Goody Goody Questions of Hope

Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 1 Peter 3: 13-16

My immediate thought the question posed in verse 13 is a ‘lot of people!’ but my experience is very different. I have worked most of the past 20 years in the midst of dangerous men and women; murderers, rapist, drug addicts and dealers, thieves and lunatics, mostly without fear. I have not been able to do this because I am brave, but because I believe that if you are good to people they are going to be good to you. There have been exceptions to this general rule, but they are few. I young man I invited into my home stole from me, someone I was compassionate to threatened me. So what! I am blessed. The things that were stolen might have been given away if I were asked. The threats that were made against me were serious enough that I tossed and turned at night and imagined brutally hurting those that wanted to hurt me and my family. However, I came to understand that the perpetrators of these threats were to be pitied more than despised. When I realized this, fear evaporated and I could identify with Christ's suffering. A life lived with eagerness to do good witnesses the depravity of man but focuses on the image of God that is in all people.

The Gospel is received in perception often before it is received in proclamation. Let me explain. Verse 15 tells us to be prepared to answer those that ask. The ‘ask’, often does not come until a life is observed for a period of time. The time of that observation may be long or short. After three years of observing the miracles of Jesus, his dignified death, the earthquake and darkness that covered the earth at his crucifixion, finally at the outpouring of the Holy Spirit Jerusalem asked “what shall we do” It only took the jailer in Philippi one encounter to ask “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” In both cases lives were observed before commitments were made.

The answers given to the people of Jerusalem and to the jailer at Philippi were the same repent or believe and be baptized. Threats of hell were not made but promises of forgiveness, the type of forgiveness that allows you to forgive others. Gentle and respectful promises were made of empowered God filled lives that allows you to keep a clear conscience.

When I was stolen from I knew that was a possibility, when I was threatened I knew that was a possibility too. My clear conscience confirms for me that I would do the same things again. I know that my motives were pure. I realize that malicious speech my follow my attempts live out Christ like love, but a long view is needed. Thieves and violent people often repent when they experience the shame of their false accusation. The accusation will prove false to them as you continue to live as a witness that does good. Your vindication, if you are fortunate, is a friend and co-laborer in a world where together you are ‘eager to do good’.