Enduring Unjust Suffering
And if it is the will of God that you should suffer, it is better to suffer for doing right than for doing wrong.
First Peter 3:15-18
From today's 2nd reading
Enduring unjust suffering patiently shows God because it makes the suffering of Christ real to people. People can see that this is the way Jesus was.
When we suffer unjustly and patiently with our trust in God,
1) We are surrendering some very precious things (health, comfort, ease)
and so we show God's superior preciousness (1 Peter 2:7).
2) We surrender our claim to be protected and cared for on earth
and so we show God's superior shepherd care for us (1 Peter 2:25; 5:7).
3) We go without the glory of fighting back and winning;
and so we show God's superior glory and the justice of his throne (1 Peter 2:23; 4:13; 5:1, 4).
4) We take a tremendous risk with our life
—the only life most people believe we have to enjoy—
and so we show God's faithfulness and trustworthiness (1 Peter 4:19).
5) We throw way our one chance for happiness
by not fighting for more comforts here;
and so we show God's power to raise us from the dead as a faithful creator and one who has all dominion in the universe (1 Peter 4:19; 5:11).
6) We acknowledge that we are still sinners
and are not earning anything by this patience
and so we show God's great grace (1 Peter 5:10).
So when your time comes, keep these great words in mind from 1 Peter 5:10,
And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. To him be the dominion for ever and ever.
From www.desiringgod.org
First Peter 3:15-18
From today's 2nd reading
Enduring unjust suffering patiently shows God because it makes the suffering of Christ real to people. People can see that this is the way Jesus was.
When we suffer unjustly and patiently with our trust in God,
1) We are surrendering some very precious things (health, comfort, ease)
and so we show God's superior preciousness (1 Peter 2:7).
2) We surrender our claim to be protected and cared for on earth
and so we show God's superior shepherd care for us (1 Peter 2:25; 5:7).
3) We go without the glory of fighting back and winning;
and so we show God's superior glory and the justice of his throne (1 Peter 2:23; 4:13; 5:1, 4).
4) We take a tremendous risk with our life
—the only life most people believe we have to enjoy—
and so we show God's faithfulness and trustworthiness (1 Peter 4:19).
5) We throw way our one chance for happiness
by not fighting for more comforts here;
and so we show God's power to raise us from the dead as a faithful creator and one who has all dominion in the universe (1 Peter 4:19; 5:11).
6) We acknowledge that we are still sinners
and are not earning anything by this patience
and so we show God's great grace (1 Peter 5:10).
So when your time comes, keep these great words in mind from 1 Peter 5:10,
And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. To him be the dominion for ever and ever.
From www.desiringgod.org
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