OUR RELATIONSHIP TO ONE ANOTHER

I Peter 3:8-22

  1. characteristics and attitudes that Christians should possess - 3:8
    1. believers should be of one mind
      1. to be in agreement on the doctrines of the faith and the Gospel
      2. we can have our differences in other things, but we should be like minded when it comes to our faith
      3. there is but one Bible, one Holy Spirit, one Lord Jesus Christ, one faith
      4. Peter is calling for unity, not uniformity
    2. believers should have compassion for one another
      1. sympathizing with each other, both in prosperity and adversity (laughing and crying together)
      2. because of our relationship to each other, as members of the same body
    3. believers should love as brethren
      1. in a spiritual relation, being children of God, and brethren of Christ
      2. this love to each other ought to be universal, fervent, without pretense
      3. shows itself in praying for each other, in bearing one another's burdens, in forgiving each other
      4. evidence of regeneration; the glory and ornament of a good profession
      5. without this our profession is nothing
      6. this is something that we need more of in our churches
    4. believers should be "pitiful"
      1. tender-hearted, full of compassion
      2. problem: we have lost our concern for others within the church because of our busy life styles
    5. believers ought to be "courteous"
      1. to have a friendly mindset, humility
      2. humility is an important Christian virtue
      3. not proud, haughty, or overbearing
  2. how these characteristics are manifested - 3:9
    1. to bear evils patiently [not rendering evil for evil]
      1. the natural tendency is to strike back when struck
      2. to retaliate is not the biblical answer, but to give a blessing is
    2. to bless our enemies [but contrariwise blessing]
    3. these actions bring the blessings of God upon us [inherit a blessing]
    4. to render evil for evil. Or railing for railing is a sinful unchristian practice
      1. "railing" means to speak in bitter, fierce and reproachful terms
      2. to preach earnestly against the sins of our times, is not railing
      3. our duty as Christians is to pity, pray for, and love those who rail on us
  3. a prescription for a comfortable and happy life in an ill-natured world - 3:10-13
    1. the life that can be achieved [love life, and see good days] - 10
      1. does not mean a long life
      2. means a life that is fruitful and worthwhile, a life that brings satisfaction and joy
      3. it does not mean that we will be free from problems and troubles
      4. they will be days in which we have experienced God’s help and blessings
      5. being able to look back on life and say that it was a good life [love life]
      6. being able to look into the future with great expectations [see good days]
    2. refrain from evil and deceitful speaking
      1. evil expressions are usually meant to harm another person
      2. expressions of deceit are usually meant to mislead someone
      3. many of the problems of life are caused by wrong words, spoken in the wrong spirit
    3. we must do good and hate evil - 11
      1. "eschew" means to avoid something because we despise and loathe it
      2. it is not enough for us to avoid sin because sin is wrong
      3. we should avoid sin because we hate sin
      4. wrong deeds are usually the result of planning and a deliberate choice
      5. instead of planning to do evil, we must plan to do that which is good
    4. we must seek an pursue peace - 11
      1. if we go out and seek trouble, we will find it; but if we seek peace we can find it as well
      2. this does not mean "peace at any cost" because righteousness must always be the basis for peace
      3. peace does not come automatically, it takes hard work
      4. we are not of this world, so our actions should be different
    5. why the Christian should practice this good and peaceful behavior - 12
      1. the Lord is aware of all that takes place in the life of a believer
      2. when our enemies seek to take advantage of us, be assured that God’s eyes are upon His people and His ears are open to their prayers
      3. we must trust God to protect and provide, because He alone can defeat our enemies
      4. God’s face is against evildoers, and His punishment will fall upon them
    6. this behavior will prevent much persecution for the faith - 13
  4. suffering for Christ - 3:14-17
    1. Peter is not denying the possibility that a Christian may suffer or even die for his faith - 14
      1. all people have times of suffering, Christians need to make sure that they suffer for the right reason
      2. to suffer for righteousness sake is the honor and happiness of a Christian
      3. how can it be that a believer who suffers, ought to be happy
        1. "happy" does not mean delight or joy
        2. it means to consider ourselves highly privileged because we are the objects of divine favor
