1 Peter 3:15-16 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
Shame has lost it’s good properties. Shame is now seen by most of the population as something to be avoided, or even as something to be condemned by others. Shame is seen as a vestige of a bygone era, an era that we have surely grown beyond!
But shame can have a positive effect. It can help curb behavior that would bring harm to those who do such things. Shame can modify or even prevent behaviors. Shame can be good!
I know that might sound radical to those who feel that we should never feel bad. They were called “snowflakes” a few years ago. They are people who get offended by almost everything, and their offense means that others must change in order to protect the offended person.
But being offended can be a very good thing. Humans are meant to sharpen each other through the friction of differing opinions freely exchanged and debated. This is what a ‘liberal’ education used to be about. But this has been lost on most university campuses today.
Our text was written to help the readers continue in their trust in Jesus, despite the presence of persecution. It would have been easy for them to bow to the pressures and ‘soften’ the blow of the truth of the Gospel. They could have removed the offending beliefs and lived happily ever after. But they didn’t.
Two things jump out at me as I read this text. First is that our lives should be lived in such a way that others see something that raises questions in their minds, questions that they are driven to ask. If we live as everyone else lives, then there would be no reason for the questions. But if we live a life of holiness, then people will see the difference and come with questions.
The problem we have with this first observation is that the church in the United States doesn’t look that much different from the general population. We look like the culture. This has even invaded our worship services. They have often turned into entertainment concerts rather than worship experiences.
We should be living differently. But exactly what that difference would be, I don’t have an answer that would fit universally. Our priorities should be different.
I don’t want to point my finger at individuals or families that claim to be Christian, and yet seem, from my perspective, to be not living the values they espouse. I am responsible to live my life and influence those in my sphere of influence.
One area that is personal might be in the area of finances. How does our spending and giving reflect the abundant grace we have received? If people examined our bank statements, would they see Jesus at work?
The second thing that I notice in the text is that shame needs to be part of the equation. Without shame, the questions and answers that are given will fall on deaf ears. If our lives don’t pluck the string of shame, because our behavior is so above reproach, then their hearts won’t be inclined to the radical change that Jesus requires.
And if our culture has tamped down the presence of shame in the culture, then shame’s proper role can’t be fulfilled. And we are moving this direction rapidly at the present time. Nothing is placed in the shame category. Instead, even the most vile behavior is condoned. Unless of course it is radical obedience to Jesus.
The Arnold Journey 