The Everyday Prayer

Re:Verse passage – 1 Peter 3:8-17 (day seven)

always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence. vs 15

Apologists have adopted this verse as a defense to why we should study apologetics. We should know what we believe and why we believe it, these things are true. However, I think we can become overzealous to the defense and lose track of the very thing we were called to defend, the hope that is in you, as well as how we are supposed to defend it, with gentleness and reverence.

I recently encountered a professional apologist who was so well trained to debate that even his small talk came across as combative. Within five minutes of meeting this person, I began to ask myself this question: If I were an unbeliever, would I be more persuaded by logic or by love? If the people we are sending into the front lines are more concerned with winning an argument than displaying the hope we have in Jesus Christ, then our logic was flawed to begin with. Our society doesn’t need more divisiveness, we need more hope. Defend your hope!

Re:Verse passage – 1 Peter 3:8-17 (day six)

There’s a difference between reacting and responding. Reacting often lacks preparation, awareness, and mindfulness, whereas responding is preceded by anticipation and readiness.

That’s Peter’s aim, readiness. He doesn’t want these churches surprised by suffering, he wants them to expect it, and be ready for it when it comes. Peter wants them to do more than survive, more than grin and bear it, but he really wants them ready to engage others with hopefulness in the midst of suffering.

When suffering comes that’s our cue that God is up to something in the lives of those around us, and he plans to use our readiness so they can see and hear about the hope we have in Jesus.

Are you responding or only reacting to life’s circumstances?

Re:Verse passage – 1 Peter 3:8-17 (day five) “And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled.”  Fear was something with which Peter was very familiar. In the courtyard, out of fear, he denied knowing Jesus to a servant girl.(Luke 22:57).
But Peter found the solution to his fear and he wants these fearful believers in Asia Minor to know it. It’s found in Isaiah 8. He paraphrases part of the passage in our Re:Verse text (see beginning of this blog). Some scholars believe this passage could be interpreted “do not be afraid with fear of them.”  Isaiah continues, “It is the Lord of hosts whom you should regard as holy. And He shall be your fear, And He shall be your dread.”
If the fear of man is to be overcome, then it must be replaced or exchanged with the fear of God- devoted attention and adoration to His glory and and grace.
“A praising heart is immune to the fear of other people. Fear of another sort takes possession of our hearts and minds: a fear that does not flee in terror, but draws near in awe and worship.” – Edmond Clowney

When the fear of man is exchanged or replaced with the fear of God, what follows is a life filled with courage and conviction.

Re:Verse passage – 1 Peter 3:8-17 (day four)

Picture who is writing this passage…Peter.  Who was always the fiery disciple, ready to leap out of the boat before thinking…Peter.  Who was the first to speak up when an opinion was needed…Peter.  Who drew his sword to protect and defend his lord…Peter.  Now, who has matured in his faith and has been chosen by God to be inspired to write His Holy Word…Peter.  The longer Peter served the Lord, the more he grew in his courage, wisdom, and his insight into the heart of God.

Have you ever thought, “I wish I had his bible knowledge” or “I could never witness like he does.”  Christian maturity comes with commitment, preparation, and experience.  As we look back over our lives, we should see a growing relationship.  Our lives should not be the same now as when we first came to know Christ.  Do you see a growth?  A maturity?  Are you wiser, more knowledgeable, more willing to serve now than before? It is the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.  We cannot remain the same!

Re:Verse passage – 1 Peter 3:8-17 (day three)

“For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.”

What is the difference in the quality of suffering in each of the cases Peter mentions? Why is one better than the other? Righteous suffering would seem to be primarily formative in effect, while punitive suffering would seem to be primarily corrective in effect. If that is true, then punitive suffering would involve a costly repair of one’s standing within earthly systems of authority. Righteous suffering, on the other hand, is an opportunity to spend all of one’s God-given internal resources not on repair, but on more direct identification with Christ. Christ walked the path of the innocent sufferer. All who suffer for doing good walk right beside him.

Re:Verse passage – 1 Peter 3:8-17 (day two) …but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; vs. 15

I’m thinking a lot about Christmas these days. Let’s be honest, I think a lot about Christmas most days. Our theme this year is ‘Go and Tell’ which is a combination of the Great Commission, and the eagerness of the shepherds after their encounter with the angels and the baby Jesus. The shepherds are an incredible model for us as witnessing believers. There is no way they could understand the significance of all the events to which they were a witness. That fact, however, did not stop them from telling everyone they encountered about what they saw. Our responsibility is not to have a Master’s of Divinity in Exegetical Preaching. Ours is to simply, clearly, lovingly tell others who we know Jesus to be in our own lives, in our own words. To be clear, we should always pursue a greater understanding of God and his great work, but our qualification to share is our relationship with him. To preach Christ crucified and alive. This is truth. This is worth sharing.

Re:Verse passage – 1 Peter 3:1-7 (day seven)

Your adornment must not be merely external…

The women whom Peter was referring to were dressing and adorning themselves extravagantly. So much to the point that it had become a distraction in the congregation. Maybe they were trying to appear more holy or more educated. Maybe their goals were vain and they were seeking attention for their beauty. Nevertheless, while trying so hard to gain the attention of those around them, they were neglecting the attention of the One who gave them their true beauty.

Who are you trying to impress? It may be with clothes or jewelry, or it could be with words or attitude, but it becomes easy for us to enter our church buildings more worried about how we will be perceived by others in the room than the message we came there to receive. You have created a distraction by making others the object of your worship rather than God. Who will you try to impress today?

Re:Verse passage – 1 Peter 3:1-7 (day six)

³² Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? Romans 8:32

We all get pretty anxious reading texts like 1 Peter 3:1-7. I’m a father of three daughters, and I get anxious. There is a high level of sensitivity when our autonomy and equality feels constrained. It can feel like something is being taken, or for some it feels like they have always been without.

What gives me comfort as I read hard texts is reminding myself that God is always a giver and never a taker. He never robs us or strips us of our humanity or dignity; he never takes away our joy, or our purpose. No, God’s desire is that we flourish as his image bearers; men and women, husbands and wives together.

I’m reminded I can always trust that God’s Word is good.