Christ Has the Final Word and Victory (2)

Krisdosi gu Badgani Wyr]in Q0sku

1 Peter 3:13-22

According to Peter’s instruction, while facing hostility and intimidation from the world, we should develop a special lifestyle in the following areas.

1. Eager to do good (NIV), Zealous for Good (ESV), follower of that which is Good (KJV) (vs 13)

The word zealous was familiar at that time. The Zealots were radical Jewish fanatics at that time who wanted to organize a revolution against the Romans. The Zealots would do anything possible to reach their goal.

Watch out, we need to be zealous for doing GOOD. Another translation is that we should be the mimicking the Good. This means Jesus Christ is the only example we should imitate. The word or the concept of good is meaningless without Christ.

As we try to do good, we will face suffering, harassment and intimidation.

I saw a TV episode about a very successful lawyer who was nominated to be a judge. Meanwhile she was handling a case where a corrupt judge was giving unjust verdicts towards teenagers. This judge was making money to cover his gambling fees. The nominating politicians asked this lawyer to give up this case. She did not. She did the right thing and she lost her nomination as a judge.

Doing good can be costly, yet it we will be blessed.

Peter said, “But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed.”

Jesus said it best:

“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
      for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:10)

2. Face intimidation without fear. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.”(NIV) “be not afraid of their terror” (KJV) (vs14)

Lately I have been translating 1 Samuel from Hebrew to English. I am astonished by the commitment and love Jonathan has towards David. Jonathan’s father King Saul is a man of power yet full of fear. He is fearful about losing his popularity and eventually his chair and therefore was jealous of David. Saul had the spear in his hand while David had the harp. Peter wants us not to have fear from the terrors of our persecutors.

(Do you know people who always live in fear and suspicion? When you live in fear you are not allowing God to be in charge of your life; fear is in charge of your life.)

Although Saul made and oath to his son Jonathan that he would not harm David, yet in Chapter 19 we see that while David was playing the harp, King Saul’s hand was on the spear. He tried to kill David. What do you have in your hand? The Spear or the Harp?

We will have frightening situations, yet we learn that God is sovereign and in control.

Psalm 37:34 “Wait for the LORD and keep his way.”

3. “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.” (NIV) “Sanctify Christ in your heart.” (KJV) (vs15)

Every day I need to remind myself that Jesus Christ is the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings. Every day I need to remind myself that our Lord is a risen Lord.

Every day I need to remind myself that I am “saved by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.” (21-22)

To set apart my life for Christ means I need to ask Him to be my Lord, my king. It means my lifestyle should reflect that. My priorities, my job, my home, my check book, my music, my care, are under His control. (I surrender all)

You see when Christ is our Lord, we reflect him. He created us. We carry His image. We reflect His image in this broken, dysfunctional world.

PBC pastor Steve Zeisler was telling me an event. Someone from his church got a promotion in his workplace at Stanford and was honored during a reception. This man invited the pastor and some other friends from the church. Pastor Steve was saying he felt they were the only ones who were representing this man’s spiritual life. The pastor was very pleased that this man was not intimidated by inviting his pastor along with the doctors and the scientists. The man was making a point to his colleagues that he belonged to the church.

Listen to what Paul says:

“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,” (15)

-Non-Christians always have questions. Sometimes they have serious ones and sometimes only they like to intimidate us. We need to be ready. That means we need to know our Bible very well. Not just information, but life transformation. We do not need to argue. We need to have eagerness to do the Good, imitate the Good with gentleness and respect.

We can learn from the life of Jesus. We can learn from the life of apostles in the book of Acts.

4. And the fourth one, “keeping a clear conscience” (vs 6)

In other words, our lifestyle should match our words. There is no perfect person. Yes, but this should not give us excuses to live careless lives without Christ as our Lord. Confessing our sins and weaknesses to Christ is important. Humbly asking God to transform us should be our daily prayer. And Peter gives the reason for that: “…so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” (16)

The end of this passage has several verses which are quite tough to understand. Jesus died on the cross and “went and preached to the spirits in prison who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built.” (19-20)

Who are those spirits in prison?

The most popular viewpoint is that Jesus preached to the spirits of all those who for 120 years had rejected Noah’s message on earth. Jesus went to Hades. According to the Jews, Hades is the place where the spirits of dead people will stay, and preached the gospel message to them.

The Second viewpoint is that Jesus’ spirit went again to Hades. He preached the message of victory to those who were fallen angles (sons of God who married women on earth, Gen. 6). The result of this marriage were newborn wicked giants, whom all of them were killed during the flood of Noah. Jesus preached victorious message over demonic powers. (Ephes 4:8-10)

Third view is that, we don’t understand what is going on, but we don’t want to create a major theological point based on these verses. I believe the opportunity to be saved is on this earth and I do not think we should pray for dead souls.

But in the context of our letter, I find that Peter is encouraging the suffering church, saying that Christ is in control. He went even to spirits in prison. Nothing can stop Him from going anywhere and telling them about HIS RESURRECTION and VICTORY over death. Regardless of whether Christ is preaching to people, or spirits in prison, Jesus Christ has the final word; he has victory over sin and evil.

Finally let me summarize:

Focus, be still and wait for the Lord,

We are protected, yet we will face intimidation.

When facing hostility and intimidation from the world,

We should be imitating Jesus, being zealous for doing the Good;

Without FEAR;

Setting apart our hearts to the Christ as Lord;

Keeping a clear conscience and ready to witness through our words and lives about the victorious RISEN Christ, our Lord and Savior

Remember Christ has the final word.

Amen