One of the more defining characteristics of our culture is that we have become skeptical of almost everything. From an early age, our culture has taught us that truth is an impossibility.

Everyone has an authority by which he organizes his life by and in the choices he makes. And culturally, by default, we have chosen ourselves. By becoming our own authority, we decide what is right or wrong individually. Some may see this as a natural by-product of believing in individual liberties, but it is not so.

The founders of America based the idea of fundamental rights on their belief in a “Creator” (an authority above everyone). As a nation, we continue to lose our faith in the Creator - the very basis by which our rights were established. 
 
There is nothing new with this line of thinking. In the history of Israel, this extreme individual morality became a problem during the time of the judges. In Judges (17:6 and 21:25), we read the same phrase, “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” This was in clear disobedience to God’s command “You shall not do according to all that we are doing here today, everyone doing whatever is right in his own eyes” (Deut. 12:8).

Before we point the finger at our culture, let’s examine our own lives and feelings.

Do we act as we please according to our own standards? Or do we submit humbly to the authorities God has established for every Christian’s life? Do we ever pause to think about how this very attitude impacts our churches or our own spiritual health? Do we make decisions based upon Scripture, or do we base them on our culture and our own opinions? Are we willing to be viewed as old-fashioned and inconsequential because we submit to the teaching of Scripture instead of the wisdom of men? 

Submitting to God’s authority is not a popular notion in today’s culture. But if we continue to use ourselves as our own primary authority, then we should not be surprised by the turmoil that it brings.

So, who or what is your authority?
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Do you shudder at the idea of submission? Do you believe that your own eyes are to be trusted over God’s? These are questions we all must ask and answer. To answer these questions wisely, we must turn to Scripture in humble obedience.  

Being Christian does not exempt you from suffering. Many would have you believe that living a “good” life will lead to “good” things. This is simply not the case. The Apostle Peter wrote this week’s text, 1 Peter 3:12-17, to Christians who were under extreme persecution sanctioned by the Roman emperor, Nero. However, it is important to understand that although the Roman government was behind the suffering, the primary sources of persecution were those closest to those who had become followers of Christ.  These Christians were suffering on a personal, sometimes intimate level. Mothers and fathers, husbands and wives, family members and friends, were all inflicting emotional and physical pain on those they had once claimed to have loved. Although most Christians today have not experienced a man like Nero, many have suffered at the hands of those closest to them. 

The whole point of 1 Peter 3 is not about how to avoid suffering, but how Christians should conduct themselves in the midst of suffering.  In other words, the question Christians should be asking is not “will I suffer,” but “how will I suffer?”  “And who will harm you if you are deeply committed to what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness, you are blessed." (1Pet. 3:13 -14 HCSB)  Peter’s question, “who will harm you,” is not designed to minimize the pain and suffering that accompanies the agony of such a personal persecution; on the contrary, Peter’s purpose is to encourage the faithful to remember that they are not alone in times of difficulty. Peter knows firsthand what the Lord Jesus overcame on our behalf. He endured what we should have endured and suffered what we should have suffered. But most importantly, for our discussion, He set the example of how to suffer well and how to love our enemies at the same time. Because of this, Peter tells us, “Do not not fear what they fear or be disturbed.” (v. 14) Instead, when we suffer because of our faith, we should, “Do this with gentleness and respect, keeping your conscience clear.” (v. 16) Do this so that those causing you to suffer will bear witness to the saving power of Jesus in your life.