Part07_Why

Peter then extends his advice on submitting from the distant, civil rule to a more personal relationship: an admonition to servants to submit to masters who are "good and gentle," and also those who are "harsh" (2.18). Again, why? Peter explains it with the paradoxical axiom that suffering evil for righteousness' sake is commendable. He adds that it is to be done patiently (v.20).

[INDENT] "For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: Who committed no sin, nor was guile found in His mouth; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously." (2.21-23)

Very often, the idea of Christ leaving us an example to do as He did has been lifted out of this passage and applied to issues at hand like Sabbath observance, etc. Now, there is no mistake in believing that we must obey God just as Jesus Christ did. But, let's not overlook the point Peter was primarily making. The act in which we are told explicitly by Peter to follow is in suffering evil for righteousness' sake. That's what the whole passage is teaching us, and Peter is emphatic here in saying, "You should follow His steps"! That is a directive.

So, this oppression is not to be resisted. It is not even to just be tolerated. It is vital to our very calling. It is one of the experiences that will make us in God's likeness. It is the crucible for the development of holy, righteous character.

Do we really believe Jesus when He pronounces a blessing upon those who are reviled and persecuted (Matthew 5.11)? That statement by Jesus is what Peter seems to be echoing, and magnifying, in this passage.

Throughout his first letter Peter, admonishes us to stop wasting effort trying to figure out an escape route from our trials, and instead to seek to learn what God will teach us through them. We are naturally pain-averse, (and that is a sign of a healthy mind!) but God uses adversity to create precious character. The abuse that Jesus Christ endured and the patient way in which He endured it were examples for us to follow. [FN11 -- "Jesus sighed and cried out to the Father in His distress -- similar to the depiction of God's faithful in Ezekiel 9.4 -- another way in which we become like Him (Luke 22.42,44; Hebrews 5.7).

How can this be? This is beginning to sound like the pagan idea of penance. Well, the concept Peter is expounding on is in Christ's own words in Matthew 16.25 -- "he who seeks to save his life will lose it." Jesus Christ sought to give throughout His physical life, ended up giving His life, and the outcome of that giving is "commendable before God." So, this act of suffering evil for righteousness' sake is one of the very fundamental avenues by which God builds His character in us, if our motive is giving. The motive in pagan penance is getting favor from the gods by "purchasing" it. That's not what Peter is teaching. This whole passage is built on the foundational assumption that outgoing concern is the right motive for everything we do. And that law of love is one of the keys to successfully responding to this grievous trial. This is no time to think of ourselves. More on that later.

First Peter 3 then begins with a reference back to the previous verses on Christ's suffering, and on servants submitting to masters -- "Likewise ..." wives should submit to their husbands, even ones not obedient to God, so that the wife's conduct may "win over" the unconverted mate. God's thoughts can appear counter-intuitive to the human mind, and these are certainly not "common sense" concepts. He recommends submitting to someone who doesn't obey God's Word! The purpose again, is clear -- for their good. Again, that is the key here -- thinking about others who are currently unconverted, or at the very least temporarily blinded.

It is perhaps no surprise that the word "submit" has been eliminated from wedding ceremonies conducted these days. The zeitgeist is to view submission as a negative thing. In reality, it is one of the key qualities Jesus Christ exemplified for us. In a way, submission is next to Godliness.

[INDENT] "... who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? But even if you suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled."

We can find great encouragement in these words. Putting, our lives in harm's way is folly, except if we know that it is God's Will and that He will take care of us. Peter is saying, "don't think about yourselves, don't try to squirrel your way out of the circumstances, don't try to sort things out on your own, don't try to exact vengeance yourselves -- just trust God to take care of you." Those who suffer in this way must walk by faith (II Corinthians 4.16-5.8), because the things which their senses tell them would convince them to search for a way to escape from the suffering (e.g. joining a splinter group, staying at home).

[INDENT] "... 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; that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed." (3.15-16.)

As he mentioned earlier, Peter reiterates that there is purposefulness in this suffering: not just our own perfection, but also the witness to the unconverted of the mind of God. God wants them to see this attitude which Jesus Christ displayed in His time in the flesh 2000 years ago. That is the main point of this passage.

[INDENT] "Let each of you look out not only for his own interests. but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you, which was in Christ Jesus, who ... made himself of no reputation, taking the form of a servant, ... humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death ..." (Philippians 2.5)

[INDENT] "The Lord GOD has given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary. He awakens me morning by morning, he awakens my ear to bear as the learned. The Lord GOD has opened my ear; and I was not rebellious, nor did I turn away. I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who plucked out the beard; I did not hide my face from shame and spitting. For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore I will not be disgraced; therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I will not be ashamed." (Isaiah 50.4-7)

What a passage of Scripture! We are becoming more like Jesus Christ as we are spit upon, mocked, and struck -- that is, if we are responding to the persecution with obedience. Has this trial not given us great lessons, great instruction, and great spiritual growth? It has been a period of unparalleled learning for Joyful GRUMPs. Submission gives us these great opportunities.

