Suffering For Righteousness

Christians are pilgrims (1 Peter 2:11) journeying through a world where they are often hated and persecuted. It’s during this journey that Jesus calls His followers out of the darkness and into His light. We are confident because the true Light (Jesus) has overcome darkness (John 1:5) and He has given light to everyone (John 1:9) who believes and now we are to carry His light inside of us so we can be light in a dark world. However, Jesus also knows that when we do shine our light by living an obedient and righteous life, we will suffer. While it’s common for American believers to never suffer for their faith, very few and I mean very few are faithful about sharing the whole gospel, primarily only sharing its positive aspects. Boldness for Christ is a foreign concept for American Christians because they fear it will affect their comfortable lifestyle or cause them to suffer, which many go to great lengths to avoid. However, when suffering does come it’s a believer’s conduct that will separate them from the world. Whereas the world seeks to retaliate, the follower of Christ seeks to endure. Whereas the world seeks to curse, the follower of Christ seeks to pray for and bless. Suffering is only what God allows it to be, but He also guarantees us that we will remain in His grip and love no matter what happens to our earthly bodies.

Have you ever wondered what happen to Jesus’ disciples, well, except for John, they all suffered greatly and were eventually martyred. Matthew was stabbed to death, Peter and Simon were crucified on a cross, Bartholomew was skinned alive, Thomas’ body was pulled apart by five horses, James was beheaded, and the other James was cut in half by a sharp saw, I hope you are getting the point. These men live righteous lives in Christ empowered by the Holy Spirit, but they also suffered greatly. Why? Because they believed in an eternal hope far greater than anything they could ever experience on earth.

In Peter’s first letter to the church in Asia Minor he sought to strengthen them in the midst of their suffering. In 1 Peter 3:14, Peter writes “But even if you should suffer for righteousness, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear or be disturbed…” First, we should never be afraid of doing what is right or fearful of the consequences that may follow our obedience to Christ. Second, so what if we suffer for righteousness? We must see suffering as a privilege and an essential part of being living sacrifices for our Lord, because when we do we are blessed. Don’t miss that, we are blessed when we suffer for righteousness. Not for sinful behavior and disobedience, but for a faithful life of serving God and doing what His Word commands.  Finally, we are told not to be afraid or disturbed because the Lord is sovereign over all of over enemies, Satan, and our circumstances.