In this wonderful and sublime epistle, Peter is addressing this letter to Jews scattered and living in foreign cities, facing severe persecution. Peter calls these believers “strangers” because they were temporary residents in a hostile world (I Peter 1:1, 2:11). In spite of experiencing persecution, Peter offers words of hope, a call to holiness, and an explanation of the role of suffering in Christian experience. Peter reminds these believers struggling in the midst of persecution that they have been born again to a living hope because they serve a living Saviour; therefore, as children of God, their character and conduct can be above reproach as they imitate the Holy One who called them.
The essence of their Christian character can be manifested in actions rooted in their submissive obedience to authorities in the world (I Peter 2:13-25), and their conduct in the family (I Peter 3:1-8). Beginning in I Peter 3: 8-12, Peter makes an urgent appeal for these believers to exhibit Christlike submission as they encounter persecution in a hostile world. This world, brothers and sisters, is not our permanent residence, for heaven is our ultimate and eternal home (Philippians 3:20). As we sojourn in this hostile world, we will be tried and encounter tribulation in this hostile world, for Jesus said: “In this world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” Yes, as believers in this dismal and hostile world, we will experience hard times of persecution, for II Timothy 3:12 states: “Yes, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” However, your response to persecution can either cause you to grow or grumble as you sojourn in this hostile world!
In this section of I Peter 3:8-12, Peter issues some practical exhortations for living peacefully in a hostile world quoting from Psalm 34:12-16. I Peter 3:8-12 may be outlined as follows: I. The Mutual Love That Should Be Exhibited in the Christian Family – I Peter 3:8; II. The Christian Family Suffering in a Hostile World – I Peter 3:9-12.
I. The Mutual Love That Should Be Exhibited in the Christian Family
– I Peter 3:8
Beginning in verse 8, Peter listed five characteristics every believer must exhibit as he or she seeks to live peaceably in a hostile and unfriendly world. As believers, we are exhorted to live in harmony with one another, to be sympathetic, to love as brothers, to be compassionate, and to be courteous or humble. In seeking to live aright in this unfriendly world, believers must exhibit Agape love, that love that seeks the highest good of others.
You see, mutual love among believers is a genuine badge that we are disciples of Christ, for Christ said in St. John 13:35: “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” In St. John 15:12-13, Jesus also stated: “This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” Brothers and sisters, the type of love Christ manifested toward us was self-sacrificial. Self-sacrificial love (Agape love) seeks the highest good of others!
Having observed “The Mutual Love That Should Be Exhibited in the Christian Family” – I Peter 3:8, now let us observe “The Christian Family Suffering in a Hostile World” – I Peter 3:9-12.
II. The Christian Family Suffering in a Hostile World – I Peter 3:9-12
Peter exhorts believers not to retaliate when they are being maltreated by others in verse 9. We are not to retaliate when we are being maltreated by others; however, we are to commit the matter to the Lord. We need to roll the matter over unto the Lord. Allow the Lord to handle the matter, for Romans 12:19 states: “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” Psalm 37 informs us that we need not fret with regard to evil doers, for Psalm 37:1-2, 5 says: “Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity, For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass.”
Rather than returning evil, Christians are to seek peace and pursue it. Peace is being pursued when we return a blessing when we are insulted. Paul wrote: “When we are cursed, we bless: (I Corinthians 4:12). As believers, we are called to “inherit a blessing.” As we seek to do good, we should practice using our tongues in the proper way and refrain from evil in pursuance of peace!
Brothers and sisters, let us continue to live godly in this ungodly world, for God is watching over us, and He is very attentive to what we stand in need of! Brothers and sisters, even during this pandemic moment, don’t you fret, because God will take care of us! Mount Moriah, let us be encouraged for the hymn writer wrote:
“God Will Take Care of You”
Be not dismayed whate’er betide,
God will take care of you.
Beneath His wings of love abide,
God will take care of you.
God will take care of you,
Through every day, o’er all the way;
He will take care of you,
God will take care of you.
May God Bless!
Dr. Johnny Calvin Smith
