KBM A Good Conscience
KBM Impact 3:16 • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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We are continuing our series of lessons on “Impact 3:16 and find ourselves today looking at 1 Peter 3:16. This passage and the previous few are some of my favorite in all the bible. Peter is writing, inspired of God, in 1 Peter 3:8-22 about the reality that every child of God “will face” if they are living a godly life, persecution and suffering (2 Timothy 3:12). It’s within that truth that Peter is trying to encourage Christians.
9 not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.
As Christians, who will suffer persecution, we must not let persecution change us and our pursuit of righteousness. Let’s read 1 Peter 3:13-17
1 Peter 3:13–17 (NKJV)
13 And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; 16 having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. 17 For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
There are going to be times when we teach the truth and others will seek to defame us because of that stance both outside the church and within the church. Why, within the church, because not everyone in the church is willing to accept the truth all the time. That is simply the reality of humanity and as such Peter is reminding those that are seeking to follow the truth and teach the truth how to handle these situations.
We teach the truth in meekness or gentleness with a good conscience so that if others seek to persecute us for that truth it is they who are put to shame not us.
We teach the truth in meekness or gentleness, with a good conscience, so others who know the truth will be more bold in the truth.
We teach the truth in meekness or gentleness, with a good conscience, because it pleases God, whom we should be seeking to put first in our lives.
That doesn’t mean it will be easy, it doesn’t mean others won’t try and confuse us by trying to get those that know the true to believe the lies they have convinced themselves of.
It means, if we know we are right, we should listen to an opposing view but always be ready to defend the truth with meekness and fear having a clear conscience on it (1 Peter 3:15-16).