Previously, I shared with you how the Apostle Peter taught us that, since we have been adopted into Christ, we are now part of a wonderful family. We are a chosen nation, a royal priesthood, people who belong to God.

That means that we must learn how to take our place in this wonderful new family. Our cultural values, personal morals and previous experiences all color the way that we relate to each other. That’s why Peter spent a lot of time telling us how to get along with each other.

Now, he turns his attention toward helping us to grow in our redemption. We know that it is through faith that we are brought into the family. Our good works can never purchase our salvation. But, Peter does want us to act in ways that will bring us closer to God.

Think about it this way. When a baby is born into a family, that child immediately becomes a valued part of the family. But, everyone in the family expects that the child will grow. They will assume the values that the family upholds and they will contribute to the good of the family. That’s also true of how we are to relate to each other in the church.

As we read I Peter 3:13-17, Peter challenges us to put energy and effort into growing in our faith so that when opposition comes, we can stand. Let’s read this together:

Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 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, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.

When we are growing in Christ, the lessons we learn help us stand in the hard times and offer a good answer when people become curious about our faith. Peter says that if we have the right heart attitude, people will respond to the salvation we have embraced. When they oppose us, we can stand knowing that our lives are in good standing with God.

That’s important to know, but increasingly, Christians are being singled out for persecution. If our lives are pure before God, we can be assured that He will be with us in times of hardship and that our lives will lead even our persecutors toward Christ.

It also allows us to walk in the example of Christ, the righteous One who was persecuted by the unrighteous.

Look at what Peter says in verse 18-22:

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.

In God’s view, any persecution we suffer here on earth is unworthy of comparison to the work that Christ did for us as God’s perfect sacrifice for our sins. That doesn’t mean that He forgets us when we are persecuted. Instead, it guarantees that He will bring us through the difficulties. If God, through Christ, could conquer the grave on our behalf, surely God can guarantee our deliverance through hard times.

In fact, hard times make strong believers. Peter teaches us that persecution brings maturity and strength.

Let’s read I Peter 4:1-2 together:

Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God.

Hardship puts everything into perspective. When we must stand for Christ at great cost, we are less likely to live for sinful desires.

Peter put it this way in verse 3:

For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry.

When we are no longer controlled by the desires that control others around us, we show that God has the power to break every chain of bondage to sin. We become a witness for Christ’s power to deliver the captive. We become light to a dark world.

Peter makes this very clear in verses 4-6:

With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.

Why is all of this important? Because Peter teaches us that this world is on a collision course with destruction. He wants us as believers to be ready to stand against whatever evil exists in our day. He wants us to have overcoming power and a strong resolve to honor Christ, even in the hard times.

Listen to his wise instruction for us in verse 7-11:

The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies–in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

What are the main things he says here? Well, first of all, we have only a short time to stand for Jesus. Christ can come at any time. In the meantime, some will face persecution and perhaps even death. That should wake us up to the importance of every believer.

We must live in peace with each other. We must show love toward each other that genuinely reflects the value God places on each of us.

Peter encourages us to stop any bickering or fighting that we have allowed to creep into our lives. We are to stop our complaining and start using the gifts God gives us to serve each other. Finally, he tells us that we need to accept our role as witnesses to our generation on earth. Why? So that Christ can be glorified.

When we stand for Christ each day, we show others the power of God to change lives. When we live for ourselves, our sins are obvious to the world around us and they mock God. Peter’s teaching here is clear. The time is short. We must be serious about winning our world. We must allow God to continuously change us to be more like Jesus.

Next time, we will talk about Peter’s desire that we consent to our roles in the Church. But perhaps today you realize that you need to find peace with God before the hard times come. You can. Simply ask Jesus Christ to forgive your sins and become the Savior of our your life.

If you want that new life Jesus promises, if you want the strength to stand in hard times, please pray with me:

Dear Jesus,

Please forgive me of the wrong things I have done. I need your help to change. I receive your promise of new life. I know You died to set me free from my sins. Please become the Savior of my life. In Jesus’ name, amen!

If you prayed that prayer today, please click the button below that says: “I need Jesus” and someone will contact you soon.

Until next time, Live for Jesus!