** Sorry about the lack of spaces between the paragraphs - I have no idea why it won't let me put them in...it drives me crazy!
“For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering, because he is conscious of God.”
The Greek word for “commendable” in verse 19 literally means, “grace”. In Luke 6:32-34 the same Greek word is used in the same way and can best be translated as “favor before God”. So those who are willing to suffer unjustly, or innocently, will find favor with God. That’s not all bad.
When I was typing out this passage, “because he is conscious of God” jumped off the page at me. Why would being conscious of God allow me to handle unjust suffering? We will delve into the answer to that question in a couple of days, but in short, those of us who are conscious of God – who know God and keep Him in mind daily – know that He is a God who judges justly. While we may be suffering unjustly at the moment, we know that God will make it right. Romans 12:19 sums it up:
“Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.”
So…are you conscious of God? Do you take Him with you when you leave the house, or do you leave Him on the nightstand with your bible? Is He part of your daily decision making? Do you leave room for God to defend you or do you leap to your own defense at the first hint of a slight?
Peter calls us to accept unjust punishment because he knows that God will defend us. It is our job to deny our rights, handle the poor treatment, and wait for God’s deliverance. Not an easy task…but in the end, we will find favor with God!
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