For To This

You Have Been Called

Slaves, accept the authority of your masters with all deference, not only those who are kind and gentle but also those who are harsh. For it is a credit to you if, being aware of God, you endure pain while suffering unjustly. If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, what credit is that? But if you endure when you do right and suffer for it, you have God’s approval. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps.

“He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were gong astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your soul.

1 Peter 2:18-25

It has been said that Emperor Nero set fire to Rome so he could have it rebuilt and named for himself. It is also said that he used Christians as human torches to light his palace garden. It is believed that Peter and Paul were martyred during this time. His persecution eventually backfired. Instead of weakening the new faith of Christianity, it strengthened it. History tells us that within a few hundred years Christianity became so influential that Emperor Constantine made it the official religion of the Roman Empire.

God always has a purpose in persecution. He will use it for good if we follow the example of Christ. Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. He committed Himself to God, and it is God who judges us all.

It is better to suffer for the cause of Christ

than for the cause of Christ to suffer.

Our Daily Bread – August 30, 2006