An Unusual Approach to God's Blessings
1 Peter 3:13-17 ESV
13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil.
It's easy to forget the environment that surrounded the early church. These pioneer believers were often the target of extreme prejudice and persecution. Because they abandoned the gods of the culture they were a part of, when things went wrong, it was often the Christians who were blamed. So how do you reach people in a hostile environment? Peter continues to talk about suffering for doing the right thing and allowing character and conduct to speak louder than the opposition.
Early church believers were encouraged to be zealous for doing good. Do-gooders started a long time ago. And here is where the blessings of God come into play. If a believer was to suffer for living for God, for righteousness' sake, there was a promise of blessings. To the point where Peter encouraged the believers to not have any fear or be intimidated by the people persecuting them. And don't even be troubled. That is exhibiting great calm in the face of threats and persecution. But if you believe God's blessings are on you, then staying unintimidated becomes far more doable.
Peter told them to keep their relationship with the Lord set apart and special, and always be ready to give a reason for the hope that is in them. There must be something different about someone who is calm in the face of persecution, such that other people are asking for the reason they have hope. Hope is the expectation of good. These early believers were to be focused on a life that honored the Lord, knowing the Lord had their back. So even when explaining the hope they had, they were to be gentle and respectful. I think we in the American evangelical church could use a big dose of gentle and respectful, although those qualities don't tend to sell well in the internet landscape.
But instead of yelling their beliefs, the early church was tasked with living in such a way that their good conduct and different way of living, even in the face of prejudice and persecution, would shame their opposition. That's evangelism from a different perspective. People willing to stay positive and hopeful in the middle of a dark, fear-filled, loud world.
Application
We don't live in a harsh environment today in comparison with early church believers. We are not living in fear of being imprisoned, as are some of our family in the Body of Christ in other nations. And even though the church seems to thrive in harsh environments, I am not praying for that. But the principles of living a life that testifies of the Lord are still in play. And there are still levels of prejudice and persecution that come our way today, even in America. But the testimony of a life well lived is still a message that speaks to others. And it's a life that receives blessings from the Lord. Calmness in the face of rejection and scorn is still an unusual route to God's blessings today.
Prayer
Lord, You suffered for me, so the best I can do is to live for You. Thank You for the hope I have in You that carries me through the negatives of this life.