        3. a satisfaction that comes from God, and is not dependent on favorable circumstances
    2. the behavior of those being persecuted
      1. be not afraid - 14
        1. our enemies are God’s enemies
        2. they are the objects of His curse, and they can do nothing to us except by His permission
      2. rather than being afraid, sanctify the Lord God in your hearts - 15
        1. when we rely on His power, and trust in His faithfulness
        2. when we submit to His wisdom, and imitate His holiness
        3. a sense of divine perfection is the best antidote against the fear of suffering
        4. the more we fear God, the less we will fear man
      3. always be ready to give a reason for our hope - 15
        1. there is good reason for the hope and faith of a Christian
          1. the Bible does not seek a blind trust
          2. many statements in the Bible are above reason, but none are against reason
          3. God’s continual appeal is, "Come, let us reason together, saith the Lord"
          4. the Bible has nothing to fear from the exercise of our reason
          5. reason must never take the place of faith
        2. every believer is responsible for having a reason ready for their faith
          1. based on experience
          2. the study of evidence
          3. fulfilled prophecy
          4. the Holy Spirit dwelling within
        3. the defense of our faith ought to be done with meekness and fear
          1. an arrogant attitude will turn people away from us
          2. we may not agree with other men’s beliefs, but we ought to approach them carefully
            1. they are convinced that they are right
            2. we will never reach them by running over their feelings
            3. it is the conviction of the Holy Spirit, not our condemnation, that wins them
      4. have a good conscience - 16-17
        1. the conscience is that internal judge that witnesses to us(approving or accusing)
          1. a "seared conscience" is one that is no longer sensitive to what is right and wrong
          2. an "evil conscience" is one that is so poisoned that it calls bad things good and good things bad
        2. conscience depends on knowledge
          1. as a believer studies the Bible, his conscience will become more sensitive to right and wrong
          2. a "good conscience" is one that accuses when we think of doing wrong
          3. it takes spiritual food to keep the conscience strong and pure
          4. conscience is a safe guide only when the Word of God is the teacher
        3. how a good conscience helps a believer in times of trial and opposition
          1. gives courage because we know that we are right with God and man
          2. it gives us peace (when we have peace within, we can face battles without)
          3. remove the fear of what others may know about us, say against us, or do to us
        4. if we are to maintain a good conscience we must deal with sin in our life
        5. a good conscience is the result of obedience based on knowledge
        6. a good conscience makes for a strong Christian witness to the lost
        7. no Christian should ever suffer because of evil doing -17
        8. no Christian should be surprised when he suffers for well-doing
          1. when a good man suffers, God intends for good to come from it
          2. nominal Christians and the world keep an easy truce of mutual toleration
          3. true Christians break the comfortable truce with the worldling
          4. the true Christian imposes his values where they are not wanted
        9. other things to learn
          1. even the best people cannot escape the slander of evil men
          2. a good conscience and a good conversation are the best way to secure a good name
          3. false accusations will usually end in the shame of the accuser
          4. it is sometimes the will of God that good people should suffer for well doing
  5. the example of Christ - 3:18-22
    1. the historical facts - 18
    2. preaching the victory to those who where waiting and watching - 19 (the saved)
      1. "preached" means to proclaim or announce publicly (religious truth)(not the gospel)
      2. "prison" means to keep, a hold, a ward
        1. the act of keeping watch
        2. the place were someone is watched
    3. the long-suffering of Christ - 20
      1. toward those who were saved [which sometime were disobedient]
      2. toward the rebellious and lost [God waited]
    4. having a good conscience - 21
      1. doing what is right [baptism]
      2. made possible by the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ
    5. why we should follow the example of Christ - 22
      1. He is Lord of all, yet He humbled Himself for us
      2. He suffered the wrong, while doing right, in order to save us
      3. cannot we suffer the wrong, while doing right, in order to show our love for Him