Studies in First Peter Part 20
“15But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; 16and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame. 17For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong” (I Peter 3:15-17).
Starting back in chapter 2 and continuing through these verses, Peter is laying out what “excellent behavior” (I Peter 2:12) looks like in various situations. He writes about our reputation with outsiders, submitting to human authority, silencing ignorant and foolish critics, using our freedom for good, following Jesus’ example of suffering and not returning evil for evil, submitting to each other in marriage, living harmoniously in the body, and suffering without fear.
He wraps up this topic with these thoughts. Recognize “Christ as Lord” in your new heart. This is His new home. He is in you. He is on the throne and your old master sin has been kicked to the curb. When you live in this reality, folks will see a hope in you that is supernatural. Be prepared to explain where this hope comes from.
Here is an observation from my own life about how this works. I used to feel uneasy about this verse, like I had to have some sort of apologetics answer ready about Jesus. Some textbook iron-clad proof for who Jesus is. Some intellectual defense of the gospel. It really was unrelated to what was in me personally. After all, what was in me was a lot of confusion. I was more comfortable talking about who I wanted to be instead of who I was. Who would want to know or who would be blessed by the confusion in me?
But now, basking in the grace of God, I am eager to talk about the hope in me because it is REAL. Not only is it real, but it is life-giving, joyful, and powerful. All that Christ has promised in the new covenant is not just someone I would like to be in the future, it is who I am NOW. There is no pride in sharing that truth, only gratitude for the grace of God. And I have seen this ease in talking about the real experience of the grace of God in my grace-captured friends as well.
Your good behavior not only shines a light on Jesus, but it puts your slanderers to shame. Slandering you for doing good is the best they can come up with? If suffering for your behavior is coming your way, it is better to be for righteousness. “Your good behavior in Christ” is not legalism, it is the righteousness of Christ being expressed through you!