For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 1 Peter 2:19 ESV
In today’s New Testament reading, Peter addresses servants. Commentators indicate that this included people who were hired servants, or servants who were taken during war, or servants who were born in the house, and actual slaves. Whichever type of servant, the Christian was to be subject to his master, even those who treated them unjustly (1 Peter 2:18).
The Christian servant doesn’t endure unjust suffering without reason. He does so to show the implications of the Gospel in his life. He does so to control his deep-seated desire to fight for justice. Ultimately, he does so to show the unjust the same sort of mercy Jesus offered on the cross. In today’s key verse, Peter says an act “is a gracious thing.”
How did you respond the last time you were treated unjustly in the office or another sphere of life? Did you demand justice? Demand your rights? Or did you endure suffering, knowing you are called to such a life, with the hope that your oppressor would experience the Gospel in action?
If you didn’t present a Christlike attitude, resolve to do so the next time.
Prayer: Lord, my automatic response to being treated unjustly is to demand justice. Change my heart. May my desire to represent Jesus Christ well rule my spirit instead.
In today’s New Testament reading, Peter addresses servants. Commentators indicate that this included people who were hired servants, or servants who were taken during war, or servants who were born in the house, and actual slaves. Whichever type of servant, the Christian was to be subject to his master, even those who treated them unjustly (1 Peter 2:18).
The Christian servant doesn’t endure unjust suffering without reason. He does so to show the implications of the Gospel in his life. He does so to control his deep-seated desire to fight for justice. Ultimately, he does so to show the unjust the same sort of mercy Jesus offered on the cross. In today’s key verse, Peter says an act “is a gracious thing.”
How did you respond the last time you were treated unjustly in the office or another sphere of life? Did you demand justice? Demand your rights? Or did you endure suffering, knowing you are called to such a life, with the hope that your oppressor would experience the Gospel in action?
If you didn’t present a Christlike attitude, resolve to do so the next time.
Prayer: Lord, my automatic response to being treated unjustly is to demand justice. Change my heart. May my desire to represent Jesus Christ well rule my spirit instead.