The Eyes and Ears of the Lord

Understanding 1st Peter 3:12

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1st Peter 3.15

Meat
September 27th 2015

Okay, we left off with Peter telling us believers to . . .

(11) Let him turn aside from evil and do good. Let him seek peace and pursue it.

And in our text for today he gives us a reason why, saying at verse 12:

12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. 13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? 14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

We know from last week that Peter has drawn inspiration in this part of his epistle from Psalm 34:11-18, which says:

11 Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD. 12 What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? 13 Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. 14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. 15 The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. 16 The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. 17 The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. 18 The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

A Hebraism of Guardianship

So back to verse 12 of chapter 3 of first Peter where he writes:

“For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.”

We know from the words of Jesus that “the eyes of the Lord” are over all creation, that He knows the count of hair on our heads and when a sparrow falls from the trees. But this Hebraism, “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous,” seems to be given in the sense of Him being a protector – it’s a statement of guardianship and one of a father and grantor of blessings and requests rather than just one of an overseer who is governing and monitoring. Peter adds,

“And his ears are open unto their prayers.”

Meaning, He hears their prayers. To know this fact – that God hears the prayers of those who believe is a great comfort and reminder that we are at liberty (by our faith and the grace extended to us by the Lord Jesus Christ) to go to God at all times, and to pour out their desires before him. By faith we trust that He hears our prayers and by faith we trust He will respond.

Faith and the Response of God

Does this mean He does NOT hear the prayer of the faithless? I’m sure He does. Just as His eyes are over them too. But it appears that to the faithful we have his ear verses Him just hearing the cries of those who don’t believe Him.

I am certain that God answers the prayers of the faithless. He causes the son to rise on the just and the unjust. And I am sure He may directly answer some prayers of the faithless and possible wait on answering the prayers of the faithful – He is God.

But the Psalmist and Peter who quotes Him, seems to be reiterating that God hears – Interprets? Receives? The prayers of the faithful in a way that is not available to those who are not His.

Maybe it’s like a mother who is working as a playground aid at a school where her child attends. She is observing and responding to all the cries around her but when it is the cry of her own child she has an ability to hear him over the cries of the others.

Finally and as an aside, but I am personally convinced that we pray to learn to accept God’s will and NOT to have our own petitions granted. Certainly we present and reveal our needs, but every one of them

The Importance of Submission and Doing Good

– in my estimation – ought to include the addendum of, “help me to accept your will in whatever is done, to see your hand, and to glorify you no matter the outcome.”

I do not believe God is someone we can go to like a “Blessings ATM.” Instead, the approach is one of dialogue, discussion, pouring out the heart honestly, asking but trusting in Him to see us through as HE sees fit, and not as we desire.

After clearly stating that the living God is on the side of those who believe upon him Peter says:

“But the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.”

Again, a Hebraism. The Lord sets His face “against” is an expression denoting disapproval and even a determination to punish. In other words, His “face” and anthropomorphic assignment to His “attitude toward” is not mild and benignant toward evildoers. Peter has been talking about being submissive for quite a while now. I believe this is merely an extension of that main point. Earlier, he spoke of being submissive to governments and here he has been talking about the way to live a happy life, quoting from Psalms. He has plainly told us how God sees and hears those who pursue Him and now has told us plainly how God sees or receives “evil doers.”

Biblical Context and Teachings

That phrase “evil doers” or “those that do evil” hearkens back to his words in chapter two that started this discussion on submitting when he wrote:

1 Peter 2:13-14
Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.

These sentiments are echoed in Paul’s words in Romans 13 where he writes:

Romans 13:1
Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

So when Peter writes here:

“But the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.”

I believe it is contextually in reference to this topic – criminals, those who do evil which could be punished by law and is not speaking to fleshly sinMissing the mark of faith and love—no punishment, just lost growth or peace. repugnant to God. This position is supported by Peter's next words at verse 13 where he says:

13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?

This is a direct appeal to those who read Peter’s epistle to behave and not be convicted of evil doing so they can enjoy a healthy life. It is a VERY practical bit of advice to them who were living in a tenuous age – but the advice is just as applicable to us today. “Who will harm us if ye are followers of that which is good?”

Practicing Goodness

So let’s be known for Good. Let’s do Good. “Good for God” might be the phrase. Now, contextually we have to see that while Peter has made it clear that if we are doing good and not evil that God hears our prayers and has His eye upon us and he does rhetorically ask:

“Who will harm us if we are followers of that which is good?”

