October 24 / I Peter 3:13-22

I Peter 3:13-22

Somehow I got distracted and completely forgot to post yesterday – really surprisingly, in fact, because I had already put together some comments in my mind. So, a day late…

…having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. (v. 16) I was intrigued by people being “put to shame” by a Christian’s good behavior. It’s similar to what I said a few days ago, that “bystanders are … put to silence as they see you doing good”. But I guess I don’t often see good behavior being much honored (certainly, not enough) in our society. And I certainly don’t see people feeling ashamed when they have railed out against someone. They often seem to just pour it on all the more. But maybe it’s more internal than external. Maybe that “reviler” feels shame inside, yet maintains his/her unchanged external behavior.

For Christ … , being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, … went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison… (vv. 18-19) This verse has always confused me. I’ve thought maybe this verse is referring to what we say in the Nicene Creed every Sunday, “He descended to the dead” (or “into hell”). And that might make sense, but then Peter goes on to talk about Noah and the flood and God’s patience. And I am left more confused!

Finally, For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil. (v. 17) It sounds like Peter is saying that our suffering for doing good is God’s will for us. But we regularly pray, “Your will be done”, and not just in the Lord’s prayer, but in our everyday life and in our decisions. And even when this election is over next week, when either Trump or Biden is declared the winner, half of America will cheer and the other half will mourn. And many Christians in that latter half will say that we/they are trusting that our suffering through this outcome for the next four years must be God’s will for our country. And the Christian “winners” will say the same thing, “God has spoken, His will be done!!”