Suffering yet again

1 Peter 3:13-17

13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil.

• Why is Peter dwelling on suffering?
  
• How does this epistle go against the flow of "good-time gospel"?
  
• How is this epistle good news?
  
• Who is there to harm you if you are trying to do good?
  
• Who or what do you fear that keeps you from doing right?
  
• Who or what intimidates you and troubles your Christian walk?
  
• Why is it important to clearly recognize Christ as your Lord in your heart?
  
• What does it mean to have a Lord and Master?
  
• Who is competing for lordship of your heart?
  
• How are you as a Christian supposed to act when challenged about your life?
  
• How ready are you to defend the hope that you have?
  
• How ready are you to be gentle and reverent in your defense?
  
• How does your behavior in Christ put those who intimidate you to shame?
  
• If it is God's will that you suffer, what should be the reasons?
  
• How have you suffered for Christ's sake in the past week?
  
• What "questionable" enjoyment have you given up for Christ's sake?
  
• When have you left your comfort zone to do right?

Submission to human institutions

1 Pe 2:13-17

13 Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, [1] whether it be to the emperor [2] as supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants [3] of God. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

Footnotes
[1] 2:13 Or every institution ordained for people
[2] 2:13 Or king; also verse 17
[3] 2:16 Greek bondservants

• After saying that Christians are a Holy Nation, Aliens, and otherwise special people, why does Peter stress submission to human institutions?
  - For who's sake are Christians to submit?
  - Which human institutions are included?
  
• Earlier in the book Peter recognized the suffering and trials his readers have endured, very likely at the hands of human authorities.
  - Why should the readers submit to those who are trying them?
  - Why is it important for Christians to obey the law of the land?
  - Ideally, what are human authorities supposed to do?
  
• What is a Christian responsible for doing?
  - Why should a Christian strive do right and not evil?
  - How might a Christian use their freedom to as a covering for evil?
  - Is it ever right to lie or be dishonest in order to do good?
  
• What did it mean to be a bondservant?
  - How can Christians be both bondservants and free?
  
• Why does God want you to ...
  - honor all men
  - love the brotherhood
  - fear Him
  - honor earthly leaders (kings, etc)
  
  

And in conclusion...

Eccles. 12:13-14

13 The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. [1] 14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, with [2] every secret thing, whether good or evil.

Footnotes
[1] 12:13 Or the duty of all mankind
[2] 12:14 Or into the judgment on

• What had Solomon tried in his quest for meaning in his life under the sun?
  
• What do you see as Solomon's appraisal of life under the sun?
  
• From what source should a person look for happiness under the sun?
  
• What conclusion did Solomon reach at the end of his quest?
  
• How do you feel about his conclusion?
  - Where is your happiness in this conclusion?
  - What happiness is there in being afraid?
  - What happiness is there in being obedient to a bunch of restrictive rules?
  
• Where in the New Testament is the warning about every act being judged basically repeated?
  
• How often do you need to remember this warning in order to be more obedient?
  

Peace of Christ

John 14:27

27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

• Where does the peace of Christ come from?
• When Jesus talks about the world here, is he talking about the world's peace or the world's giving?
• What troubles your heart most frequently?
• What causes you to be afraid most frequently?
• How does the peace of Christ rule your fears and troubles?

Harold's Musings:
Sounds good, doesn't it? Peace. Jesus states that he is leaving peace behind and he is giving it to his followers. Like I said, it sounds good. It is good, but it may not be what I think it is. Jesus states that I have to deal with the troubled and afraid heart. He promises peace, real peace, permanent peace, eternal peace. My human nature wants peace here and now. I want to be untroubled and unafraid now and without effort. Peace is not found in a bottle or pill. Peace is found in our hope of eternal life. When I focus on the waiting inheritance and not on the stuff of the here and now, I can have peace.

Work Hard for the Lord

Col. 3:22-25

22 Slaves, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. 25 For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.

• How fearful are you about your job?
  
• What would mere eye-service look like where you work?
• What would working for the Lord, not men, look like at your job?
• How often are you aware that you are working for Jesus and not your employer?
• What reward do you expect from your employer? How long will it last?
• What reward do you expect from Jesus? How long will it last?
• Why is the passage about doing wrong follow working for the Lord?

Harold's Musings:
Most of my worries are work related. I'm not really afraid of losing my job or anything like that. I'm afraid of not doing a good job or at least the best I can. Too often I think I work for myself, not Jesus. I am more concerned about how I think I did on a project than how Jesus thinks I did. Perhaps I am the "people" I am trying to please. It is so easy to lose sight of the presence of Jesus in my day-to-day stuff. Michael said in his comment yesterday: Worry is easy, prayer is hard. I don't find prayer so hard when I remember the presence of God. I do find that to be harder than it should be. Maybe that is why He says we are to seek Him.

Do you have a reason?

1 Peter 3:13-16

13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.

• How zealous are you for what is good?
  
• When you are attacked and suffering, how can you not be afraid and troubled?
  
• What does it mean to "in your hearts honor Christ the Lord"? How would this be evidenced?
  
• Is the hope that is in you evident to others around you? If so, how? If not, why not?
• How would you give a reason for the hope you have?
  
• How prepared are you today to make a gentle, respectful defense of your life in Christ?
  
• Why should you be careful in how you discuss Christ with non-Christians?
• How might your response to attacks put your attackers to shame?

Comments:
It is interesting to me how I have heard this passage slashed about over the years. To some, the word defense means to debate, argue, quarrel, or just get angry. Yet the passage ends with the attacker being ashamed for their actions, not licking their wounds. Somehow our desire to do good because Christ is our Lord is to be motivated by the hope that we have. That is the core reason. We are not doing good just to do good. We are doing good because of the hope we have. Isn't that what the passage shows when you read it carefully. My fears are frequently attached to momentary hopelessness. I'm afraid I'm going to miss a plane because there is liitle or no hope of making it to the gate on time. This connection between fear and hope needs to be considered more. I suspect our non-gentle responses are motivated by fear. What do you think?