Witnessing in Suffering

KEY VERSE: “It is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.” —I.–Peter 3:17

SELECTED SCRIPTURE: I Peter 3:13-18; 4:1, 2, 7-11

THOSE WHO HAVE been called by God to follow in the footsteps of Jesus know that they must share in his sufferings. The Scriptures are very clear on this matter. (II Tim. 2:12; I Pet. 4:1,2) In appreciation for having been called out of darkness into his marvelous light, we are to show forth the praises of God. (I Pet. 2:9) In our lesson this witnessing is described as being ready with “a reason for the hope that is in you.” (I Pet. 3:15) This defense of our position is to be done boldly, yet with “meekness and fear.” However, as witnesses of an unseen Master, and a future kingdom, we are certain to be misunderstood.

Under the difficult circumstances of our witness, the conduct of the Christian must never be that of “rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing.” (I Pet. 3:9) But, rather, we must follow our Lord Jesus Christ’s perfect example, and be content to “suffer for righteousness’ sake.” (vs. 14) Our conduct must be the best possible witness to the people of the world, so that those who revile our good behavior in Christ will be “put to shame,” or have no real reason to disparage us.—vs. 16

This behavior which we should adopt is no more than what Jesus manifested when upon earth. As the Apostle Peter said, “Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit.” (I Pet. 3:18) The wording in the King James Version of this text may not be too clear. Christ’s sufferings are not to be thought as those caused by sins that he had. On the contrary, it is as Paul expressed in I Corinthians 15:3, “Christ died for our sins.” Hence, he who was righteous, just, suffered for the unrighteous, unjust.

We can never fully comprehend what this willingness on our Lord’s part to suffer, even unto death on the cross, has made possible for us. In the simple terms of our text, it was to “bring us unto God.” Before our reconciliation with God, we walked according to the prince of the power of the air, the Devil, and were children of wrath, even as others. (Eph. 2:2,3) But now, because of our Lord’s death for our sins, we have become sons of God. “As Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind.” (I Pet. 4:1) If we do this, we will not live to gratify our flesh, but will be glad to suffer with Jesus.

Unfortunately, we cannot expect to do everything perfectly, as Jesus did; but we must try to behave as perfectly as possible, since Jesus is our model. Our mistakes are sure to be called to our attention by worldly people. Hence, some of our suffering may, indeed, be due to our imperfections. But as Peter tells us in the Key Verse of this lesson, “it is better … that [we] suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.” How do we accomplish this?

In Peter’s advice to us he recommended that we pray to the Father for help. God wants us to have unfailing love for one another, as expressed in I Peter 3:8: “Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous.” If we observe his advice, our imperfections or sins will be less noticeable, because our overall, daily attitude will be that of love and selflessness. When we do everything in life with the objective of glorifying God—whether it be hospitality, or service to God, or whatever it is—we will succeed in suffering less for evil doing, and more for righteousness’ sake.

| Home Page | Table of Contents |