Daily Reading: (1 Peter 2:20-23)
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.
This text gives us the blueprint of
how to respond to unjust suffering
an explanation why this is happening
and what opportunity the suffering creates.
“But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.”
Endure it/(Hypomenō) to persevere: under misfortunes and trials to hold fast to one's faith in Christ (1 Peter 2:20).
This is commendable/ (charis) -due to grace (para) from God.
If you suffer for doing good you will persevere under the misfortunes and trails because of the grace from God.
Suffering unjustly in this world is a calling for Christians (1 Peter 2:21). Christ is our example.
Enduring unjust suffering and doing it patiently shows the world God. It makes the suffering of Christ real to people. People can see that this is the way Jesus was. And if you have seen Jesus, you have seen the Father (John 14:9). So, this kind of demeanor shows God by showing Christ his Son.
God has called Christians to endure unjust suffering without bitterness or revenge or the desire to hurt back (1 Peter 2:23).
When you endure unjust suffering, you are not saying justice doesn't matter; what you are saying is that God is the final judge and will settle accounts justly.
So, this is our calling (1 Peter 2:21), not to hurt back those who hurt us (1 Peter 2:23), and this is not a rule to keep but a miracle to be experienced, it's a grace to be received (2 Peter 2:20). The miracle happens of not hurting back—the grace comes—when we are conscious of God (1 Peter 2:19).