I think that in response we can say, “plenty of people.” But if we remember he has been talking about governments and kings and authority the answer is, “not so many.” In other words, if we are being peacekeepers and “feeding the poor” and remaining “humble and loving” there are very few authorities who will render our good with evil.

But his rhetorical question cannot be taken as gospel to mean that if we do good none will harm us. There are certainly times when the righteous will suffer for the good they do and the good lives they lead. All we have to do is look at the life of John the Baptist, Jesus, and the apostles to see this.

Spiritual Satisfaction and Suffering

Again, the context of these passages is about how to live a tranquil life under the authorities placed in power over us.

Psalm 37:3-6 reiterates the point:

“Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.”

Nevertheless, there is no promise of comfort for those who are His, and that is why Peter gives us this next caveat.

14 But . . . and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled.

Now, remember the setting and to whom Peter was writing. He was NOT writing to us today primarily but to them first and foremost . . . and his words have application to all believers ever since. But in context of what was going on around them, he was telling them how to survive, exactly what attitude to embrace. Do good – the governing powers (the Romans who were about to come in and destroy Jerusalem) – they won’t trouble you if you follow this advice.

14 But . . . and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled.

Happiness Through Suffering

The King James placing and after but here is really unnecessary with the translation really being something to the effect of, “But even if you DO suffer for righteousness sake . . . .” In other words, where a truly holy character will, in general, live a much more tranquil life than those who do evil, one that would include personal safety, there is a possibility that you will suffer persecution. If this is your lot, Peter says, “be happy.”

The term is makarios, and it is the same word Jesus taught Peter and the others in the Sermon on the Mount. Blessed and happy are used interchangeably in the New Testament and mean the same thing. Today we tend to think of happiness through carnal eyes. Blessed too. But these words relate to a state of spiritual satisfaction that speak to the mind and heart reminding us that we are in God’s favor and light. Being really, really happy because all our friends came to our birthday party is close to this description only because it conveys the experience of being loved and accepted and that all is right with the world at that moment.

Blessed – makarios, as in

Blessed are the poor
Blessed are they that mourn
Blessed are the meek
Blessed are they that suffer persecution

All speak to the same response but spiritually and toward our relation to God, NOT the circumstance.

Covenant and Spiritual Growth

The full verse says: 14 But . . . if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy (blessed) are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled.

Now . . . I want to quickly hit on something I believe and teach and have never heard the approach fully articulated before – even by full Preterists. It came to me as a result of my study of Covenantal EschatologyStudy of “last things”—TGNN teaches all biblical eschatology was fulfilled in 70 A.D. More but as far as I know the teaching is unique – so really challenge it, test it, and do all you can to refute it.

You know by now that I am convinced that everything that relates to the content of this Book for the most part related to the covenant God had with the Nation of Israel. This was a materially lived covenant, with laws and blessings that related to them materially, the promise of a material Messiah, a material deathSeparation from God—now overcome. Physical death remains, but it no longer separates us from life with God., resurrection, ascension and return – materially – with judgement for the faithless and blessing for the faithful.

This does not mean that God was not working in and with them spiritually – there was a nascent but growing spiritual product as the result of all we read in this book. But the primary order of the book was God working through the Nation of Israel materially to teach us how to relate to Spiritual things. I am convinced that when Peter speaks of suffering it was also primarily material – physical – that led to spiritual growth in the saints living at that time.

When the record was physically completed with the advent of 70 AD and all the material things relative to that age were destroyed – the temple, the

Spiritual Suffering and Growth

Priesthood, the genealogies, the city and the faithless – I am convinced that when we read this record of how God worked through the Nation of Israel and Jesus gathering up those from it, the primary order of the book is God working through us Spiritually to teach us how to relate to this material life. Therefore, when the Bible speaks of suffering for them (at that time) it related PRIMARILY to them suffering physical persecution and trials and buffetings. But when we read of suffering it speaks primarily to our suffering spiritual trials, persecutions and buffetings.

Having said this I believe many Christians have acted in ways to bring upon themselves physical persecutions as a means to fulfill the material sufferings found in the Bible when in reality God seeks to prune and purge and cut back our flesh so that our spirit will thrive and abide.

So when the Bible promises BELIEVERS SUFFERING –

2nd Timothy 3:12 “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”

Acts 14:22 . . . that we must through much tribulationA real historical event fulfilled in 70 A.D.—not a future apocalyptic crisis. More enter into the kingdom of GodGod’s spiritual reign—fulfilled and present, not political or future..

