It's a jungle out there

Just to refresh our memories, here is our focus passage again:

Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17 For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. (I Peter 3:13-17)

Last time, we mentioned that Peter was hitting his stride here, on the same theme that he has discussed before -- our Christian witness in a hostile world.
But now he really hits the point home.... look at how many words in our passage really show the hostility of the world toward believers..... in verse 13, "harm you;" in verse 14, don't fear their "threats," and don't be "frightened." Then in verse 16, "malicious," "slander," and in verse 17, "suffer."
Wow.
It's a jungle out there, no?
Whether we are believers in a country where persecution of Christians is sanctioned, or whether we are in a country where we are simply ridiculed and discriminated against, it can seem like a jungle full of danger for a believer who wants to glorify the Father and witness for Him.
What are we to do in the midst of all that hostility? In between the "harm" and "threats" and "slander"?
Peter says we need good behavior combined with thoughtful words.... in these same verses, he says things like: "eager to do good," and "gentleness" and "respect." And as for the thoughtful words....he uses "apologia," which is a Greek word for defense, and also "logos" meaning account. Both terms refer to giving verbal witness -- speaking a word for Christ. Then the finale; he says "revere Christ as Lord," "good behavior in Christ," and "God's will." All of these are pointing towards keeping ourselves under His Lordship as we work and witness in this world.

It's interesting that Peter connects this passage to the previous one, where he quoted from Psalm 34. In several translations, there is an "and" at the start of verse thirteen, and in one, the word "now." Peter clearly meant to build on the concept he quoted, as he moved forward.
What does the quote from Psalm 34 say? It says that God will vindicate the righteous and punish the wicked. That is an important thing to keep in mind if we are facing hostility or if we're nervous about witnessing. Fearing God above all else will keep us from being intimidated, and give us the boldness that we need.
Also, by quoting the psalm, Peter was reminding his readers (and us) that believers are to seek peace, but also that there are people in this world who are righteous, and others who are evil. The implication of verse 13 (according to some commentaries I consulted) is that if we are zealous for what is good, generally speaking, we will be at peace with others. Kinda like this verse:

When the Lord takes pleasure in anyone’s way,    he causes their enemies to make peace with them. (Proverbs 16:7)

Now, we can't take that as a promise without exception....not a guarantee.....but a proverb that usually holds true. An upright life is more peaceful than a wicked one.

Another way that Peter's words may be considered is that he might be looking at ultimate harm and ultimate good. He was looking into the future, and reminding us that our lives are ordered by our Father God.  As my grandma used to say, "as long as the Lord's willin' and the creek don't rise" something might happen as we envisioned it happening. (Grin)
Seriously, though, our futures are in His hands, and under His protection. Remember Jesus telling His disciples:

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. (Matthew 10:28)

Peter is pointing out that if we maintain a good conscience when we are slandered, someday our enemies will be put to shame.....it may be in this life, when our good behavior exposes their lies, or it may be at the judgement when God calls them to account. Those who do evil will suffer, either here or in eternity. Those who do good may suffer here, but they will be vindicated in eternity.

Now, it's true, and many a believer knows from personal experience, we may face suffering because of our righteous living. God may not immediately judge the wicked, so it may seem to us like they are "getting away with" their evil behavior and deeds. Sometimes unbelievers feel condemned in the presence of a righteous person, even if the believer hasn't said a word about God! It's just that their good behavior and words make the sinner's conscience get all bothered, and so they are extremely uncomfortable! They may even lash out at the Christian, who may find it all very puzzling....after all, they've not said anything....... but their life has spoken volumes to the unbeliever!

Now, what does Peter mean by blessed? He says if we suffer for the sake of righteousness, we are "blessed."
Has Peter lost it here? Are we supposed to feel warm and fuzzy and happy when someone is maliciously slandering us, or persecuting us for our faith?
I don't think he means that. I believe he means we will have joy knowing that our lives are pleasing to God. Jesus said:

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad,because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."  (Matthew 5:11-12)

And these words of Jesus, too:

If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 20 Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. (John 15:18-20)

Verse 17 in our passage makes it pretty clear: sometimes it is God's will that we suffer for doing what is right. But Jesus is still Lord, and we can trust Him and not fear.

Yep, it's a jungle out there. The world is hostile toward Christ, and if we are identified with Him, there is always the possibility that the world will be hostile toward us. But we are here to bear witness of His mercy.  And these verses will help us do that faithfully.
We'll continue tomorrow.