July 23 2023

Frankie

Christian life / Faith / 1 Peter 3:13–22

1 Peter 3:13-22

1. People often seek to define their identity through external achievements and experiences, such as participating in significant events, attending prestigious universities, or working for well-known companies. Throughout our lives, we cannot escape the need to do certain things to sustain ourselves, like eating for nourishment and reading to acquire knowledge. However, these actions alone do not determine our true identity; rather, it originates from within. Similarly, changing our circumstances or situations cannot fully establish our genuine identity. Even living in luxury, such as a high-end hotel or a billion-dollar house, does not guarantee fulfillment in life. True identity and contentment come from a deeper place within ourselves, beyond material possessions or external accomplishments. Let's ponder the true essence of attending a church. When we visit a church, our main objective is to engage in worship and honor the Lord, typically on a weekly basis. During this worship, we express our devotion through singing songs, reading passages from the Bible, and listening to the pastor's message. Additionally, we communicate with God through prayer, following a structured practice known as "liturgy." However, if coming to church merely becomes another item on our checklist of things to do in life, it loses its deeper significance. Worship should not be reduced to a mere event where we engage in activities; rather, its purpose lies in something far more profound. The true aim of worship is to lead us to introspect and examine our identity in relation to Jesus.

In other words, the primary goal of worship is not just to keep us occupied with tasks, but to help us understand and reinforce our connection with Jesus, our true identity in Him. It goes beyond the physical actions and rituals to the spiritual aspect of finding ourselves in Him. Through worship, we have the opportunity to make a powerful declaration of our identity as God's chosen people and royal priests in this world. We can use this platform to spread awareness about who Jesus is and the profound impact He has had on our lives. Despite being unable to alter the circumstances we find ourselves in, we can still articulate the reasons for our unwavering devotion to the Lord. We do so because He is not only our Lord but also our Savior. Through His sacrificial act of shedding His blood and rising from the dead, He cleansed us of our sins.

2. During the summer break, people often find themselves busy with various activities and plans, including vacations. Churches are no exception to this trend. Despite the limited two-month timeframe, many churches aspire to engage in mission work, outreach initiatives, and organizing Vacation Bible School (VBS) programs for children. In line with these endeavors, our church has been actively preparing for VBS and a summer outreach program for the First Nations. Given this context, I started pondering the reasons behind our desire to invest our time and financial resources in these endeavors. Considering that VBS alone requires a minimum budget of $500, and our planned outreach to the First Nations community involves a budget of $1,000 or more, it becomes pertinent to explore our motivations that drove us to undertake these tasks when we initially began the planning process.

Throughout our exploration of 1 Peter, particularly Chapter 2, the theme of motivation in the Christian life has been at the forefront of our discussions. We have delved into the significance of living a morally upright existence, and the driving force behind this is none other than our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. By acknowledging Jesus as our Savior, we are empowered to exemplify His love through our own lives. Moreover, through our newfound identity in Him, as citizens of His kingdom, we are compelled to embrace a life characterized by moral goodness. Our motivation does not stem from personal gain or self-preservation, nor does it seek to elevate our own reputation. We witnessed this foundational concept in Chapter 3. Now, as we approach the conclusion of Peter's letter, let us turn our attention to Chapter 3:13-22 and delve further into its message.

1 Peter 3:13–17 NKJV

And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” 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; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

1 Peter 3:18–22 NKJV

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.

3. The significance of the 16th-century Reformations cannot be overstated, as it marked the inception of Protestant Christianity on a global scale. Prior to 1517, there were no Protestant churches in existence. However, everything changed when Martin Luther ignited the Reformation in Germany with his powerful concept of Justification by Faith in Jesus. Simultaneously, in Switzerland, Zwingli began preaching independent of the hierarchical structures dictated by the Catholic Church. Additionally, the Anabaptists played a crucial role by redefining the significance of Baptism and emphasizing the importance of church as believers’ community. With these pivotal events unfolding, the Reformations truly took off and set the stage for the evolution of Protestant Christianity. Vinent says,

The relationship between the Church in Switzerland and the papacy holds particular significance, as the circumstances greatly differed from those in Germany. The Swiss had long been held in high regard by the popes, owing to their steadfast adherence to doctrine and their recent unwavering support for the political and military interests of the papacy. When Julius II, the Pope at the time, became embroiled in a struggle with other powers over control of Northern Italy, he sought the assistance of Swiss mercenary troops. Through the efforts of an influential Swiss Bishop named Matthias Schinner of Sitten, the Swiss Confederates agreed to aid the Pope by sending a contingent of men. Initially, the Swiss believed they were entering a holy war to safeguard the Church. However, when they discovered the true objectives of the campaign, it was challenging to convince them to continue their involvement. Nevertheless, in 1510 and 1512, they ultimately marched into Italy and demonstrated remarkable bravery on the battlefield. In recognition of their services, the Pope not only remunerated them but also bestowed upon them a golden sword and a finely embroidered ducal cap as symbols of their military and political sovereignty. (Vincent, 1901:31-32)

3. This depiction of Switzerland in the 15th and 16th centuries provides us with insight into the prevailing circumstances of the time. Interestingly, the situation in Switzerland was not vastly different from that of Germany, and, in fact, many regions across Europe faced similar challenges. This commonality raises questions as to why such circumstances were widespread and why the Church failed to address them appropriately once they became aware of the situation. Exploring these questions yields valuable lessons and insights into various answers and steadfast convictions.

