SANCTIFY… BE READY. 1st Peter 3:15-17
Sanctify Christ as Lord: when fear comes, “sanctify” (treat Him as holy and sacred) the Lord as the One who is in control of our lives and the events that are going on. We must give Him the throne in our hearts. Then we are ready to give a clear defense of our hope that motivates us to endure whatever comes upon us. Answer charges with the truth, and use the opportunity to witness for Christ. Winning people is our objective, and making sure we represent the truth of God well. When we sanctify the Lord God in our hearts, we reverence Him as Sovereign. The Lordship of Christ should dominate every area of our lives. In times of persecution, make a good confession; always be ready.
Believers know that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Lord of the universe and controls all things, so we should acknowledge His eternal holiness in our hearts. We need to have sensible, rational answers for those who make false accusations, ask foolish questions, or are earnest seekers. We need to be sure that what we say in reply is given with the right attitude, is controlled by the Holy Spirit, and is true to the word of God.
I will have nothing to say to others if I don’t listen to what the Lord God says to me. My heart has to be set apart for Him before I can answer questions carefully, sensibly, and logically. To speak for God means speaking the truth from the heart. It has to be said responsibly. When I have taken time to take in what He says, then listeners will see spiritual things. When the Lord is sanctified within, then there will be evidence of it without. When I can express my hope with meekness, I will never have to shout or argue. The respect one has for holy things can be seen in how I go about my daily routine and the work I do, and in what I testify to, which then carries some clout.
Meekness (humility) when we speak to others, and fear (reverence) toward God with gratitude for what He has done, characterize one who is filled with the Holy Spirit during a time of testing of their faith. That inner commitment to our Lord Jesus Christ will keep us from being speechless when we need to defend the faith. Being ready requires knowledge of God’s word.
I don’t know when an opportunity arises until I am already in the situation. I won’t have time to review God’s truth when I am already in a conversation. So being ready involves taking time to learn the doctrines of salvation. That will only really have an effect when I have chosen daily sanctification.
I have a question: can you tell me why that lady over there seems to let so many of the things he says to her go by? Most would never defer to him! He’s asking unreasonable things, but she’s making understandable to him the value of her saving faith in the Savior she loves.
He will sometimes have to confess that her faith in the living God is so real that he can’t deny there is a Lord who rules over the affairs of men, knowing how and where and when we live and move and breathe by Him. She wins him by her modesty, and then he, too, believes.
A believer’s hope is not merely optimism but the assurance that our future destiny rests on God’s word and God’s love, which the Holy Spirit makes real to us. “Meekness and fear” may be better described as gentleness and respect in the modern mind. That attitude toward others should always be expressed in gracious words and a spirit of love, never in a degrading manner. A personal testimony relating to our life and convictions carries weight that is not so easily accepted when it is simply an explanation of a truth.
The places we work, at home or school; where answers are needed as to why we do the things we do and the way we act: these all bring into the open facts that are unexplained until an answer is given, “We live our lives for the Lord in heaven.” Our work is for Him in the first place; then we do our best in this workplace, where the way we work, how long, and how hard all reflect on our gracious Lord. It may be at the break, or on the way home; the question is asked of you, “How come...?” And your chance has arrived, the one you have been praying for, and you tell of your hope to him once more. Use your words with respect and meekness; they may be used by God for the one you speak to, to bring to life and fan the flame that will bring more glory to His holy name.
It is right for us to be ready to give an answer to those who want to know about our faith. But it is also important that we do so in the right way, with the right attitude. A respectful, calm answer from one who has truly acknowledged the Lord God as the One who is in control of our lives is what is expected from one who has sanctified Him in our hearts. The logical "answer" (apologia; apologetic) doesn't happen by wishful thinking but by careful learning from the scriptures. An unbeliever usually acts and reacts without evidence of knowledge and faith. The gentleness and respect of a Christian who offers a sensible, biblical answer about their personal faith and hope lend weight to a genuine concern for the questioning person's welfare.
Meekness and a good conscience go together and enable us to discern what is good. We may not be able to keep from being slandered by those who speak falsely, but by good behavior, we are helped to avoid anything that would dishonor our Lord. A good conscience and commitment to righteousness put the words of malicious gossip in a bad light. God's permissive will may allow the suffering that comes from unjust accusations. He sometimes has a purpose behind the "deep waters" we are called to pass through. He knows what is needed, even if it means our discomfort and suffering, because He knows the "big picture."
