This post discusses 1 Peter 3:14-15 which is the Scripture cited to support the sixth reason (Trials Show Others that God is Dependable)in Kyle Farran’s article entitled “10 Reasons Why God Entrusts Us with Trials”, Missionary Life, Vol. 67, Issue 1 (2019) [10 Reasons God Entrusts Us With Trials | ABWE]. Kyle writes:
As I go through trials, others are watching. They are watching to see if I respond in faith. Having peace in comfort is normal. Having peace in trials is not. Trials give me an opportunity to speak about the hope that I have. If I complain or have a bad attitude when facing trials, I forfeit my opportunity to speak of the greatness God!
Steve’s comments now follow.
The relevant Scripture is 1 Peter 3:14–15 (NET), which reads:
14 But in fact, if you happen to suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. But do not be terrified of them or be shaken.15 But set Christ apart as Lord in your hearts and always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks about the hope you possess.
1 Peter 3:14–15 (NLT) in the more thought-for-thought translation reads:
14 But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. 15 Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.
The more expansive Wuest translation reads 1 Peter 3:14–15 (WUESTNT)
But if even you should perchance suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are spiritually prosperous ones. Moreover, do not be affected with fear of them by the fear which they strive to inspire in you, neither become agitated, but set apart Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being those who are ready to present a verbal defense to everyone who asks you for a logical explanation concerning the hope which is in all of you,
As I see it, this passage teaches two relevant actions when it comes to addressing trials. First, a believer must take the deliberate step to live in submissive communion woth the Lord Jesus Christ, loving and obeying Hi, Simply put, a believer must submit to Jesus Christ being the Lord (Master) of their life. He is the One who rules over every aspect of their life.
Second, a believer must “always be ready to answer to anyone who asks about the hope you possess.” Wuest uses the phrases “verbal defense” and “logical explanation.” MacArthur (p. 1945) says that a believer must understand what he believes and why one is a Christian, and then be able to articulate those beliefs humbly, thoughtfully, reasonably, and biblically. This mandates that a believer should take the time to think through their salvation experience (event) and the biblical grounds from their faith and trust in God. Then, a believer should take the time to better know how to logically explain the basis for their trust in God and CERTAIN HOPE in their eternal home in heaven.
On a personal note I’m trying to show peace during my trial. My wife Sharon knows that peace is not always my mindset. I have my ups and downs. I aim to lessen the ups and downs and become steadfast more of the time. I want to display a steady faith in my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and to be able to make a competent presentation about why I have peace (or try to have peace) in the storms of my trial.
I hope what I write is helpful to the reader.
IF YOU ARE UNSURE ABOUT YOUR SALVATION
If you are unsure about your salvation, you need to check out my book The Salvation Meter: Biblical Self-Diagnostic Tests to Examine Your Salvation and Spiritual Growth (book link at Xulon Press: https://www.xulonpress.com/bookstore/bookdetail.php?PB_ISBN=9781662828638 ). At Amazon the book link is https://www.amazon.com/Salavation-Meter-Biblical-Self-Diagnostic-Spiritual/dp/1662828632 . I also have a website in which I am updating the content in the book. The link to my website for the book is https://thesalvationmeter.com .
IF YOU ARE NOT A CHRISTIAN
… please (1) read through “God’s Plan of Salvation” so you can understand what God did for you through His only unique Son, Jesus Christ, and (2), from the bottom of your heart, pray the “Sinner’s Prayer” meaning every word. If you do, you will be reconciled to God – saved – through Jesus Christ.
God’s Plan of Salvation
In the beginning, God, who is holy, created the entire universe. As a part of His creative actions, He made humans (male and female) in His image to know Him. For a while, everything was right between God and our ancestors, Adam and Eve. But Adam and Eve sinned, whereby sin was passed down to all of humankind so that we became sinners separated from God. Nothing we could do on our own could bridge that separation so that without God’s intervention, hell would be our eternal destination.
Fortunately for us, in His great love and mercy God provided humankind with the only means of salvation, which is through Jesus Christ who is God’s only unique Son. While retaining His deity, God the Son became a man in Jesus, lived a perfect life, and died a substitutionary atoning death on the cross, thus fulfilling the law Himself and taking on Himself the punishment for the sins of all those who would ever repent and trust in Him for their salvation. Jesus rose from the dead, showing that God the Father accepted Christ’s sacrifice and exhausted God’s wrath against every believer. He now calls all unbelievers to repent of their sins and trust alone in what Christ did to save them.
If we repent of our sins and completely trust in Christ alone that He died for our sins and rose to life from the dead, we are born again into a new life, an eternal life with God.
Scripture References: Genesis 1:1, 26, 31; Habakkuk 1:13; Genesis 2:7-25; Genesis 3:1-7, 22-24; Isaiah 59:2; Romans 3:19-20, 23; 5:17-19; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 6:23; John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Colossians 1:15; 2:9; Matthew 1:18, 20, 24-25; Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 2:24; Hebrews 2:17; 9:25-26; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 1 John 4:10; John 3:16-18; Mark 1:15; Acts 17:30; 26:20; Romans 1:4; 4:25; John 3:5-8; 1 Peter 1:3.
“Sinner’s Prayer”
Lord, Jesus Christ, the only unique Son of God, thank You for Your free gift of eternal life. I know I’m a sinner who cannot save myself no matter what I do, and I deserve to spend eternity in hell. But, I know that because You loved me so much, You voluntarily died on the cross for me taking my sins upon Yourself, and You physically bodily rose from the grave showing that Your sacrificial death was sufficient payment to give me eternal life in Heaven. I now repent of my sins and completely trust alone in what You did for my eternal salvation. Please take control of my life as I now receive You as my Lord and Savior. Thank You so much for saving me. I am now Yours forever!
(Scripture references: John 1:1-4, 11-14; John 3:16; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 3:21-26; Isaiah 53:4-6; Mark 1:15; Acts 16:31; Acts 4:12; Romans 10:9-10, 13; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; John 10:27-29).
RESOURCES
NET Bible, Full Notes Edition (1996, 2019), Biblical Studies Press, LLC
NIV Cultural Background Study Bible, (2016), Zondervan, Grand Rapids, MI
ESV Study Bible, (2008), Crossway Bibles, Wheaton, IL
The MacArthur Study Bible, (1997), Thomas Nelson, Nashville, TN
The NIV Study Bible, (1985), Zondervan, Grand Rapids, MI
ESV Thompson Chain Reference Bible, (2016), Zondervan, MI
Expositor’s Study Bible, Crossfire Edition, (2013), Jimmy Swaggert Ministries, Baton Rouge, LA
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