We have chosen not to rebel, just as Jesus did not rebel against those who had rule over him in the puny Sanhedrin and the puny Roman provincial government. The fruit of that has proven ultimately to be precious. Of course, at the time Jesus chose to submit to the wicked Pharisees, His disciples thought He was crazy for putting Himself through it (Mark 9.31-32). We must not equate submission to suffering with disobedience -- that was a mistake by Peter that was inspired by Satan himself (Matthew 16.21-23). Actually, Peter's mistaken rebuke was what prompted Jesus to explain one of the fundamental Truths which God is writing on our hearts: if we seek to save our lives, we will lose them (16.24-25). That Truth is perhaps one of the most important lessons we are learning in this gruesome trial. Choosing to submit to this "unjust" suffering is the right choice.

Jesus taught about learning from unprovoked persecution earlier in His ministry. in the Sermon on the Mount, He said it was a blessing to [be] persecuted for His sake (Matthew 5.10-11). Why is this so? Again, because it is a testimony to the world of the character of God. As we suffer evil for righteousness' sake, we show the world how Jesus Christ thinks and acts. As Jesus says, this is how we are the salt of the earth, the only light that shines into this dark world (v.13).

Our submitting to harsh masters is good for us because in it, God is creating us in his image. It is also good for those who are witnessed to -- because God uses the witness to teach them (v.16). Recall how Peter pointed to Christ's example of suffering for righteousness' sake, then went on to draw a parallel to a wife submitting to an unconverted husband. The point which Peter brought out is that the submission is for the benefit of the person who "may be won by the conduct of their wives." This act of submission both works to perfect the person submitting and serves as a great witness to the person who does not now "obey the Word."

So, the answer to our dilemma is not to change the form/structure of administration -- that's not where the critical gap exists. Nor is the answer to depart from an organization with which we don't align -- for we will then forever be departing organizations until we are utterly isolated from all human beings. Rather, the answer is to become obedient to the point of death, and in so doing, to learn (and teach our persecutors) the lessons which our older brother, Jesus Christ learned (and taught).



