Day 353, Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today's Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): 1Peter 2:13–5:14
Persecution—How to Respond to It
In our “be positive” American Christian culture, no one wants to talk about persecution, but let’s be honest—many Christians suffer in this world for their faith in Christ. In fact, Christian radio stations often make pleas for prayer because more Christians are being persecuted for their faith now than at any time in world history.
How? Many suffer false arrests, imprisonment, molestation, or even death. Christian employees are falsely accused, mocked, and fired. Family members are berated, mocked, and disowned for their faith.
Sometimes, we can do nothing about our hardships. Like a baby puts his hand into the hand of his father, we must put our hand into the safe hand of our heavenly Father—he cares for us. However, in today’s Bible reading, the Apostle Peter’s instructions to suffering Jewish believers in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) can also help us deal with persecution.
In our last Bible reading (1Peter 1:1-2:12), Peter encouraged the suffering Jewish believers to focus on the grace they have received in Christ and bear their hurt on his behalf. Instead of isolating themselves to avoid all suffering, they were to be testimonies of lives changed by the grace of God. We should do the same thing.
In today’s Bible study, we are focusing onNine ways God wants us to respond to persecution or reduce it
1. Submit to and respect authorities—be good
Peter instructs his readers to
Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men.
Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.
Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king, (1 Peter 2:13-17, NIV).
“Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?” Peter asks (1Peter 3:13, NIV). If we live honest, respectable lives and are eager to do what is right, there will be “nothing [no accusation] to hang a hat on.” Submitting to authority, being respectful, and doing good deeds usually reduces or eliminates the incidents of civil injustice.
2. Seek lawful justice
If the injustice is an unlawful incident of abuse, those offended should seek justice from the police or through the courts, if possible. An essential function of government is to punish those who do wrong (see the above verses). If justice can be attained through appeals to civil authorities, we should seek their help.
3. Entrust yourselves to God
If we are mistreated because of our Christianity, and there is no lawful recourse, we should entrust ourselves to God. “If you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God” (1Peter 2:20, NIV). Christ also died as the Just One for the unjust ones (us). He was nailed to a cross, although “he committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth” (1Peter 2:22, NIV).
Christ entrusted himself to God, and we should do the same. The Lord sees how we have been mistreated and will reward us for our faithfulness. Perhaps he will even provide a way out of the suffering or, at least, help us bear it.
4. Suffering for other's benefit
Peter said of Christ,
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.
For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls, (1Peter 2:24-25, NIV).
Would we be willing to suffer if other people were attracted to Christ or strengthened in their faith by our example of steadfast faithfulness in persecution? We may never know what a faithful testimony will do. The Bible tells us to “Be faithful unto death and you will receive a crown of life” (James 1:12; Revelation 2:10).
5. Be an excellent example of Christ in the home or at work
What do we do if we have an unbelieving spouse? How can we reduce the mocking and berating of our faith? Peter instructs wives
to be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives, (1 Peter 3:1-2, NIV).This is sometimes a difficult assignment, but it is the only way he will win the Lord.
Peter then instructs husbands “to be considerate of your wives and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers” (1Peter 3:7, NIV).
Every woman wants to be loved, cherished, and treated as an equal partner. If a husband is a godly man who lives in consideration of his wife, she will be attracted to his faith in Christ.
Employees, be submissive to the plans of your employer and supervisor, and don’t argue! Work in cooperation as much as you can. Do excellent work when the boss is looking and when he isn’t. See what needs to be done and then do it, looking out for the company’s best interests.
6. Live peacefully, don't fight.
Finally, Peter instructs all Christians to “live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing” (1 Peter 3:8-9a, NIV). We need each other at all times but especially in times of persecution. “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8, NIV).
7. Prepare for persecution
While we may be able to reduce incidents of abuse, those who live for Christ should expect to suffer. We should “arm” ourselves spiritually for it (1Peter 4:1) and be “ready to give an answer for our faith with gentleness and respect” (1Peter 3:15, NIV).
We don’t like it, but suffering has a purging effect. Christians who suffer come to see what is really important in life. “As a result, he [who experiences suffering] does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God” (1Peter 4:2, NIV).
8. How should persecuted Christians live?
It would be tempting to lay low and just blend into our culture. However, Peter gives us these instructions: “So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good” (1Peter 4:19, NIV).
1 Peter 5 gives instruction to pastors on how they should administer their gifts. They should be eager to care for the sheep in their flock, especially those hurting. “Each [believer] should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms” (1Peter 4:10, NIV).
9. Be alert!
Above all, we should be alert when we are at our weakest and in pain. The devil is looking for believers to devour. Regardless of personal consequences, we must resist him by standing strong in the faith. Others are in the fight with us–we need to stand together.
Discussion
What are three ways God wants us to respond to persecution?
Focus Verse
1Peter 5:10 (NIV) “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study:
My prayer response:
Dear Father in heaven, you are our God and worthy of anything we might suffer. You gave us physical and spiritual life. You gave us forgiveness and peace through Jesus Christ and your Spirit. We praise and worship you. May we share the gospel with others so they can experience you, too. This is your will, and we ask you to help us share the message despite our fears.
Lord, give us courage. This is the daily bread we need, but we also ask that you meet our physical and emotional needs. We need the strength and support you supply.
Forgive us for times we have denied you by failing to ally ourselves with you and cowering in hidden fear. Forgive us for trying to blend in. We don’t wish to embarrass you by being obnoxious with our faith, but serve others, obey the laws, do good deeds, and then whenever appropriate, speak up with gentleness and respect.
Help us also to forgive our persecutors and forgive our brothers and sisters in Christ. Forgiveness and unity are your desires for us. Lead us away from taking revenge for wrongs done against us. We leave all vengeance in your hands.
We give our lives into your hand because you are strong and safe. In Jesus name, we glorify you. Amen
Please send your comments to me
Looking Ahead: Suffering has a purging effect, but we must still exercise care in Preventing a Virus, a spiritual virus. Join us for our Next Lesson in Jude and 2Peter to learn how to do this.
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