Suffering for Doing the Right Thing

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 Suffering for Doing the Right Thing

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:19 (ESV)

19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

Devotion:

            This scripture is meant to be a source of hope to those Christians around the world who undergo mistreatment for the sake of the gospel. The preceding verses speak of “a fiery trial” that is to come upon Christians for the sake of the good news.

This trial is coming because the teachings of Christ are not always seen as good news for those in the world. It calls people to repentance from their sins. It suggests that there is a higher court of justice. One in which their actions will be judged and condemned.

The Christian who suffers for the Gospel, however, can rest assured of their ultimate vindication in front of this higher court. If we will but trust our souls to faithful judge of the world, we know that we have nothing to fear from any human. It is difficult in this world in which we live to trust. I have seen people beaten just because they proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ.

More often than beatings we will have to endure being ignored or mocked for our faith. Still, we must trust our Savior to make things right in front of his throne during the last judgement. We need only to turn our lives over to the just judge and we will be vindicated in the end. Let us all then turn our eyes to Jesus as we see troubled days coming.

Prayer:

            Lord God Almighty help us in times of persecution and trouble to live lives that honor you. We know that whatever we suffer for your sake will be made right in the end. Let us live our lives fearlessly proclaiming the saving love of Jesus. Because we want to help as many people as we possibly can find the narrow way to heaven, help us announce to the world the fact that we know the way of salvation. Amen.

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