SCRIPTURE | 1 Peter 3:13-14 ¹³And who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? ¹⁴But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed.

OBSERVATION | In our last study, we learned of the “if” condition applied to this teaching. That this is directed at those who have been making themselves “zealous good doers.” It is for those who are growing in sanctification, which is intentional holy living, to the glory of God. So, if you are in the pursuit of holiness, God’s Word asks “who is there to harm you,” or more literally “who is going to be the evil doer to you if you have been making yourself a zealous good doer.”

“Those who do evil” was just in contrast with those who “do good” in the previous verses. (1 Pt 3:11-12) So now, the question being asked is something like “what evil doer will do evil to you if you are growing yourself as a zealously doer of good?” This is not saying we will not suffer or be wronged if we are this kind of people. For verse 14 teaches of the reality if we do “suffer for the sake of righteousness.” Instead, there is a general truth being taught here that it is both right and ought to be normal, that wrong doers should suffer wrong and good doers should not. Especially then it would seem to be true of those who are zealous good doers.

Romans 13 teaches us this same general principle regarding our submission to all in authority over us, a submission which itself is to be rebelled against in whatever way it causes us to live outside of the path of biblical righteousness. We are taught that when someone does evil they ought to be afraid of those in authority, those that bear the sword, which is the wrath God has given to the government. (Romans 13:3-4) Doing good should not cause us fear of punishment, but only doing evil should. That is a general truth and this is true justice.

“Should” and “should not” are the key words. In other words, this is general truth of the way it ought to be. Today our government and our culture are absolutely lawless. Such lawlessness is even within the so-called church, as many do all that they can to “justify the wicked,” and in turn also “condemn the righteous,” who will call wickedness what it is. Proverbs 17:15 tells us those who do such things are an abomination (a worded rooted in vomiting) to the Lord. So, we see how putrid the lawlessness of our age and of the modern church is to the Sovereign Lord and King. Yet, that is the age we live in.

So that today if we are “making our selves zealous good doers” it is actually more than likely we will suffer. So too, Jesus teaches of such a reality. In John 15:19 he says“If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.” (see also Matt 10:22 ; Lk 21:16–19) The point of our verse of study however, is this ought not to be this way. This is not justice.

After teaching this general truth (that we should not suffer evil for making ourselves zealous good doers), the reality we live in today is addressed. “But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed.” That is, if you do what is right, according to God’s Word, which is sufficient for all of life and godliness, and you a wronged for doing what is right according to God, then you are blessed.

Like, if God commanded us all to wear silly pink hats, and we were mocked, scorned and even physically beaten for it. Say we wore those silly pink hats and the church said the command to do so “is just cultural” or “is a gray area” or “is a secondary” or “a tertiary issue” or “God does not care about your outward appearance, but he just cares about the heart.” Yet, if God commanded it so, that command comes with His full authority and according to scripture it was written for our instruction. (2 Tim 3:15-16) Such excuses of the church today are the twisting of the Word of God and is done so to embrace disobedience, when such obedience would be extremely difficult and offensive to our culture.

Back to our text. “But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness.” This means, whatever we are doing it is what is “right” according to the full sufficiency of God’s Word. That is, His Word speaks to all of life and faith, and is to be sought for directing all of our life and faith exclusively. Living accordingly to God’s Word, this way is righteousness. When we live in such a way, we will suffer for it.

If this happens to you, God says, “you are blessed.” What does it mean to be blessed? We will expound on this in our next study. For now, let it be an encouragement and promise from the Lord to spur you on in zeal as you pursue righteousness and holiness in the face of those who will cause you harm and do evil to you for it.

APPLICATION | Am I actively seeking to live my life according to the all sufficient Word of God? Am I seeking to conform to the image of Christ, as my Savior and Lord? Or do I shrink back from obedience that I fear would cause me to be opposed by others? Am I willing to suffer, both the ridicule and ill treatment of my family and my friends to be obedient to God’s will and ways? Do I look for understandings of scripture that get me out of needing to feel awkward and suffer? Do I look for understandings of scripture that soften the commands of God in order to make it easier to live like those around me?

Beginning today, be zealous to make yourself a good doer, no matter what harm and suffering the world and even the church will cause you. Seek righteousness in your day to day life, not to become right with God, but if you know you are right with God, through Jesus Christ, by His grace. Let your sanctification be pursuing holiness, and let it flow out of your justification, your position as a fully forgiven child of God. Live for His pleasure, because you know He is your Father, whom you love.

PRAYER | Dear heavenly Father, my deepest longing is to live in a way that moment by moment shows my love for You. To live out my life of freely given salvation, with fear and trembling. (Phil 2:12) And yet to live with a fearless and courageous zeal for righteousness no matter the level of opposition the lawless culture and lawless church confront me with. Father create this bold passion in me so that You will receive the praise of my godly life. So that I might live for Your glory alone. Amen.