Jump Start # 117

1 Peter 2:20 “For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God.”

  One of the themes found in Peter’s writings is suffering. This book was written late in the first century when Roman persecution of Christians was beginning. Jesus had told His disciples that they would be hated because of Him. Now the reality of those words was being felt by these Christians.

  Peter said that their faith would be tested by fire (1:7). He told servants to be submissive to masters, even when they were unreasonable (2:18). Peter reminded his readers of the example of the suffering Christ, “leaving you an example to follow in His steps” (2:21). In the third chapter Peter tells them that they will be slandered and reviled (3:16) and that it is better to suffer for doing what is right than what is wrong (3:17). In the next chapter Peter says, “if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in his name” (4:16).

  In theory we understand this because the Bible tells us these things. But when it happens it is one of the hardest things to make sense. Why are people mean when all I’ve done is try to be good? Our verse today brings up two concepts of righteous suffering. First, our response is to endure it. That is hard! Very hard! We want to retaliate, defend and make the offenders get justice. When we attempt that, we have just lost our credibility and our purpose. In the garden when the soldiers came to arrest Jesus, it was Peter who drew the sword. It was Peter who used the sword to defend Jesus. It was Peter who was rebuked by Jesus, saying “put away your sword.” Before Pilate, Jesus said my kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight. Disciples of Jesus act differently. The world shoves us so we will either run away crying or else leap to our feet and start a fight. Peter says, endure. While we are enduring, we ought to pray. Pray for strength. Pray for the heart of those who are hostile.

  The other concept that our verse shows is how God views us when we endure hostility, it pleases God. Peter uses the expression, “finds favor with God.” That is what we want. We want God to be pleased. We want God to find favor with us. In this setting, the way to do that is to endure.

  We don’t face a wicked and murderous government like Rome today. But don’t think hostilities are limited to overseas nations either. Rejection and harshness comes in many forms. It comes from families who do not accept the teachings of the N.T. Family gatherings can be tense and an invitation for wicked hearts to condemn God’s church and people. You may be excluded from parties because people do not want you there. You have be the source of office whispers. People may do wrong and try to pin it on you. You may be overlooked for advancement. You may be the heart of jokes and offending comments. Some may try to steal the credit for the work you have done. You may be kicked out of your family. All of these things happen everyday in America. Is it right? No. What should we do? Endure. Peter reminds us that Jesus was reviled, but did not reviled in return. While suffering, he uttered no threats. He kept entrusting Himself to God. He endured.

  Someday God will take care of all this. It is not our place nor right to do that. Enduring wicked people is hard. It would be so much easier if we could just smack them once in awhile, but we can’t. We won’t. We endure. This is God’s way. This is what our Lord did.

  All this just makes us want to get through with this stuff and get to Heaven. But until then, this is what we must do!

Roger