Original: February 14, 2008
20 Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong. But if you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently, God is pleased with you. 21 For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. 1 Peter 2:20-21
Years ago I was involved in a situation where an irate church member stormed into the church office and began to scream uncontrollably at the church secretary. Scared for her life this normally courageous woman sat in her chair as the angry parishioner loomed over her with his vicious words. Several days later I ran into her. As she shared her story I asked her, “Where was the pastor? Isn’t his office a few feet from your desk?”
“He never came out.” she spoke in a tone of disrespect and disgust for a man she once admired.
I never looked at this man with the same eyes again.
I think he should have take action, opened the door (he had to have heard the man), and fought for his secretary. “But Jim,” you might say, “A pastor should never fight!” He should have opened the door, stepped past his fear, and defended his defenseless secretary.
As I studied verses 21 and 22 in my New American Standard Bible (NASB) I notice something radical about the word “endure”. In verse 21 Paul talks about those who “do what is right and suffer for it.” In other words, the Christian man should open his door, step out of his office and be prepared to “suffer for it” whatever “it” may be. There are certain things a man should fight.
He should fight for the weak, he should fight against sin, fight for those he loves, and fight for the eternity of others. This pastor should have had the guts to take a punch for his secretary. Instead of cowering behind his desk in prayer he could have been the answer.
Look at verse 21 as Peter compares human suffering with that of Christ’s suffering. Peter tells us that Christ left “an example for you to follow in his steps.” What exactly was that example he left for us to follow you may be wondering? The answer is found in the three words of verse 20, “suffered for you”.
“You” my friend are “it”. You are the IT Christ suffered and died for. Men are called to follow Christ’s example by standing in the gap for those who are weaker, lesser and/or defenseless. If we need to fight, we should fight. If we need to defend, we should defend. And, if we need to suffer, we should endure patiently.
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (Hebrews 12:2-3)
