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Suffering and Witness Through Rejection of Worldly Wisdom (1 Peter 3:13-17)

The constant pull of wordliness is a fight that every Christian has experienced. This pull grows even stronger when we face the possibility of suffering and persecution. If bowing to the world will keep us safe and have us accepted by those who could make our lives miserable, or worse, end them, we may feel a tug to give in to the world's wishes. But God, in today's passage, reminds us that God's way is the opposite of the world's way. He reminds us that physical suffering places us in the same story as Jesus, and is worth it when it results in eternal glory and peace with God!

  1. Peace with God is worth emnity with the World (3:13-14a)
    1. We are not promised worldly safety even if we are faithful.
    2. Suffering for righteousness allows us to experience Christlikeness.
  2. God's justice and holiness demand our allegiance. (14b-15a)
    1. We must not believe the lies of the world in order to be safe from them. (Isaiah 8:12)
    2. We must have reverence for God that overcomes our fear of worldly suffering (Matthew 10:28)
  3. Suffering and personal holiness will provide opportunity for sharing the Gospel (15b)
    1. We should be prepared for the world to question our peace in the midst of suffering.
    2. We should be prepared for the world to question our reverence for the Lrod and His commands.
  4. Our witness must be bold, but gentle and Christlike. (16a)
    1. We do adopt the world's ways of convincing and persuading.
    2. Our witness should be consistent in word and deed.
  5. Christlike witness drives our accusers to consider the Gospel in a new light (16b)
    1. When we do not adopt the world's ways, our accusers and enemies are brought to shame.
    2. The fruit of the Spirit will accuse those who lack it and show them the proper way to live.