'Do not fear... revere Christ as Lord'

Does fear lead you to stand on a solid rock, or to worry about falling down because your foundations have failed?

Social media and the 24–7 news cycle stokes fear. There are fears about the economy, fears about nationalism, fears about immigration, fears about war, fears about new pandemics and so much more.

Peter writes to Christians who have good reason to fear. They were viewed with suspicion, even outright hostility, from their Roman neighbours. They experienced rejection. People accused them of doing wrong. Insults and evil came their way.

Peter has a solution for their fears. He has a solution for your fears.

Jesus Christ is Lord.

'Keep on doing good even if you suffer'

As we reach 1 Peter 3v13 I think Peter is beginning a new section in his letter. His “Finally” in 3v8 brought to an end the “live such good lives” section he started in 2v12. This new section might be summarised as “keep on doing good even if you suffer” (see 4v19).

He starts by saying, “Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?” (3v13). That’s worth thinking about. We can often overestimate the trouble we might face. Many opinion polls show that unbelievers may have negative thoughts about “Christianity” or “The Church” but have very positive views about the actual Christians they know. You might get anxious about negative views towards Christians based on what you see online, but the actual people who you spend time with think you’re a perfectly decent person!

Nevertheless, there are times when you suffer for what is right. Peter says: “You are blessed”. Of course you are! You are suffering with the Saviour who was rejected for you, who was insulted for you, who was mocked and beaten and died for you. To go through these things with Jesus Christ is to follow the path that leads certainly to resurrection, glory and vindication by God the Father.

Jesus Christ is Lord

Now comes his direct command to you: “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened. But in your heart revere Christ as Lord.”

He is quoting Isaiah 8v12–13 and, as is always the case, you must consider the whole context of the original quote. Peter quoted Isaiah 8 earlier (1 Peter 2v8). In Isaiah’s day, the people of Judah were fearful about threats from Aram and Israel. God says that Isaiah and other faithful believers must not fear what others fear, but instead “the LORD Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear”. What is Aram and Israel compared to the living God who controls even the powerful kingdom of Assyria, the true God who will one day become Emmanuel?

Notice how Peter says that Christ is the LORD Almighty of Isaiah 8. The NIV has “revere Christ as Lord” but more literally it is “sanctify” or “set apart Christ as holy”.

Jesus Christ is LORD. In your heart and mind, in your daily life, as you respond to the opinions of others, as you wonder about comments made behind your back, as you doom-scroll through social media, remember that Jesus Christ is LORD. His opinion matters most of all. His decision about your future matters most of all. His verdict on your beliefs and behaviour matters most of all.

Jesus Christ is not one source of authority among many; He does not provide one opinion among many; His verdict on your life is not one among many; “sanctify Christ as holy” means He is supreme, unique, above all. His Word about you silences every other word. He is the first and final Word of God.

So fear Him. And let your others fears diminish.

'Do not fear...'

Isaiah tells believers “do not fear what they fear”. Peter says “do not fear their threats”. Both are true. When the world makes threats, it threatens with the things they fear themselves. The world fears loss of status. We know we are chosen and precious to God. Some fear societal collapse. We belong to the eternal Kingdom of God. People fear pain. We follow the crucified one who has risen. Tyrants use death to threaten. We know the Author of life.

Jesus Himself said, in Matthew 10v28: “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”

What do you fear? Is fear misshaping your obedience to Christ and your commitment to His way? Is fear silencing your witness to the gospel?

Recognise, and be shaped by, the reality that Jesus Christ is LORD.