When an active conscience in our attitude toward others is paired with gentleness and respect, we can evaluate the best way to respond to a question, express what is right, and avoid being negatively affected by slander and false accusations. “Good conduct in Christ” means acting like our Lord. When we are like Him, it annoys people because it puts them “to shame.” The good behavior, respectful attitude, and sensible responses of a believer are the best defense against loud accusations, innuendo, and evil speaking that may arise from a consistent Christian testimony.
Among the believers, there will always be some with questions. Some may seem simple or silly to you, but to a new saint’s desire to know the truth, the quest to find the answer that’s right is evidence that new life is in them. They deserve some time and serious thought, so they can be content with the answer they sought. Take time to pray that “God only wise” will give you the light that the questioners need. It has to be found in the scriptures of truth, so the answer you give has God at its root.
When all that we find is then said and done, the answer we give needs to be the right one. The time may come when the answer you gave, through them, may be the one that will save the person they answer, turning them from sin’s dark night and bring that soul into God’s clear light. I believe they have a right to a sensible answer. Help me to give it at the right time.
A good conscience is required of us; others will be ashamed by their false accusations. Keep a good conscience: meekness and a good conscience go together. Our conscience will enable us to correctly evaluate whether something is right or wrong and to avoid being swayed by slanderous opposition. A good conscience may not change the situation in which a believer is suffering, but it helps us to avoid anything that will dishonor the Lord.
When believers suffer, we need to ensure that our suffering is for faithfulness to the Lord rather than for any wrong we have done. Those who suffer for doing good receive a blessing; those who suffer for evil are getting what they deserve. Therefore, we are to accept persecution for righteousness' sake with patience, but be sure to avoid any situation, saying any words, or doing anything that would bring reproach and dishonor to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Verse 17 effectively summarizes what Peter wrote in chapter 2:15; 19-20. Unjust suffering is commendable, and the best defense against it is good behavior. In such times, a believer will likely experience a heightened awareness of God’s presence. Undeserved suffering finds favor with God when it demonstrates God’s grace, mercy, love, and forgiveness. There is no credit, nothing good, in suffering for doing wrong.
Good conscience and good conversation really go together. It is quite hard to have one without affecting the other, because one is without and the other is within. Conscience involves knowing; the inward things I may think. Conversation involves doing; the actions my thoughts will bring. If the conversation gets careless and goes off on its own and sins, conscience works hard to stop it and keep it from doing more wrong.
A seared or dead conscience leaves conversation without any guide. A conversation out of control leaves conscience nowhere to hide. When conscience is awakened and again acts to take control, conversation gets back on track and carries out the work of the soul. When conscience and conversation are both working well, the soul and spirit are used to convey God’s message. And those around who oppose you with dark and evil intent are powerless and ashamed at the lies they have sent to others. In humility, “conversation,” that is, the way I live my life, to God alone is all the glory for victories in life. Conscience within stirs soul and spirit from themselves to rise and, with heart and voice, to give God all honor and glory and praise.
Two who work well together will always bring results. Sometimes they’ll receive praise; other times, unfair insults. But whatever the results may be, I must be sure of this one thing: doing evil is never an option, no matter what the results bring. God has not given assurance that everything allowed brings pleasure. Sometimes difficulties arise, bringing unwarranted suffering. The Lord Jesus always did God’s will, and the cost of suffering for sin was very high. I, too, if I follow His example, will know that evil is near, and suffering will come.
If suffering comes unexpectedly, and surely this will happen, my responsibility is to be sure my conscience is always sharpened. So, only well-doing is the cause for suffering to occur, and evil doing has no part in the suffering I might endure. There really is no honest excuse if I suffer for the evil I do. That is to be expected if I am not always true to God’s will. Far better to suffer for doing right, when everyone else chooses wrong. Suffering for well-doing is far better, and that suffering makes me strong.
I must seek to maintain my integrity even in the face of pain. To avoid suffering for righteousness’ sake is only a foolish gain. I must expect that if I am living for Christ, there will be false accusations. But “the better” results in suffering are personal consecration.