13 Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. 19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
Most people I know do not like to suffer. But we live in a very strange world and maybe a few of you actually do like to suffer. St Peter reminds us that there are times when we will suffer justly. When our parents discipline us for what we have done wrong. When we get a speeding ticket. Even when we may not have met a deadline, we suffer justly.
But there are other times when we do not desire our suffering. There are times when we feel like we have done nothing to deserve such treatment. In these times you may remember that you are a sinner and therefore you are suffering because you are a sinner. All suffering in the world is because of sin (not necessarily a one to one comparison).
St Peter tells us there will be times when we suffer for doing something good. Have you ever suffered for doing something good? I can think of a few personal times when I suffered on account of doing something good or nice. St Peter tells us to suffer gladly.
Every time we suffer, remember the suffering of Christ. Christ suffered for good. He was killed by the civil and religious authorities. He was killed by those in authority over him. In his suffering he bore our sins in his own body and was cursed by a death of hanging on the tree. It is through his suffering, God heals you.
God will allow you to suffer for your sins. God will allow you to suffer on behalf of the sins of others. God will allow you to suffer and in your suffering point you to your Good Shepherd who suffers with you. He suffered and endured through that suffering. He remains with you always so you may endure suffering. He is risen from the dead. He lives and reigns to continue to call you home to your Shepherd and Father.
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