. In this case, unless he repents, you will need to separate from him. For you young unmarried ladies, the part about a gentle and quiet spirit being beautiful is true! 3:7 Husbands, we need to think of our wives more. Dont take them for granted. Their feelings are the important thing. Many times we focus on just the physical needs. God is watching over us, holding us to what we promised. Conclusion Brothers and sisters, you are Gods chosen people in this world. Therefore, I urge you to live differently from everyone else. We cannot control other people and as a result, we will suffer unjustly from time to time. When we do, lets follow the example of Jesus and suffer well. A candle shines brightest at nightour lives should shine brightest when we go through dark times.