ARE YOU A CHRISTIAN AND SUFFER?
IF YOU ARE A TRUE BELIEVER, SATAN HATES YOU BECAUSE YOU ARE THE IMAGE BEARER OF CHRIST
Pleasing God, in unjust suffering -
Pleasing God, in unjust suffering. 1 Peter 2:18-25
Message: The true disciple of Jesus Christ, has in Him the model, the instruction and the training to patiently, in a way pleasing to God, deal with unjust suffering.
Instruction and Encouragement in Times of Suffering - Message: Instruction and encouragement to Christians, in living under the will and grace of God in a holy way - joyful - with the hope of glory in Jesus Christ, in the midst of sufferings - hostilities, gifts and /or future.
1 Peter 2:18 Servants, be obedient to your masters with all fear. And not only if he is good and cordial, but also if he is bad.
Servants - 'oiketes', everyone who is under the authority of the head of the household; servant, domestic, referring to domestic or domestic servants …
In our culture, Peter's guidelines apply to how we behave towards those directly over us in society (employers, bosses, administrators, teachers, etc.). (Constable, p. 56)
There are times when even "doing good" (doing what pleases God), the disciple of Christ will go through unjust sufferings caused by "wicked" people, in the family, church, corporate, academic world, etc.
Why patiently bear unjust suffering?
I. Because it is pleasing to God, 2:19, 20
2:19a For this is pleasing to God, that someone should endure sorrow, suffering unjustly, …
They patiently endure 'hupophero', to suffer for being under; bear patiently, bear patiently; stay, i.e., remain, not withdraw or flee; to preserve: under misfortunes and trials, to hold fast to faith in Christ; suffer, endure bravely and calmly: mistreatment, mistreatment…
Pleasant ('charis') to God - 'charis', grace, that which gives joy, delight, pleasure, …, to God; what is due to grace 3a) the spiritual condition of one governed by the power of divine grace.
In this context, it means what counts with God's approval, or what pleases Him, and not what He gives (Constable, p. 57);
Because of your conscience toward God - The fact that this is how God wants us to behave is reason enough for obedience.
The praiseworthy motivation for patiently enduring unrighteous suffering is the believer's awareness of being in the presence of God. No credit is given for being punished for doing something wrong. It is the patient enduring of undeserved suffering that finds favor with God, because such behavior demonstrates His grace. (Raymer, R.M., Vol. 2, pp. 847–848)
Why patiently bear unjust suffering?
II. Why we should follow Christ's example, 2:21-25
2.21 For to this you were called (‘eklēthēte’, 1.15; 2.9)… - refers to patiently enduring suffering for the sake of doing good, following the example of Jesus Christ, who suffered in our place.
2.21 Leaving example … 'hupogrammos', written copy, which includes all the letters of the alphabet, given to beginners as an aid in learning to draw them; example presented to someone; refers to a writing or drawing that a student reproduces.
2:22 He committed no sin, nor was deceit found in his mouth.
See Mk 14:53-15:32 - Christ was judged and condemned unjustly.
He was humiliated, mistreated, beaten, and endured one of the worst deaths, the death of a cross. A shameful and cruel death.
What was the example set by Jesus Christ?
2:23 For he, when insulted, did not retaliate with insults; when he was mistreated, he made no threats, but gave himself to the one who judges righteously, 24 bearing our sins in his own body on the tree, so that we, dead to sins, might live for righteousness. By his wounds you were healed.
Jesus Christ "patiently endured the pain and humiliation of the Cross. God was justly judging our sins that His Son bore (cf. 2 Cor 5:21). In the Greek, the words "our sins" are near the beginning of the verse and therefore stand out emphatically, while He Himself emphasizes Christ's personal involvement.His death makes it possible for believers to free themselves from the penalty and power of sin and live for Him: that we might die for sins and live for righteousness (cf. Rom. 6:2, 13) Christ suffered so that Christians could follow His example, both in suffering and in living righteously. Peter made a general reference to salvation: by His stripes you were healed (Isa 53:5). This does not refer to healing physical, for the past tense of the verb indicates completed action, "healing" is an accomplished fact. The reference is to salvation. The suffering of Christ (lit., "wound"; mōlōpi, "band left by a scourge", refers to the scourge of Jesus) and death brought about the "healing", the salvation of every individual who trusts Him as their Saviour. (Raymer, R.M., Vol. 2, pp. 847–848)
The true disciple of Jesus Christ, has in Him the model, the instruction and the training to patiently, in a way pleasing to God, deal with unjust suffering.
