Holiness in an unholy world (5)

To this you have been called...

Last week we looked at submitting and honoring those who are in authority over us. I think that Scripture caught our attention. It hits pretty close to home when we catch ourselves saying something against those who lead us.

Let’s read today’s passage from 1 Peter 2:18-25

1 Peter 2:18–25 NIV

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. For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. 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. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” 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. “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.” For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

This morning, I’d like for us to take a look at the suffering that we endure and the suffering that Jesus endured for us.

Our Suffering

Peter starts this passage of Scripture speaks to slaves.

1 Peter 2:18–19 NIV

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. For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God.

If you have ever had a job, it’s not always easy to endure criticism whether justified or unjustified. Peter was speaking to a group of people that had no labour board or union to protect them from mistreatment and abuse.

Depending on your job, you have to make decisions that can affect others as well as the place where you are employed.

Some employers are easier to work for than others. They can be kind and respectful. Others can be loose tongued and very harsh with their employees. The employer can establish the brand that the business is known for, and they can set the tone or attitude that employees might have concerning their job and their performance.

For several years, I stopped using a certain tire shop because of the caustic language and the attitude exhibited by the employer and employees right in front of the customers. The language could make a sailor blush.

While working at the Feed Store, I found it a peaceful place to work. The peace of God was there. Employees were friends. The owner and the employees had a mutual respect for each other. Sometimes the boss might scold you for doing something that was a little careless, but at the end of each day, on the way out the door, the owner would thank the employees for the work that had been done.

Submit to your masters

1 Peter 2:18 ESV

Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust.

I find it a little interesting in how two translations interpret it a little differently but regardless, there is something that we can take from it.

The NIV says to submit out of reverent fear for God, while the ESV says that we are to submit with all respect.

It doesn’t matter whether we are being treated in a way that seems respectful, or it can be downright hurtful, but out of reverence for God we are to treat those whom we work for with respect. It doesn’t matter if they deserve it, God deserves our best.

Colossians 3:17 NIV

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3:22–24 NIV

Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

The time may come when you experience mistreatment or you may never work for or with somebody that is abusive physically, verbally, or emotionally. Thank the Lord if you never face that, but if you do, God will strengthen you to handle any test or temptation that comes your way.

1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

Suffering for doing wrong

1 Peter 2:20 NIV

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.

Hopefully, in this day and age that not too many of us are getting a beating for doing wrong at work. If we get scolded or we get our wrist slapped for doing something wrong, or something that goes against the policies of where we work, how is this commendable?

If we get fired because we have a bad attitude, how does this bring glory and honour to the Lord? If we blatantly do wrong, it doesn’t make us look good, on the contrary, people will look down on us.

Matter of faith and conscience

If you are persecuted or you lose your job because you are a Christian, this is commendable to you. Now sometimes we blame God by saying that I got fired because I was a Christian. It might be that we are working somewhere and we are trying to proselytize, win people to Christ.

When we are working, our first calling is to fulfill our duties. We are not called to evangelize first and if we have time, to do our work. God will open up doors as you work faithfully. Live the life and God will make room. Build relationships. God will open the doors. First prove yourself.

If we look at the story of Joseph in the book of Genesis, he was in prison for many years. God’s favour was on him. He earned the favour and the respect of the warden so that the warden put him in charge of many things. When the time was right Joseph interpreted the dreams of the butler and the baker, and in time God used him to save Egypt as well as his own family.

Let’s live like Joseph lived. Even though he was punished for something he didn’t do, he remained faithful to God. Even though he was in prison, he made the best of it. You might be in a place or a job that you don’t like. In everything we do,let’s do it as unto the Lord. It’s the Lord who will reward you just at the right time.

You may face persecution because you are a Christian. Stand firm in your faith. You may have to make hard decisions that to you are a matter of conscience. Sometimes it costs us much to stand for what we believe in. I pray that God will give you that strength that you need, and the He will supply every thing that you need.

Let’s not be too quick to judge each other on matters of conscience. Let’s love each other in spite of our differences and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Christ’s sufferings

1 Peter 2:21 NIV

To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

This verse can be transformational. To this you were called. We are called to suffer for doing good because Jesus suffered for us and gave us an example. Let’s follow His example. Let’s imitate Christ. Let’s desire to be mire like Jesus. Let’s pray that We can have that same attitude as Jesus.

Philippians 2:5–8 NLT

You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

The One who spoke the worlds into existence. The creator of the universe, humbled Himself and became a human. He became flesh and blood for us.

1 Peter 2:22–23 NIV

“He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” 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.

Isaiah 53:6–7 NIV

We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.

When we face opposition, when we endure hardship, when people say all kinds of things against us falsely, what do we do? Do we stand up for ourselves because we don’t deserve what’s coming.

Jesus was meek. He had the power to destroy those who were maligning Him and yet He didn’t even open His mouth, but He entrusted Himself to the One who judges justly.

No one may ever know the truth about how you were mistreated. Nobody may ever hear your side of the story, but there is One in Heaven who knows everything about your situation and He judges justly. God will be your vindicator.

Here’s the chorus to an old hymn: “Jesus knows all about our struggles, He will guide till the day is done; There's not a friend like the lowly Jesus– No, not one! no, not one!”

Jesus is that friend that sticks closer than a brother. He will never leave you; He will never forsake or abandon you.l

Jesus didn’t threaten. He didn’t retaliate. The Bible says that Jesus could have called 12 legions of angels. Two angels destroyed the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Jesus took the beating at the whipping pole for our healing. He took the crown of thorns that brought Him shame, so that we could be delivered by this Mighty King. Jesus hung on the cross of crucifixion for our sins. He shed His blood so that by His death we have life.

Do you remember the words that He proclaimed to the Father? “Father forgive them for they know not what they do!” Would you pray with me that God the Father would forgive those who have sinned against us. “Father, don’t hold this sin against them, they don’t know what they are doing”

Will you pray the Lord’s prayer with me?

Matthew 6:9–13 KJV 1900

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Here’s a promise from God’s word. This is why it is so important that we forgive people when they sin against us.

Matthew 6:14–15 NIV

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

By His wounds...

1 Peter 2:24–25 NIV

“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.” For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Jesus died. He suffered so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. It cost Him everything. Jesus held nothing back so that we could have life. He shed His blood so that sin will no longer have power and authority in our lives. He took stripes on His back for our healing. By His stripes we were healed: spiritually, physically, and emotionally. We are healed so that we can be whole.

Let’s pray.

Communion

1 Corinthians 11:23–26 NKJV

For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.