Even in Trials…do what is right

Peter wrote a letter to Christians who were suffering various trials. He encouraged them to keep on rejoicing ( Holding on to Joy During Difficult Times ) and reminded them of the purpose of their calling (Joy is Living out the Purpose of Your Calling). Also he told them the importance of doing what is right.

Doing what is right…of course we are to “do what is right”. But what is right??img_3450

Everyone has an opinion about it. We cannot watch TV, read a newspaper or scroll through our Facebook feeds without people declaring what they believe to be “right” and expect all of us to agree with them.

Society would have us believe that if it feels good, gives us pleasure, or comes naturally… then it has to be the right thing to do.

If you are not sure what is right according to God, Peter’s letter can help with that. He included instructions throughout the letter – commands to be holy (1:15), fervent in love (1:22), submissive (2:13, 18; 3:1), and humble (5:6) just to name a few. Peter doesn’t just instruct the reader to do what is right…he reminds them WHY they are to do what is right.

1.  For the Lord’s Sake

Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men.                  1 Peter 2:13-15 nasb

Do what is right by submitting to governmental authority not for praise or to silence foolish men, but because it is God’s will. Paul points out that God establishes all authority and when we oppose authority…we oppose Him (Romans 13:1-2).

Doing what is right is honoring and valuing all people. It is caring for Christians as family. It is honoring those in authority. All of our actions are to be out of the reverence we have for God (1 Peter 2:17).

2. For the Sake of Conscience toward God

Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable. For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly. 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. 1 Peter 2:18-20

First thought this is not for me…I am not a slave. Yet this biblical principle to submit with respect can apply to the employee and employer relationship.  When we submit out of consciousness of God’s will, we might suffer now but ultimately will find favor with God.

3. For the Sake of Righteousness

Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame. For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong. 1 Peter 3:13-17

Suffer for doing what is right and I am blessed! Really? I don’t feel blessed…but feelings are not necessarily the reality. Jesus told us to expect tribulation (John 16:33) and when we are persecuted for righteousness we are blessed for the kingdom of heaven is ours and our reward will be great (Matthew 5:10-12). Remembering the blessing that comes with enduring trials (James 5:11) can help us do what is right today. Not to fear but be ready to give a defense for our faith with gentleness and reverence, realizing it could be God’s will that we are suffering for “doing what is right”.

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 dominion forever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 5:10-11

 

Joy is Fulfilling Your Purpose

…it might not be what you think!

Last weekend, I led a breakout session at a women’s weekend conference. The first point from my session  is available here: Holding on to Joy During Difficult Times. In this post I am sharing the second point of that session.

We often equate our purpose with a calling to an area of ministry or service, one that we are uniquely suited to do…where we can find satisfaction, feel we are making a difference and serving God.

Several years ago a USA Today poll asked the question, “If you could come face-to-face with God what would you ask?” Would it surprise you to learn the answers most often were: Why was I created? What should I do with my life?

In Peter’s first letter he wrote to Christians who were suffering various trials. He knew they needed to be reminded of the purpose of their calling in order stand firm through the fiery ordeal in which they might find themselves.

Called to follow in Christ’s stepsfootprints

Following in Christ’s steps brings to mind loving (John 13:35) and accepting (Romans 15:7) of one another as He has us. Or His example of service through washing the disciples’ feet (John 13:15) and the compassion He had on the sick and hungry crowds (Mark 8:2). In this letter, Peter has a different purpose in mind, one that we might not be so willing to embrace.

For what credit is it if you sin and are mistreated and endure it? But if you do good and suffer and so endure, this finds favor with God. For to this you were called, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving an example for you to follow in his steps. He committed no sin nor was deceit found in his mouth. When he was maligned, he did not answer back; when he suffered, he threatened no retaliation, but committed himself to God who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we may cease from sinning and live for righteousness.   1 Peter 2:20-24 net

Okay, so is Peter saying our calling is to do good, even if we should suffer for it? Christ gives us an example of how to suffer well. He did not lash back or respond with anger, but trusted God to judge. It is because of Jesus’ willingness to suffer and die for us that we can fulfill our purpose of living for the righteousness of God.

Called to give a blessing

Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing.  1 Peter 3:8-9 nlt

I get that we are to treat one another with sympathy and love, even being humble. But really are we called to pay back evil and insults by giving a blessing?! To give a blessing means to speak well of someone. How do I speak well of someone who just insulted me or spoke evil against me?? It is only possible by following Jesus’ instruction to love, do good and pray for them (Luke 6:27-28). When our heart is right before God, we can give the blessing God has called us to give.

Peter knew how difficult this would be, so he quoted Psalm 34:12-16 as a reminder of the Lord’s response to those who do right and those who do evil.

For the Scriptures say,

“If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days,

keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies.

Turn away from evil and do good.

Search for peace, and work to maintain it.

The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers.

But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil.”     1 Peter 3:10-12 nlt

Purpose Living for the Will of God

Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.  1 Peter 4:1-2 nas

We are to armourselves with the same purpose of Christ. So what was His purpose? Peter points out that Christ suffered and died for our sins so that He might bring us to God (1 Peter 3:18). Our living for the will of God, may bring suffering but by it people by can led ultimately to honor God.

 Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.  1 Peter 2:12 nlt

“Of course, the human tendency is to fight back and to demand our rights. But that is the natural response of the unsaved person, and we must do much more than they do. Anybody can fight back; it takes a Spirit-filled Christian to submit and let God fight his battles.”     Warren W. Wiersbe                                                   

We must remember the purpose of our calling is to follow the example of Christ even as it relates to suffering, to give blessings in response to evil and insults, and live not for ourselves but for the will of God.