Why do the unrighteous prosper?
Why do the good seem to die young?
Why do some people seem to go through life unscathed while others seem to suffer hardship after hardship?
As Americans we believe that we deserve justice. We see it as an inalienable right.
Unjust Suffering feels…..unjust.
What is our natural response to being treated unfairly?
We see this with our children. If there is conflict between 2 children they look to you to bring justice to the situation.
Have you ever been given a punishment just because you were in the group and the person couldn’t determine who was at fault?
Or you worked hard to get an assignment in and other students didn’t get their paper done and the teacher gave an extension?
Read 1 Peter 2:4-25
The central theme in this section of scripture can be summed up in one word. We are called to submit.
as a citizen,
a worker,
a marriage partner and as
a church member.
I will be teaching on submission in greater detail next time as I attempt to tackle Chapter 3: wives submitting to husbands.
But what I do need to say today is that submission doesn’t mean slavery or subjugation but it is the recognition of God’s authority in our lives.
Romans13:1-7 “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. 4 For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.
Because God has established human government and the church He has the right to tell us how those institutions should be run.
Warren Wiersbe has this to say, “God wants each of us to exercise authority, but before we can exercise authority, we must be under authority.
Peter gives us 3 motivations for our submission to authority:
1. For the Sake of the Lost: with the hope that by our exemplary, blameless lives we can lead others to Christ.
2. For the Lord’s Sake: So that we live beyond reproach, giving God glory along the way. As Daniel did when he respectfully refused to eat the kings rich food and drink his wine. Even though Daniel and his friends disobeyed the law, the way they did it proved they honored the king and respected the authorities.
3. For our own Sake: so that even when we may have to endure unjust/unfair treatment. It is commendable in God’s sight when we bear unjust suffering.
This teaching is opposite of the world’s teaching. When we suffer unjustly we are to endure it patiently and quietly, because this is what we are called to do.
I need to be honest here; I find this a difficult truth to embrace. It goes against my sense of justice. It goes against my personal philosophy or right and wrong. I don’t know about you but when I am unjustly accused I want to tell the world my side of the story.
I want to get people on my side. Have them tell me how wronged I have been. And then I want the person who wronged me to recognize they were wrong, grovel and then publicly apologize and beg my forgiveness.
After all that is what Jesus did, right? After he was taken to Herod and shared His side of the story, He received public apologies from Herod and Pilate. The soldiers who stripped off his garments, whipped him, mocked Him and spat in his face said how sorry they were. The Roman guard who nailed his hands and feet to the cross came and asked for forgiveness. And the thief on the cross that mocked Him for not saving himself was acutely put in his place. I heard that even Judas left a note to say how sorry he was for the betrayal and that he hoped that Jesus didn’t take it personally. He later recognized that it was an error in judgment.
Thank God we live in a just world!
But that isn’t what really happened is it?
Verse 22:
He committed no sin,
and no deceit was found in his mouth.”
23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
When we are the recipients of “unjust suffering,” Peter says that we should follow the example of Jesus. When we follow “in His steps” we are always headed in the right direction.
Here are five applications taken from the example of Jesus, when He suffered unjustly.
1. Don’t sin (1 Peter 2:22a).
When we are treated unfairly, it is natural to go through the emotions of disappointment and frustration.
Ephesians 4:26,27 “In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.”
People around who know the truth are watching to see how a follower of Jesus handles unfair treatment.
Follow in the steps of Jesus.
2. Hold your tongue (1 Peter 2:22b).
Don’t say what’s on your mind. Don’t email it. Don’t text it. Don’t Twitter it. And for goodness sakes, don’t put it on Facebook. Jesus had reason to complain and criticize yet “no deceit was found in His mouth.”
Follow in the steps of Jesus.
Quotes on Silence:
| “A good word is an easy obligation; but not to speak ill requires only our silence, which costs us nothing.” John Tillotson “A man who lives right, and is right, has more power in his silence than another has by his words.” Phillips Brooks |
3. Don’t get even (1 Peter 2:23a).
Don’t strike back. Don’t inflict pain because you have received pain. Even when/if you have the opportunity, don’t try to get even. Show the love and grace of Jesus.
Follow in the steps of Jesus.
Quotes on getting even:
“The best way to get even is to forget”
“An eye for eye only ends up making the whole world blind.”
“Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.”
“Heat not a furnace for your foe so hot that it do singe yourself.”
Martin Luther King Jr. “A man who contemplates revenge keeps his wounds green.”
“Revenge converts a little right into a great wrong.”
Ultimate authority:
“Revenge is mine says the Lord.”
4. Don’t make threats (1 Peter 2:23b).
Don’t go around telling everyone that “unless things change, I’m out of here!” When Jesus suffered, “He made not threats.”
Follow in the steps of Jesus.
5. Hand the situation to God (1 Peter 2:23c).
When Jesus went through the agony of the cross, “He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.”
Delegate the situation to God. Let him handle it in his way and in his time.
Follow in the steps of Jesus.
Romans 12:17-21
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
The follower of Jesus is called to be an example.
In the workplace, as a citizen, as a marriage partner in the church body; we should be the hardest worker. We should demonstrate skill and efficiency and patience. We should live life above reproach. But remember it’s about more than the job or the country or the church or the marriage. Jesus uses every aspect of our life to stretch us and grow us into the followers He desires us to be.
So, in all aspects of life, every day, even in times of “unjust suffering” follow in the steps of Jesus.
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