Enjoying and Expressing God while Suffering Unjustly
1Pet 2:19 For this is grace, if anyone, because of a
consciousness of God, bears sorrows by suffering unjustly.
20 For what glory is it if, while sinning and being
buffeted, you endure? But if, while doing good and suffering,
you endure, this is grace with God.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Words of Ministry~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(Part 2 of 2)
Based upon what he says in verses 19 and 20, Peter goes on to
say in verse 21, "For to this you were called, because Christ
also suffered on your behalf, leaving you a model that you
should follow in His steps." Christ's living on earth was a
model of this grace.
Verse 21 opens with the words, "For to this you were called."
Have you ever thought that you were called to suffer
unjustly? The word "this" in verse 21 refers to the unjust
sufferings, the suffering for doing good mentioned in verses
19 and 20. We would he happy to hear that we have been called
to the kingdom and to God's glory. These are marvelous
things. But probably very few of us, whether young or old,
have realized from verse 21 that we have been called to
suffer unjust treatment.
We have been called to enjoy grace and to express God, as
described in verses 19 and 20. This means that we have been
called to suffering so that in it we may have the enjoyment
of God as grace and express Him. Whatever the circumstances
may be, God is our grace, our inner enjoyment. This God is
our grace. This enjoyment motivates us and then becomes our
outward expression, an expression visible to others. Those
who observe this grace expressed from within us will be able
to see something attractive on our face, in our attitude, or
in the atmosphere around us. They will feel that what they
see expressed is pleasant and acceptable. As we have pointed
out again and again, this is grace.
Bible Verses
consciousness of God, bears sorrows by suffering unjustly.
20 For what glory is it if, while sinning and being
buffeted, you endure? But if, while doing good and suffering,
you endure, this is grace with God.
(Part 2 of 2)
Based upon what he says in verses 19 and 20, Peter goes on to
say in verse 21, "For to this you were called, because Christ
also suffered on your behalf, leaving you a model that you
should follow in His steps." Christ's living on earth was a
model of this grace.
Verse 21 opens with the words, "For to this you were called."
Have you ever thought that you were called to suffer
unjustly? The word "this" in verse 21 refers to the unjust
sufferings, the suffering for doing good mentioned in verses
19 and 20. We would he happy to hear that we have been called
to the kingdom and to God's glory. These are marvelous
things. But probably very few of us, whether young or old,
have realized from verse 21 that we have been called to
suffer unjust treatment.
We have been called to enjoy grace and to express God, as
described in verses 19 and 20. This means that we have been
called to suffering so that in it we may have the enjoyment
of God as grace and express Him. Whatever the circumstances
may be, God is our grace, our inner enjoyment. This God is
our grace. This enjoyment motivates us and then becomes our
outward expression, an expression visible to others. Those
who observe this grace expressed from within us will be able
to see something attractive on our face, in our attitude, or
in the atmosphere around us. They will feel that what they
see expressed is pleasant and acceptable. As we have pointed
out again and again, this is grace.
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