United under Christ to Bless while Suffering

Rev. Ryan Ogrodowicz, associate pastor and headmaster at Grace Lutheran Church and School in Brenham, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Peter 3:8-12.

St. Peter wraps up his table of duties by speaking to all Christians. The goal for Christians is unity of mind that is founded in the true doctrine that is taught from Holy Scripture and points to Christ crucified and risen. From that unity of mind, Christians suffer together with each other in compassion and humility. When Christians are met with evil and reviling, we respond with blessing. An extended quote from Psalm 34 serves as the basis for this truth. Just as David showed kindness to Saul even when Saul wanted to kill David, so Christians keep our eyes focused on the truth of God’s Word instead of turning to deceitful words from a deceitful tongue. When we suffer evil, we draw comfort from our Lord’s watchful eyes to see our distress and His open ears to hear our prayers.

“The Imperishable Inheritance” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the epistles of 1 and 2 Peter and Jude. The life of the Christian Church right now is life in exile. We endure attacks from various trials and from false teachers. Such suffering makes us long for the eternal home that will be ours at the resurrection of the dead. In Jesus, we have this promise of eternal life that can never be snatched away. These three epistles strengthen us to hold fast to Christ in the midst of suffering and to give witness to the hope that is ours in Him.