Stay Calm and.....

1 Peter 3:13-17 – Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? ¹⁴ But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, ¹⁵ but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, ¹⁶ having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. ¹⁷ For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil. 

There’s no doubt that things in our country have changed significantly. Things that would have only been whispered about in shame have become points of pride in today’s world. It’s remarkable how fast all of this has happened. 

And it would appear that things are only going to accelerate and keep going in the same direction. What’s a Christian to do?

First - Don’t panic. God is still in control. He is still on His throne. He is still sovereign. Nothing has happened that is outside of His divine providence. We won’t always understand all He is doing, but we don’t have to. As for me, I don’t want to serve a God that’s not in complete control. His sovereignty is taught in the Bible over and over, right alongside our responsibility to be obedient. Keep all of that in mind. 

Next - Be saturated in His Word. In His Word, we’ll find all of the answers because His Word points us continually to Him “in whom we live and move and have our being.” There’s nothing new to know. No new “flash of inspiration” that you need in order to handle what’s going on today. 

Focus - Sharpen your focus on Him. In 1 Peter 3:13-17 (above), we have such a clear exhortation for what’s going on today. Let’s walk through it briefly so that you can be blessed by what GOD is doing in HIS world today (the one He placed you in and the time He placed you here). 

ZEAL - be passionate for what you know is good. This doesn’t mean that you’re a jerk about it. That’s easy to be, but be passionate for the truth.

SUFFERING - the Bible promises many times that Christians will suffer. So if that’s coming, so be it. But let it be for the right things, not for being pushy or insensitive or rude. Let it be for passion about righteousness.

HONOR CHRIST - think about this often. Create reminders. Write it on your hand, make it your screensaver, put post-its in your home, car, and office. Always think: “will this honor Christ?” A believer will know the answer. 

BE PREPARED - this is critical. There are many issues facing us today. We must be prepared to discuss them intelligently. First: know the Gospel, for that’s the starting point of everything. Next: be diligent to prepare yourself to discuss these issues and know what the Bible really says about them. So many people have twisted what the Bible really says about things. Many people have a wrong mindset about what it says.

GENTLENESS/RESPECT - Gentleness is one of the fruits of the spirit. It should show itself through respect. If you hold to a Biblical worldview, then you WILL disagree with many people. It’s okay to disagree. Don’t be the one who defines “tolerance” by demonstrating that it only means they tolerate you (it shouldn’t be a one-way street).

GOOD BEHAVIOR - we should not only be ready to proclaim the Gospel, but it should show in all of our deeds. The popular statement “preach the Gospel always, when necessary, use words” needs to be tweaked a bit. It should say “Preach the Gospel always, using both words and deeds.” Be an ambassador for Christ. Let God make His appeal through you (both words and deeds) because if you’re a believer the old has gone and the new has come. You are a new creation and in Him you have the righteousness of Christ. That should be something that everyone you encounter sees.

Now go back and read the passage at the top one more time!

Soli Deo Gloria! (for the glory of God alone!)

Rob

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