Word@Work 1Pet31 - 1 Peter 2:20
Published: Mon, 06/08/09
Word@Work from BeaconLight
GOOD OR BAD PAIN?
1 Peter 2:20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. (NIV)
Although it would be nice to think that we live in world full of kind people, that is an illusion. And sometimes, followers of Jesus are not much better. Alas, every believer has the potential to make wrong decisions and behave in an ungodly way. The reality is all too obvious: no Christian is perfect, and various griefs may follow sin. But it should never be mistaken for the suffering of persecution. Neither should we pretend that God is pleased with us simply because of suffering, when we have brought it upon ourselves. The right reaction is repentance, and an appeal for God's mercy through Christ's sacrifice on the cross (click to www.crosscheck.org.uk).
However, when we are living for Christ, serving Him and doing good to others, Satan is furious (cf Rev 12:12). He often makes His attacks though people who resent that you serve Jesus. This evil mechanism seeks to spoil God's work in your life, and to disgrace Christ by urging you to solve the issue, unsatisfactorily, in your own strength. But, the Lord allows it so that by your endurance, you may demonstrate the sustaining grace of Christ, relying on His love alone (cf 1 John 4:16). It is endurance which marks out the true disciple from the Christian enthusiast. Not that there is anything wrong with enthusiasm, but it is all too often expressed in the energy of the flesh, which soon exhausts itself.
Endurance depends on confidence that the end will be good. Marathon runners, mountain climbers and Olympians all know that the finish is more important than the beginning. It is the same for those who are born again. The knowledge that Jesus Christ is waiting at the finish line to award His prize has sustained many generations of sufferers to cling on - for all He is worth. Endurance demands daily decisions to reject the fleshly solution and cling to the Lord. It is the training and proving ground for heaven. And the workplace may provide plenty of opportunity to practice!
Prayer: Loving Father. Although I dislike the trials that bring grief to my life, thank you for trusting me enough to bear them. Help me to endure the enemy's attacks; however they may come to me, with daily decisions to keep relying on Your love and faithfulness. Enable me to keep serving You as I work or care for others; even if they despise my faith, and their words and actions attempt to disable me. In Jesus Name. Amen.
You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
Although it would be nice to think that we live in world full of kind people, that is an illusion. And sometimes, followers of Jesus are not much better. Alas, every believer has the potential to make wrong decisions and behave in an ungodly way. The reality is all too obvious: no Christian is perfect, and various griefs may follow sin. But it should never be mistaken for the suffering of persecution. Neither should we pretend that God is pleased with us simply because of suffering, when we have brought it upon ourselves. The right reaction is repentance, and an appeal for God's mercy through Christ's sacrifice on the cross (click to www.crosscheck.org.uk).
However, when we are living for Christ, serving Him and doing good to others, Satan is furious (cf Rev 12:12). He often makes His attacks though people who resent that you serve Jesus. This evil mechanism seeks to spoil God's work in your life, and to disgrace Christ by urging you to solve the issue, unsatisfactorily, in your own strength. But, the Lord allows it so that by your endurance, you may demonstrate the sustaining grace of Christ, relying on His love alone (cf 1 John 4:16). It is endurance which marks out the true disciple from the Christian enthusiast. Not that there is anything wrong with enthusiasm, but it is all too often expressed in the energy of the flesh, which soon exhausts itself.
Endurance depends on confidence that the end will be good. Marathon runners, mountain climbers and Olympians all know that the finish is more important than the beginning. It is the same for those who are born again. The knowledge that Jesus Christ is waiting at the finish line to award His prize has sustained many generations of sufferers to cling on - for all He is worth. Endurance demands daily decisions to reject the fleshly solution and cling to the Lord. It is the training and proving ground for heaven. And the workplace may provide plenty of opportunity to practice!
Prayer: Loving Father. Although I dislike the trials that bring grief to my life, thank you for trusting me enough to bear them. Help me to endure the enemy's attacks; however they may come to me, with daily decisions to keep relying on Your love and faithfulness. Enable me to keep serving You as I work or care for others; even if they despise my faith, and their words and actions attempt to disable me. In Jesus Name. Amen.
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