1st Thessalonians 3:3 That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed unto them.

1st Peter 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

The Purpose of Suffering

We know that those suffering were very much physical and material for BEING followers of Christ. But reading those same passages we know that the sufferings are experienced in our lives as we DIE to our flesh and learn to live by the spirit. This is not to say that them and us all have to learn these same lessons but I am convinced that the true message of the Bible on suffering to believers today does not speak to martyrdoms, or starvation, or ostracization from the temple or culture, but of the insufferable cutting off of our flesh so we can live by Spirit.

We will come to a passage in 1st Peter in the weeks to come that summarizes this thought very well. It says in 1st Peter 4:1 “Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: (READY) “for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin.” Now, think about that last line – “he that has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin.” (repeat)

Spiritual Reign

I know plenty of people who suffer physically in the flesh, with ailments, imprisonment, persecution who have not ceased from sin. So I would suggest that what this passage suggests is when we allow our Spirit to Reign, and therefore our flesh to die (or suffer) our sinning will cease. And this is the main means by which believers today suffer – we take the directives of Jesus and Paul and Peter and John and we refuse to let the flesh reign BY allowing the Spirit to take the helm and this is INSUFFERABLE.

Paul makes the point clear when he asked in Colossians 3:3 “For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” And again in Romans 6:2

6:2 “How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?”

And if the flesh is dead, and we are dead to sin, then our flesh is rotting and falling apart while our Spirit is thriving. One is suffering the other is thriving or blessed or happy. This is why the words of Jesus are so absolutely poignant in the Sermon on the Mount when He delivers the beatitudes.

Blessed are the poor in spirit. Blessed are they that mourn. Blessed are the meek. That hunger and thirst after righteousness. That are persecuted for righteousness sake.

And this is the point Peter brings to the table. If you do well the chances of suffering for doing things that are good are lessened.

“Nevertheless,” he adds:

. . if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy (blessed) are ye,” because, borrowing from 1st Peter 4:1, “you will simultaneously know that you are ceasing from sin.”

So the suffering can be categorized as things that are absolutely insufferable to our flesh to endure, like:

• “returning evil with good”
• “loving enemies”
• “holding our tongues”
• “serving those who don’t serve it”
• “turning the other cheek”
• “thinking of others ahead of self”
• “forgiving all people all the time”
• “giving the cloak to those who have sued us for our coat”
• “loving one another”
• “seek for peace and peacemaking”
• “choosing humility over pride”
• “conforming to Jesus not world”
• “refraining from thinking the worst”
• “bearing one another’s burdens”
• “giving cheerfully to others”
• “being hospitable when it’s not convenient”

Christian Living and Compliance with New Testament Commands

. . . LISTEN . . . are you ready for this. . . ?

It’s when we live compliantly with the other ONE THOUSAND AND THIRTY FOUR other New Testament apostolic and Messianic directives to living the Christian life – with NONE of them repeating themselves.

In all, the New Testament gives 1050 commands to believers. Anytime we find ourselves in harmony with them we KNOW that our Spirit is being fed, and we will find ourselves spiritually happy while at the same time suffering (in our flesh) for righteousness sake. Is that heavy or what?

In the face of that ominous fact, there are some things that have to be admitted. First, IF we are to take the New Testament literally and legally, we are in more than three times MORE bondage than the Jews who had 316 commandments. Since we are to have liberty in Christ, this could not be the case. And if this is not the case, then the only way or means or method to be in compliance with all the New Testament directives is by and through the Spirit and never through the flesh.

Compliance Through the Spirit

And since by and through the Spirit the method by which we become compliant to all the directives is by refusing to let our flesh get involved. And if our flesh is uninvolved and the Spirit has taken charge, we, without a drop of sweat or an ounce of fear, by faith in Him sit back and allow Him to live and work in and through us. When this happens, all 1050 directives are lived – and we just go along for the ride. But the going along CAN BE . . . insufferable.

Anyway, speaking to that audience then and mostly about physical persecution, Peter adds:

…and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled.

Again, Peter seems to be quoting from Isaiah, who wrote:

"Neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid. Sanctify the Lord of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread."

To his audience, who were facing being kicked out of the workplace, being alienated from society and punished either by the Romans or the Jewish leaders, Peter tells them “not to be afraid of their terror neither be troubled.”

