1 Peter 3:17-18
“For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.”
1 Peter 3:17-18 NIV
Peter continues his teaching on how Christians should respond to suffering for the sake of Christ. This relates to persecution resulting from being known as a believer in Jesus. Here, Peter reveals what may be a startling idea for some of us. CIt might be God's will that we suffer. Contrary to many false teachers, God's will for the Christian life does not always involve wealth, health, and ease. It may require hardship and abuse. Why would God ever want that to happen? 1 Peter chapter 2 explained that our example, Jesus, suffered enormously for our sake. We should not be surprised to be called on to suffer in the same way for His sake. In addition, the previous verses 15, & 16 describe a scenario in which those who persecute Christians may be attracted to our message. Hopefulness in the face of suffering can lead them to conviction of their own sinfulness in causing that suffering. God can use our suffering to bring even our persecutors to faith in Christ. Or, to prove to others that we, not our tormentors, are following the will of God. Whatever the reason behind God's will, Peter clearly teaches that it is better to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. A Christian suffering for Christ's sake brings blessing both for us and the world around us. To suffer for doing wrong, however, means the misery is merely the consequence of our own sin. As a believer, this is especially heinous, since it can harm the reputation of Jesus in the world. The Lord Jesus was truly the righteous One Who died for the unrighteous, the eternal Son of God Who was sent from heaven to lay down His life for the sin of the whole world, the perfect Son of Man Who was born of a woman, in order to lay down His life for lost sinners. That He might bring us to God. He was the righteous Man who suffered for unrighteous men. He was the substitute Man Who died once for all on the Cross of Calvary in order to bring us to God. He was the righteous God-Man who laid down His precious life for a race of sinful, rebellious, prideful men and women, with the supreme purpose that He might bring us to God. Jesus came as the incarnate Word of God, that He might redeem us from slavery of sin and cancel the debt of death and hell, which is our just dessert. But He did so much more for He clothed us in His own righteousness so that we might become the children of God and joint heirs with Him. Should we not similarly be willing to suffer for His name-sake in a world that, in the main, has rejected His amazing gift of salvation, by grace through faith!!!
Father thank You for this day and that Christ was willing to suffer in our place for our sins. Lord thank You for the abundant blessings that flow from the windows of heaven over my friend and family today. Lord thank You that You were willing to lay down Your life for us so that by Your death You could bring us to God. Lord thank You thatYour work on the Cross is finished and that there is nothing that we need to do to be saved, but to believe on Your Name that is above every name. Lord use my friend to be the blessing someone needs today. Daddy we love You amen. Be a blessing. Love ya. !!
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