Suffering? Did You Say Suffering?
1 Peter 2:21-23 NLT
21 For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps.
22 He never sinned,
nor ever deceived anyone.
23 He did not retaliate when he was insulted,
nor threaten revenge when he suffered.
He left his case in the hands of God,
who always judges fairly.
Now this is a topic that can create a firestorm in religious circles. My intent is not to light the match but rather to create realistic expectations. There is suffering for the Kingdom of God. Not with sickness, disease, and depression. Not with mental and emotional torment. The suffering is of a different sort.
If we read the entire second chapter of First Peter, we see the suffering that Peter was referring to. The suffering associated with keeping away from worldly desires that war against the mind and emotions. The suffering associated with living in such a way that, even though being accused of doing wrong, honorable behavior silences the accusations. There is suffering associated with respecting and treating people in authority. Slaves were instructed to treat their masters with respect , and if they suffered from doing good, they were to endure it with perseverance.
In our verses for today, we see that Christ suffered for us by never speaking anything deceitful or sinning. Believe me, there is suffering involved with resisting sin. And the suffering that comes from not retaliating when insulted or getting revenge when treated badly. Jesus put His case into God's hands instead of taking matters into His own.
Remember, Peter states that Jesus is our example. We will not have to go to the cross as He did, but the scriptures say we are to crucify our flesh. Again, there is nothing easy about putting our fleshly desires down.
I hope you are getting the picture of what biblical suffering looks like. When we measure our discomfort with what the Lord went through for us, it puts things in a better perspective. And when we handle suffering and insults and accusations well, it honors and is pleasing to God.
There is a verse in the book of Acts that is a great example of people who handled suffering well. The apostles were beaten by the religious leaders in Jerusalem for proclaiming Jesus as the Messiah. In
Acts 5:40-41, "...and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus and let them go. So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ."
The apostles were rejoicing that they were counted worthy to be beaten and suffer shame for His name. That is so impressive. I am not quite there yet, but at least I know the direction I should be going.
Prayer
Lord, help me handle suffering for Your sake and the sake of the Kingdom with honor. I know that even when I suffer for being identified with You, that I am not alone. You are with me by Your Holy Spirit, so I am empowered to keep moving forward. Suffering won't stop me!