	Why Stay, Part 7 Peter then extends his advice on submitting from the distant, civil rule to a more personal relationship: an admonition to servants to submit to masters who are "good and gentle," and also those who are "harsh" (2.18). Again, why? Peter explains it with the paradoxical axiom that suffering evil for righteousness' sake is commendable. He adds that it is to be done patiently (v.20). Then follows a remarkable statement, perhaps one of the most revolutionary ideas one can imagine: [INDENT] "For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: Who committed no sin, nor was guile found in His mouth; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously." (2.21-23) Very often, the idea of Christ leaving us an example to do as He did has been lifted out of this passage and applied to issues at hand like Sabbath observance, etc. Now, there is no mistake in believing that we must obey God just as Jesus Christ did. But, let's not overlook the point Peter was primarily making. The act in which we are told explicitly by Peter to follow is in suffering evil for righteousness' sake. That's what the whole passage is teaching us, and Peter is emphatic here in saying, "You should follow His steps"! That is a directive. So, this oppression is not to be resisted. It is not even to just be tolerated. It is vital to our very calling. It is one of the experiences that will make us in God's likeness. It is the crucible for the development of holy, righteous character. Do we really believe Jesus when He pronounces a blessing upon those who are reviled and persecuted (Matthew 5.11)? That statement by Jesus is what Peter seems to be echoing, and magnifying, in this passage. Throughout his first letter Peter, admonishes us to stop wasting effort trying to figure out an escape route from our trials, and instead to seek to learn what God will teach us through them. We are naturally pain-averse, (and that is a sign of a healthy mind!) but God uses adversity to create precious character. The abuse that Jesus Christ endured and the patient way in which He endured it were examples for us to follow. [FN11 -- "Jesus sighed and cried out to the Father in His distress -- similar to the depiction of God's faithful in Ezekiel 9.4 -- another way in which we become like Him (Luke 22.42,44; Hebrews 5.7). How can this be? This is beginning to sound like the pagan idea of penance. Well, the concept Peter is expounding on is in Christ's own words in Matthew 16.25 -- "he who seeks to save his life will lose it." Jesus Christ sought to give throughout His physical life, ended up giving His life, and the outcome of that giving is "commendable before God." So, this act of suffering evil for righteousness' sake is one of the very fundamental avenues by which God builds His character in us, if our motive is giving. The motive in pagan penance is getting favor from the gods by "purchasing" it. That's not what Peter is teaching. This whole passage is built on the foundational assumption that outgoing concern is the right motive for everything we do. And that law of love is one of the keys to successfully responding to this grievous trial. This is no time to think of ourselves. More on that later. First Peter 3 then begins with a reference back to the previous verses on Christ's suffering, and on servants submitting to masters -- "Likewise ..." wives should submit to their husbands, even ones not obedient to God, so that the wife's conduct may "win over" the unconverted mate. God's thoughts can appear counter-intuitive to the human mind, and these are certainly not "common sense" concepts. He recommends submitting to someone who doesn't obey God's Word! The purpose again, is clear -- for their good. Again, that is the key here -- thinking about others who are currently unconverted, or at the very least temporarily blinded. It is perhaps no surprise that the word "submit" has been eliminated from wedding ceremonies conducted these days. The zeitgeist is to view submission as a negative thing. In reality, it is one of the key qualities Jesus Christ exemplified for us. In a way, submission is next to Godliness. In I Peter 3.8-12, he continues his thoughts on submission. encouraging us to suffer evil without reciprocating. Then follows the important reassurance in v. 13, [INDENT] "... who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? But even if you suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled." We can find great encouragement in these words. Putting, our lives in harm's way is folly, except if we know that it is God's Will and that He will take care of us. Peter is saying, "don't think about yourselves, don't try to squirrel your way out of the circumstances, don't try to sort things out on your own, don't try to exact vengeance yourselves -- just trust God to take care of you." Those who suffer in this way must walk by faith (II Corinthians 4.16-5.8), because the things which their senses tell them would convince them to search for a way to escape from the suffering (e.g. joining a splinter group, staying at home). Then comes further instruction on what to do: [INDENT] "... 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; that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed." (3.15-16.) As he mentioned earlier, Peter reiterates that there is purposefulness in this suffering: not just our own perfection, but also the witness to the unconverted of the mind of God. God wants them to see this attitude which Jesus Christ displayed in His time in the flesh 2000 years ago. That is the main point of this passage. So, what do you mean submit? Let Paul tell us. [INDENT] "Let each of you look out not only for his own interests. but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you, which was in Christ Jesus, who ... made himself of no reputation, taking the form of a servant, ... humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death ..." (Philippians 2.5) The mind of Christ is humility, submission, obedience, and suffering, for these are commendable before God. Isaiah on Submission Christ knew submitting to suffering was to be the crucible of His learning; it was prophesied by Isaiah. [INDENT] "The Lord GOD has given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary. He awakens me morning by morning, he awakens my ear to bear as the learned. The Lord GOD has opened my ear; and I was not rebellious, nor did I turn away. I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who plucked out the beard; I did not hide my face from shame and spitting. For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore I will not be disgraced; therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I will not be ashamed." (Isaiah 50.4-7) This prophecy is interpreted in Hebrews 5.8 as follows: [INDENT] "... though He was a Son [of God], He learned obedience by the things which He suffered." What a passage of Scripture! We are becoming more like Jesus Christ as we are spit upon, mocked, and struck -- that is, if we are responding to the persecution with obedience. Has this trial not given us great lessons, great instruction, and great spiritual growth? It has been a period of unparalleled learning for Joyful GRUMPs. Submission gives us these great opportunities. We have chosen not to rebel, just as Jesus did not rebel against those who had rule over him in the puny Sanhedrin and the puny Roman provincial government. The fruit of that has proven ultimately to be precious. Of course, at the time Jesus chose to submit to the wicked Pharisees, His disciples thought He was crazy for putting Himself through it (Mark 9.31-32). We must not equate submission to suffering with disobedience -- that was a mistake by Peter that was inspired by Satan himself (Matthew 16.21-23). Actually, Peter's mistaken rebuke was what prompted Jesus to explain one of the fundamental Truths which God is writing on our hearts: if we seek to save our lives, we will lose them (16.24-25). That Truth is perhaps one of the most important lessons we are learning in this gruesome trial. Choosing to submit to this "unjust" suffering is the right choice. Jesus taught about learning from unprovoked persecution earlier in His ministry. in the Sermon on the Mount, He said it was a blessing to [be] persecuted for His sake (Matthew 5.10-11). Why is this so? Again, because it is a testimony to the world of the character of God. As we suffer evil for righteousness' sake, we show the world how Jesus Christ thinks and acts. As Jesus says, this is how we are the salt of the earth, the only light that shines into this dark world (v.13). Our submitting to harsh masters is good for us because in it, God is creating us in his image. It is also good for those who are witnessed to -- because God uses the witness to teach them (v.16). Recall how Peter pointed to Christ's example of suffering for righteousness' sake, then went on to draw a parallel to a wife submitting to an unconverted husband. The point which Peter brought out is that the submission is for the benefit of the person who "may be won by the conduct of their wives." This act of submission both works to perfect the person submitting and serves as a great witness to the person who does not now "obey the Word." So, the answer to our dilemma is not to change the form/structure of administration -- that's not where the critical gap exists. Nor is the answer to depart from an organization with which we don't align -- for we will then forever be departing organizations until we are utterly isolated from all human beings. Rather, the answer is to become obedient to the point of death, and in so doing, to learn (and teach our persecutors) the lessons which our older brother, Jesus Christ learned (and taught). <end of part 7> Click Here to Continue to Part 8