Conclusion / challenges
The true disciple of Jesus Christ, has in Him the model, the instruction and the training to patiently, in a way pleasing to God, deal with unjust suffering.
Steps to face injustice in a healthy and victorious way (*)
1. Recognize the root of injustice
Rom 1:18 The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of human beings who, through their unrighteousness, suppress the truth.
There is injustice because human beings have rejected divine standards, and preferred their own human standards…
2. Recognize two of the roots of human suffering
A. Our own sins, v. 20
2.20 For what glory is there, if, having sinned and being punished for it, you bear it patiently?
There are situations, not always, in which suffering is the result of our sin, our wrong choices and decisions...
B. The sins of others, v. 18 ("bad")
2:18 Servants, be obedient to your master with all fear. And not only if he is good and cordial, but also if he is bad.
Sometimes we suffer because of the wickedness, the perversity of others.
3. Relate to the cross of Christ, v. 24; 2 Cor 5.21
2:24 he himself bore our sins in his own body on the tree, so that we, dead to sins, might live for righteousness. By his wounds you were healed.
We die in Him, to sin... Our attitude must not be that of promoting injustice... We must not live in the practice of evil, being instruments of the suffering of others...
We live through Him, for justice... Our attitude must be that of promoters of justice, being an instrument of divine blessings, such as peace and well being, in each other's lives.
4. Turn to "Pastor and Bishop - Jesus", v. 25
2:25 Because you were like sheep going astray; but now you have converted to the Shepherd and Bishop of your soul.
A. Admit your rebellion, v. 25 - “they were strayed”; Rom 3.10-12
B. Accept your calling, v. 21 - “you were called”; 1 Pet 1.15; called to discipleship, to communion and submission...
D. Follow in His Footsteps, v. 21 - "leaving an example for you to follow in his steps"; 1 Jn 2.4-6; Mt 11.28,29
E. Surrender your righteousness and care, v. 23 - "but he gave himself up to the one who judges righteously"; v. 25 "...but now you have turned to the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls"; Ps 23; Jn 10.
The true disciple of Jesus Christ, has in Him the model, the instruction and the training to patiently, in a way pleasing to God, deal with unjust suffering.
Remember if:
His responsibility, under divine grace and enablement, is to persevere and confidently apply the divine principles and truths you have heard (Phil. 2:12-13; 1 Tim. 4:7-9; Jas 1:22-27). As you meditate on this message, ask yourself:
· What does God want to transform in my way of thinking and acting?
· How can I put this into practice in my life?
· What is the first step I will take in this direction (so that there is real transformation in my life)?
Know... believe... Appropriate yourself... And, practice the divine truth so that you may experience the full life that is in Jesus Christ - Jo. 10.10
Bibliography:
Bible New Almeida Updated© Copyright © 2017 Sociedade Bíblica do Brasil.
Constable, Dr. Thomas L., Notes on 1 Peter 2020 Edition
Keller, Timothy. “Refined By Fire” 1 Peter 1:1-9, April 24, 2011 - http://www.christcovenantcullman.org/.../notes-04-24-11.html
MacArthur, John. Study Bible, ARA text. Barueri, SP: Bible Society of Brazil, 2010.
Mueller, Ênio R. 1 Pedro, introduction and commentary - Series Cultura Bíblica. Sao Paulo, SP: Ed. New Life & Ed. Christian World, 1988.
Pinto, Carlos Osvaldo C. (1950 - 2014). Focus and Development in the New Testament. Sao Paulo: Hagnos, 2008.
Piper, John. Theology of Joy: The Fullness of Satisfaction in God. São Paulo: Shedd Publications, 2001.
Raymer, R.M. (1985). 1 Peter. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, pp. 839–840). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
Rienecker, Fritz & Rogers, Cleon. Linguistic Key to the Greek New Testament. Sao Paulo, SP: Ed. New Life, 1985.
Welch, W. Wielber. First Epistle of 1 Peter (The Value of Our Faith). São Paulo, SP: Batista Regular Press, 1978.
Wiersbe, Warren W. Expository Commentary: New Testament: Volume II. Santo André, SP: Geographic Editora, 2006.
Pr. Domingos M. Alves
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