1 Peter 2:11-25

DOING GOOD

"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." (20)
 

11 Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. 13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15 For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. 16 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. 17 Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor. 18 Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. 19 For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. 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. 21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 22 “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” 23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24 “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” 25 For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

     1. In this world, we are mere aliens and strangers. So, how are we to live? We must set an example for unbelievers, abstaining from sinful behavior, so they may see our good deeds and glorify the Lord.

     2. We can do good by submitting to those with human authority, which has been instituted by God. People like to use their freedom to live as they want. For others, sometimes, submitting to authority can feel scary and like a form of suffering (under our boss, parents, politicians). However, submission to authority shows our reverence to God. No one likes to suffer, but we can remember Christ, who committed no sin, yet suffered on the cross for sinful men. They hurled insults at him, yet he did not retaliate. Instead, he entrusted Himself to the true Judge. We can suffer for doing what is good by remembering himself and acknowledging him.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, you suffered for us. Forgive me for complaining and rebelling against human authority. Allow me to remember Your suffering on the cross, that I may follow you.

One Word: Remember Jesus on the cross