Christ Is Our Example

In the second chapter of First Peter, he tells us to honor the authority placed over us whether they be kings or governors who will execute judgment over evildoers and give praise to the righteous.  Then he explains:

20 For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God.

We are to patiently endure when we suffer for doing what is right just as Jesus did.  Many Christians want to take matters into their own hands and execute judgment against those who do them wrong.  If they do, then they have received their lesser reward from the world.  Instead, we should be entrusting ourselves to FATHER WHO judges righteously and will provide us with a Heavenly reward:

21 For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps,

22 WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH;

23 and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously;

Which reward do you want- the temporary or eternal?  People do not want to suffer yet Jesus is shown here to be the example we must follow.  This particular passage is not often mentioned to encourage us to follow for everyone gets excited about the overcoming King and those whom He has chosen as Sons.  The overcoming ministry follows the preparation through suffering and dying to the flesh. 

In 1 Corinthians chapter 4, Paul writes:

10 We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are prudent in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; you are distinguished, but we are without honor.

11 To this present hour we are both hungry and thirsty, and are poorly clothed, and are roughly treated, and are homeless;

12 and we toil, working with our own hands; when we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure;

13 when we are slandered, we try to conciliate; we have become as the scum of the world, the dregs of all things, even until now.

14 I do not write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children.

15 For if you were to have countless tutors in Christ, yet you would not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.

16 Therefore I exhort you, be imitators of me.

Our reward requires much of us and we must let unconditional Love be at the forefront of our response to the harsh realities of the current world system.  We must be willing to deal with the “crap” knowing that FATHER will reward us with Heavenly riches which are everlasting.  Everyone want the power and authority of Christ yet few are willing to endure suffering as both Peter and Paul tell of us of this necessity.  We must be of good courage and know FATHER will provide us strength to endure.  In all things be content and know that your redemption draweth nigh.

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