1 Peter 2:19-20
"For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly. 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 and patiently endure it, this finds favor with God."
If you live long enough in this world you will suffer unjustly. Much of the suffering in my own life has been the result of others choices rather than my own. These verses in Peter are such and encouragement when we find ourselves and those we love the victims of someone else’s choosing.
For conscience sake toward God we must choose to follow Jesus’s example, because of our love for Him, and knowing this finds favor with Him. We must bear up when suffering unjustly in our sorrows and follow in His steps entrusting our selves to the One who judges righteously.
Mercy triumphs over judgement as I remember all I have been forgiven for. I have learned the love of God and the blood of Jesus will cover any and all sin. Perhaps you are the one who has made terrible mistakes that have affected many others. Know no atrocities are greater than the great love of our God and Savior. You not only can be for given, but cleansed .Though our sins are as scarlet, you can be washed white as snow. (Isaiah 1:18)
Perhaps you are the one who has been wounded and someone else’s victim. The blood of Jesus did not cover only your sin, but also the sin of others. Follow our Savior’s example on the cross.
"Father forgive them; they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34)
In the Lord’s prayer Jesus taught:
"Forgive as you have been forgiven." (Matthew 6:12)
In Matthew 10:8 Jesus tells His disciples:
"Freely you have received; now freely give." (Matthew 10:8)
Let us love our Lord through obedience to the example He left. We shall find favor, but more importantly others will be enabled to see the true character of Christ, and because of the obedience of one many will be saved. Choose to follow Him and be the "one."
"For as by one man’s obedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous."
Romans 5:19
Teresa Roberts
Masterpiece Fitness
276-237-6680
I love scaling to the high places figuratively and spiritually to get a true perspective on life and the indescribable greatness of our God!
(Photo taken at McAfee’s Knob, in Catawba, Va.)