Bible Text: 1 Peter 3:18-4:6 | Preacher: Pastor Joe Ricchuiti | Series: 1 Peter, Living for the Will of God

There is suffering that may come into the believer’s life, not the result of sin, but of living righteously.
Peter speaks of the necessity of a clear conscience to the believer. Someone has called the conscience “the internal arbiter of our actions.” Scripture speaks of a clear or good conscience (1 Peter 3); a defiled or corrupted conscience (Titus 1:15); a seared conscience (1 Timothy 4:2); and a guilty or evil conscience (Hebrews 10:22). The believer should train his/her conscience by the Word of God, should confess sin to God, and should be sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit concerning the Word.
We should not be surprised when we suffer for doing right, because Jesus the Messiah, the Righteous One, also suffered. Peter once again uses Jesus as the example of triumph through suffering, unjust suffering, in 3:18.
Jesus’ died for sin, as our substitute, taking our place, and taking the penalty of sin which we deserved so that we might have access to God. Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, we have access to the Father (Ephesians 2:18; Hebrews 4:16); access to approach God with confidence and freedom (Ephesians 3:12); access to the throne of God (Hebrews 10:19); and access to God’s grace (Romans 5:2). Many people today seek access to powerful people. Believers, through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ have access directly to Almighty God, Creator of the Universe.
This access was symbolized by the tearing of the Temple curtain dividing the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies in two, top to bottom (symbolizing that it was God’s doing.
Through Christ’s death we have access to God the Father where we find grace to meet our daily needs; and a ready ear to hear our prayer.