1 Peter 3:13-18
13 “Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.’ 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.17 For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.”
Revere Christ as Lord: Believers do not make Christ Lord. He is Lord. When we receive Christ as Savior, we also receive Him as Lord because we believe that He can save us and has the authority to save us. This is a recognition of His lordship.
Always be ready: Peter is encouraging believers to be ready to give a reason or a defense of our hope in Christ to all who ask us. This means that our expression of the Gospel is to be to all who engage us. This means that we only tell the Gospel to those who are interested. Notice that Peter is not encouraging Christians to walk out onto the street and be belligerent. This would not be gentle and respectful of unbelievers. Our place is to simply be ready to engage those who engage us.
For Christ also suffered once for sins: Christ’s sacrifice was so perfect that He only needed to die once for all of our sins-past, present and future. When we believe this finished work of Christ cleanses us perfectly. Peter encouraged Christians to suffer for adhering to this reality, and not for doing wrong. Our sins have consequences and when we treat one another poorly, these consequences impact relationships with believers and unbelievers alike. Instead, believers are to love people and be ready to give a reason for this love they possess. If we suffer for believing the Gospel, then we share in Christ’s sufferings who died for our sins. He suffered for being the Son of God in the midst of worldly darkness. Likewise, Christians too will suffer in different ways.
