Together in Christ: 'Ready to Share Our Hope!' — 1 Peter 3:13-17

Monday, December 9, 2024

Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don't worry or be afraid of their threats. Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong!
— 1 Peter 3:13-17 NLT

Key Thought

Jesus challenged us with the following commands:

"You have heard the law that says, 'Love your neighbor' and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect." [1]

Jesus demonstrated His commitment to the redemptive principles He had taught when He prayed the following to the Father as He was crucified:

Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they are doing." And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice. [2]

As Jesus' disciples, our goal is to follow Him and become increasingly more like Him by the power of the Holy Spirit. [3] This means that we are a people of forgiveness and grace. [4] Our hearts align with Jesus' great desire to reach the world with the Good News of grace. [5] So like the apostle Paul, we do all we can to reach those who do not know Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. [6]

Peter reminded disciples in Asia Minor in our verses today about being willing to suffer for the cause of Christ. He called them — and us along with them — to follow Jesus' example and teaching. Our character and behavior under trial and suffering allow us to share our hope in Jesus. We want the world to know that Jesus is the reason for our good deeds under criticism, grace under fire, and mercy toward those who abuse and oppress us. Our goal is to save those who mistreat us, not defeat them in an argument or see them defeated by death. Our response to their criticism and hostility is to share our hope "in a gentle and respectful way." This orientation toward our enemies and oppressors has great power to redeem and allows us to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, who was God's "Suffering Servant" Who redeemed the world. We are the people of God as we follow in the steps of our Savior and live into this role in the world to redeem the world.

[1] Matthew 5:43-48.
[2] Luke 23:34.
[3] Luke 6:20; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Colossians 1:28-29.
[4] Ephesians 4:31-5:2.
[5] Matt "ew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8, 20:18-24; Ephesians 3:17; Colossians 1"6.
"6] 1 Corinthians 9:19-27.
[7] See Isaiah 53 for the primary passage for the "Suffering Servant" that prophesies about Jesus. Four Servant of the Lord passages in Isaiah that help define this role for the Messiah — Isaiah 42:1-9, 49:1-13, 50:4-11, 52:13-53:12.

Today's Prayer

Father, I need Your strength to live with the kind of grace toward my adversaries and oppressors that Jesus demonstrated and the early disciples practiced. Strengthen me through the Holy Spirit so that others can see my faith and grace when I am under trial and allow me to share my hope in Jesus. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Isaiah 52:13-53:12
  • Matthew 5:43-48

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Illustration

Illustration of 1 Peter 3:13-17 NLT — Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don't worry or be afraid of their threats. Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong!

About This Devotional

Together in Christ is a daily devotional that focuses on what Scripture teaches about godly living in relationships.

'Together in Christ' is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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