A Blessing In Suffering (1 Peter 3:13-18)

Bible Passage: 1 Peter 3:13-18

Living in this world as an exile is not always easy. As well as the suffering that is common to everyone, it is also possible that the Christian will face opposition and suffering for their faith in Jesus. In these verses, Peter gets into this topic and looks at how our identity in Christ forms our perspective and response when suffering comes.

When you suffer, you are blessed (v13-14): In verse 13, Peter makes the simple statement that when you suffer for doing good, you are blessed. He does not go into much detail about why this is the case, but other New Testament teaching develops the idea. James teaches that trials build our perseverance and help us grow towards maturity in Christ (James 1:3-4) and Paul makes a similar point in Romans 5:3-4. Paul also points out our security in Christ and how our sufferings cannot threaten our relationship with Jesus (Romans 8:38-39). It can be easy to have a reactionary approach to suffering, where our only focus is wanting it to stop by whatever means necessary. Relief from suffering is a good thing to desire, but we should also consider how God might use the suffering that we experience, and how we can be blessed even in the midst of this. When we know that we are blessed whatever happens, it makes the threat of opposition lose some of its edge, and we do not need to live in fear of what might happen.

When you suffer, you can point to Jesus (v15-16): Verse 15 is a commonly used verse to encourage people in evangelism and apologetics, but the context is when believers face persecution and suffering for their faith. As we suffer well, and lift up Jesus in the midst of opposition, this will cause people to take notice and ask questions. When these questions come we should be prepared and ready to speak in ways that are both filled with truth (‘always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you’) and also with love (‘do this with gentleness and respect’). The point Peter is making is that even our suffering may open the door to gospel opportunities. We should ready ourselves with clear and authentic ways of explaining our faith, ready for when these opportunities come along, whether the cause of the questions is how we face times of suffering or something else.

When you suffer, you follow Christ’s example (v17-18): Suffering well is not easy. In order to encourage the believers who would have to endure hardship, Peter brings up the example of Jesus. Our suffering as believers follows after the pattern of his, and so we can look to the example of how he suffered. As well as the suffering of Jesus being an example, it was also the thing that made it possible for us to have relationship with God. As verse 18 explains, Jesus was totally righteous, and yet he died in the place of sinful people like us. Through his death on the cross, he took our sin upon himself, and so removed the barrier that blocked our access to God. Following his death he was raised again by God. The resurrection of Jesus gives us assurance that suffering and even death is not the end, and that as we are called to suffer for what is right, we will experience the vindication of God, either in this life or in eternity.

Potential Applications:

• There may be people in the room who are currently experiencing suffering. Offer the opportunity to pray with people who want God to strengthen them in what they have to endure.
• The passage challenges us to be ready to share our faith. Challenge people to think about how they would share their testimony or answer the questions people might ask when given the opportunity.
• In the passage is a clear explanation of what Jesus did on the cross. for us. Invite people to put their trust in him and receive the forgiveness of sins that he brings.