SCRIPTURE | 1 Peter 3:14–15 But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their fear, and do not be troubled, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts…
OBSERVATION | What we have been previously taught “you are blessed,” is here set in the condition of “if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness.” So now we see four commands given to us, for our good, when we do what is right and face opposition and hardship for it.
The first command we are given is “do not fear their fear, and do not be troubled.” This is a call to calm contentment, no matter what wrongs are done to us when we do good. To accept the trouble or the slander without being troubled. Fear is an apprehension, an alarm, an intimidation or scare. So, we are to be none of these things at the oncoming or continued ill treatment of others when we do what is right.
The command not to fear or be troubled, teaches us that this is an expected reaction to the opposition, but we are not to allow ourselves to follow that path. How? By acknowledging there is no refuge or safety among men and their enmity toward godliness. Our only refuge is in our Lord, and in Him we have a sure and absolute safety no one can take away from us. (See Ps 18:2; 61:3; 91:2-3; Prov 18:10) Just as Jesus said, “My friends, do not fear those who kill the body and after that have no more that they can do.” (Lk 12:4)
The second command we are given as we live for biblical righteousness even when opposed is “but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts.” Here we have a positive duty. This is a command of what we are to do. This is set in contrast to the negative command not to fear or be troubled. In the place of the fear of man, we are to have a fear of our Lord. Notice the location, “in your hearts.” Here we see the concept of a throne on our heart, and the question is who is sitting on the throne? Is it ourselves? For then we will fear the inconvenience and embarrassment of opposition as we strive for holiness in an unholy world.
Or are others on the throne of our heart? Winning their approval and doing what is pleasing in their eyes? For then the fleshly desires of others will control us. Who is on the throne of our heart? An honest review of this question will tell you who is your true lord. Jesus taught that you can only have one Master and Lord. (Lk 16:13) You cannot serve both yourself and Jesus. You cannot bow to other men and the Christ. So, dethrone any loyalty and any obedient devotion to any other but your Savior. Remove any reverent fear to any but the One who truly belongs on the throne.
“Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts.” That is, make Christ Jesus your Holy and almighty Lord. Your Master. Not only in outward obedience, that is the good and righteousness that you will be opposed for doing, but inwardly, make Him your Master and Lord “in your hearts.” Make a “holy” devotion to “Christ as Lord.”
For He is the one and only Lord. He is the one who we owe all our thoughts, words and deeds too. For there is no other Lord above Him. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords. (1 Tim 6:15; Rev 17:14; 19:16) He is to be the one-ultimate-exclusive-authority over our lives.
APPLICATION | Do you fear losing the approval of others? Do you fear what others think of you? Such thoughts will control and set men on the throne of your heart. Does it trouble you when others disapprove of your strict obedience to the Word, because your righteous living makes them feel condemned? Does your fear of being different keep you from transforming every thought, word and deed to something that is pleasing to the One Lord, according to His Holy Word? Repent of any hints of these thoughts. Turn from any worldliness in your life and weigh out everything to see if it conforms to the will of your Master and King.
PRAYER | Father, if we are honest with ourselves we have not sanctified Christ as Lord in our heart. In our carelessness, in our desire to conform and be like those around us, or in our wanting the easy way of living of the wordlings around us we have set up other lords to follow. The god of convince, the god of ease. The god of selfish-pleasure. The god of gaining more friends and followers. The gods who allow us to do as we please, instead of denying ourselves, taking up our crosses and following You. We repent today. We dethrone all who sit as lord over our lives. And in their place bow down before our One true Lord. Let us live according to the will of Jesus Christ, our Savior and our King. Let us bow every thought, word and deed to His will and His ways. So that in all things You might be glorified with the greatest glory. Amen.
