Pastor Chris’ Corona Quarantine Epistles to the Flock of AIC Ngong Road, in Dispersion and Isolation. 133rd. Edition.
Dear People Who Are Called out of the World,
We return today to the theme of suffering. This is a key theme of this letter and will recur again and again. In today’s passage (1 Peter 3:13-17) the apostle encourages us to shift our focus to God, away from the troubles.
Suffering (vv. 13-14). The general rule of thumb is that doing good is applauded and those who do good should have nothing to fear. But even in the event that we suffer for doing what is right, we should not be troubled or afraid, because God’s blessing is on us. We should instead shift to devotion.
Sanctification (v. 15). Normally, sanctification, which means the setting apart of a person or an animal or an object for specific (holy) use, is used of God sanctifying us, or us sanctifying ourselves. In this case, it is us sanctifying God in our hearts. We cannot make God holy, because he is the standard of holiness. Rather, God is to occupy the most precious, exclusive place in our hearts. At the end of the day, it is we, not God, who will have been sanctified. It is interesting that in this vein, we are instructed to be ready to give a defense to everyone who queries our hope in Christ. This is because winning arguments does not win people.
As the English says, “The proof of the pudding is in the eating.” And to quote the Americans, “Put your money where your mouth is.” Our Godly lives are much more effective than a sound philosophical argument. That is why even our arguments should be delivered “with meekness and fear,” as opposed to pride.
Shame (vv. 16-17). When we live blameless lives and suffer for it, it is not lost on observers, not even our very persecutors, who will be put to shame when every evil thing they have said about us is proved false. Take courage. We win lying down!
Your Loving Pastor Chris.