In fact, in Europe of the 16th century, the churches had a complex blend of tradition and culture. They desired visually appealing facilities and wished to preserve them. The popes held a central position within the church and aimed to improve its financial system. While discussing matters pertaining to the church, they sought worldly fame and recognition. Moreover, they aspired to wield influence over the government in the name of the Lord. Unfortunately, as time passed, their focus shifted away from the teachings and principles of Jesus, leading to the loss of their connection with His name. It reminds us of a passage about sin.

James 1:5–8 NLT

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.

4. As James points out, during the 16th century, churches faced a division between their dedication to God and their worldly concerns, resulting in their instability. They were described as being double-minded, which means they held conflicting thoughts and desires. On one hand, they prioritized their relationship with God, while on the other hand, they focused on their own material well-being. This serves as a lesson to us, illustrating the reason behind our own instability in our relationship with God. When we examine historical records, they convey a message to the church, urging them not to be hypocritical. But who exactly is considered a hypocrite? The Bible provides us with insights into its meaning and significance.

Matthew 23:4–7 ESV

They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others.

5. Jesus provided an explanation of who is as a hypocrite. He identified them as individuals who possess a double-minded nature. When in the presence of others, they project an image of kindness and gentleness. However, in the privacy of their own space, their true thoughts and intentions are revealed. The Message Bible offers a clear and concise explanation of this concept.

“Instead of giving you God’s Law as food and drink by which you can banquet on God, they package it in bundles of rules, loading you down like pack animals. They seem to take pleasure in watching you stagger under these loads, and wouldn’t think of lifting a finger to help. Their lives are perpetual fashion shows, embroidered prayer shawls one day and flowery prayers the next. They love to sit at the head table at church dinners, basking in the most prominent positions, preening in the radiance of public flattery, receiving honorary degrees, and getting called ‘Doctor’ and ‘Reverend.’ (Matthew 23:4-7, MSG)

6. People often display hypocrisy when their primary motivation is their own fame or recognition while believing in Jesus. When people prioritize their personal desires over following God's guidance, they can easily stray from the right path in life. I have observed numerous churches that have veered off course, initially starting with a clear sense of direction in God. However, as they grew in size and prominence, they gradually lost their initial passion and deviated from God's intended path. Instead, these churches began to overly emphasize the role of the founding pastor, attributing the church's success solely to their influence and abilities.

7. The situation which the church showed describe bears similarities to the churches of the 16th century. The Reformations of the 16th century occurred when the church shifted its focus from the world to God. As the church centered itself on Jesus and prioritized the teachings of the Bible, they discovered the right path in God and began to earnestly serve Jesus Christ. By adopting a single-minded approach and staying on the narrow path in Jesus, rather than being double-minded between God and the world, the church discovered its true purpose, dedicated to advancing God's kingdom. It teaches us that just as a church can embody the teachings of Jesus when it wholeheartedly focuses on God, it can truly follow God's path when its members share a unified purpose and mindset.

Luke 13:23–24 (NKJV)

Then one said to Him, “Lord, are there few who are saved?” And He said to them,  “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.

8. During his teachings today, Peter emphasized that our motivation for life and perseverance should revolve around Jesus Christ. He stressed that even in the midst of suffering, our actions should be guided by a desire to honor the name of Jesus, rather than solely seeking personal well-being. Furthermore, Peter encouraged his listeners to be prepared to articulate why and how they continue to do what is right, even in the face of persecution. He did not suggest that they pray for their circumstances to change, nor did he promise that God would intervene and improve their situation if they behaved righteously. Instead, Peter underscored the importance of exhibiting good behavior in difficult times, as it serves to reveal the true nature of God and the identity of Jesus to those around them. This is in line with what Paul also said. Just as Paul mentioned, our good deeds, driven by the motivation of Jesus in our hearts and actions, will surely bear fruit not according to our desires and expectations, but according to God's timing.

Galatians 6:9 M:BCL

So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit.

10. Our intention behind organizing VBS (Vacation Bible School) and engaging in outreach activities is not to seek fame for our church or to simply grow its size through various programs. Rather, our motivation stems from the understanding that God has chosen us to be His church and the embodiment of Jesus. When we strive to do what is right, we are essentially carrying out God's work, for He is inherently good. Through our actions, we aim to reveal God's character to others and allow them to witness His presence in our lives.

Instead of being divided in our mindset, we must focus on God's work and refrain from becoming overly concerned with our personal well-being. When we dedicate ourselves to God's work, He promises to bless us and provide us with our daily needs. We can trust that God will sustain us, granting us enough to sustain our daily lives. Therefore, we should avoid constantly asking for our desires to be fulfilled or for our situation to change. We should recognize that we are more blessed than other countries experiencing persecution.

Instead, let us earnestly seek God's work and actively participate in it. By aligning ourselves with God's purposes, we can be assured that He will be with us and utilize us for the advancement of His kingdom. Please remember the word Peter preached today.

1 Peter 3:13–18 M:BCL

If with heart and soul you’re doing good, do you think you can be stopped? Even if you suffer for it, you’re still better off. Don’t give the opposition a second thought. Through thick and thin, keep your hearts at attention, in adoration before Christ, your Master. Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you’re living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy. Keep a clear conscience before God so that when people throw mud at you, none of it will stick. They’ll end up realizing that they’re the ones who need a bath. It’s better to suffer for doing good, if that’s what God wants, than to be punished for doing bad. That’s what Christ did definitively: suffered because of others’ sins, the Righteous One for the unrighteous ones. He went through it all—was put to death and then made alive—to bring us to God.