1 Peter: Set ApartSample

Undeserved Suffering

In 1 Peter 2:11-3:7, we saw that we should live in a way that honors God for the good of our neighbor. This next passage continues that theme. In this passage, Peter encourages believers to love and extend grace to others and seek to do good so that we can inherit a blessing. This blessing is our future inheritance in God’s kingdom.

Peter is not saying that we must work or do good in order to be included in God’s kingdom. That was accomplished through Jesus and what he did for us. But we do see repeatedly throughout the entire New Testament that our lives are to reflect the hope and forgiveness we have received in Jesus. Our works do not earn our salvation, rather they are the evidence of it.

When Peter writes about not being harmed, he isn’t referring to present-day harm. We know, especially in this letter, that Peter writes about the suffering these early Christians were experiencing because of their faith and in spite of the good they were doing. He knows they are being harmed for doing good.

Here Peter is looking to the future and the point of this question is that no one will harm believers ultimately on the day of judgment. He isn’t saying Christians won’t suffer or that suffering is rare. Instead, Peter is ensuring believers that nothing can ultimately harm them if they continue to walk in God’s paths. The pain they and even we experience now is temporary, and followers of Jesus will be vindicated when he returns.

So suffering in our present life is not the result of God punishing us. The disciples (and Jesus himself) suffered because of their faithfulness. And because God desires our good, there will also be times when he may discipline us out of his love for us. God never punishes people in this life from a stance of “how dare you, you are awful” but from a posture of love and care for you. And this is a huge difference!

But in spite of all we might face, there is great news; Christ is victorious over sin and death. Peter encourages these believers that even though they are in the minority numerically in their city in what they believe about God, what is true about Jesus is true regardless of how many people believe it. This shows us that truth and goodness are not relative. It’s true because it is true.

And what is true in this passage is that Jesus has the final word over suffering. We can go to him with our suffering, knowing he loves and cares for us.

Today's reflection

How does knowing Jesus has the final word over suffering, and that the suffering we experience now won’t last forever, give you hope in the difficulties you experience in your life?