Facing Persecution Today

Now, let me add an exception to all I have said about the physical versus the spiritual applications so far. There are still Christians who are dying for their faith – and I don’t mean just dying to their flesh. In some parts of the world, the words of Peter are to be taken literally and physically. And Peter’s advice to the people then is AS applicable to such believers today – who might be living under threat in Muslim nations or North Korea and the like.

As a people who are not living for this world, we have really no reason to be alarmed in view of anything that can happen to us. Peter reassures us that God is our protector, and he is abundantly able to vanquish all our foes; to uphold us in all our trials; to conduct us through the valley of death, and to bring us to heaven.

Paul says to believers in 1st Corinthians 3:21-22:

"All things are yours; whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present or things to come."

As joint-heirs with Christ, we not only expect persecutions but know that they have no bearing on our true identity nor our eternities. (And then in verse 15 he gives us more advice IF we find ourselves in the face of trials, saying)

15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

This is a popular verse and for good reason. It instructs all believers on something we are expected to do in our relationship with the world. The first line is cumbersome – “but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts?” It obviously is not literal as the Lord God needs no sanctification . . . except when He abides in the human heart? Maybe the meaning is, “when you consider the Lord (this speaks of Christ) God in your hearts keep Him holy. Don’t explain Him away in the thinking of Man.” Sanctify the Lord God in your heart. And then he adds:

“and be ready always to give an answer.

Understanding Apologetics

"To every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear."

I think it’s fascinating and beautiful the order of these instructions that Peter gives. First, when you are being persecuted for righteousness sake, he says, "keep the Lord Jesus holy in your hearts" then he says, "AND . . .

"and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear."

The Meaning of Apologetics

The word for always "to give an answer" in Greek is, "ah-eye pros apologia" and of course from this we get the term, apologetics, which in the Greek means "making a plea," "providing an answer for oneself," or "a defense on a matter."

To round out the passage let me read a few other translations of this passage.

(RSV) but in your hearts reverence Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to make a defense to anyone who calls you to account for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and reverence; (WNT) but in your hearts consecrate Christ as Lord, being always ready to make your defense to anyone who asks from you a reason for the hope which you cherish. (TCNT) Revere the Christ as Lord in your hearts; always ready to give an answer to anyone who asks your reason for the hope that you cherish, but giving it humbly and in all reverence, (BBE) But give honor to Christ in your hearts as your Lord; and be ready at any time when you are questioned about the hope which is in you, to give an answer in the fear of the Lord and without pride.

And be ready always (at any time) listen to this line – "to anyone who asks."

Other passages say:

"when you are questioned." "to anyone who calls you"

This is intriguing to me. In the realm of sharing the Good News it seems scripture tells us to present it to all as led of the Spirit but in terms of apologetics it appears, at least in this passage, that we are prepared to provide a defense to those who inquire, question, ask or call upon us to give one. Peter places our responding in a rather passive light here. Something to consider.

But the word "apologia" best means a defense.

Scriptural Insights on Giving a Defense

David said in Psalms 119:46 "I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed."

Paul said in Colossians 4:5-6 "Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man."

He also said in Colossians 3:16 "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom . . ."

There are eight passages that use the word apologia in scripture. We know from the Words of Peter and Paul that the defense needs to be gentle, humble, not boastful, or proud, and "When anyone asks or questions you . . .

"always be ready to provide an answer for the hope which is in you . . .

So maybe we ought to ask ourselves here and now – what are the substantive reasons for the hope that is within us?

(beat)

Have you ever tried to articulate this to others? Peter says to be ready so I assume this means we have thought about it and sort of figured out a summary of our hope.

"A reason of the hope that is in you," from the Greek, "an account."

What are the reasons why we regard Christianity as true?

Why do we cherish a hope of heaven?

Why do we trust that Jesus has saved us, that we are adopted children of God, why do we believe the way we believe?

What are the evidences of the truth of Christianity?

Personal Reflection

Now listen – we are not all called to be apologists neither are we all equipped to handle all the objections to our faith. But Christianity is founded on evidence – it is NOT a faith that lives in the cloud.

I think Peter’s suggestion has merit – and so I want to wrap today up with all of those who are willing to participate – whether here in the studio church or at home – to take a challenge –

Go home and compose – actually write out for yourself the answer you would provide to someone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you.

I will do the same – and I will

The Exercise of Hope

I will share mine with you next week. And if you are willing you can share yours as well. I think the exercise will be of tremendous benefit to all and you may find yourself surprised that the abundance – or the lack – of substantive reasons for the hope that it in you.

Q and A