ARE YOU GROWING (9)

*WISDOM FOR TODAY.*

*ARE YOU GROWING (9)*

*Scripture Treasure.*

1 Pet 2:19-23

v19  *For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.*

v20  *For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.*

v21  *For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:*

v22  *Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:*

v23  *Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:*

*Insight and Highlight.*

Christian maturity and ego.

*Scripture Commentaries.*

Peter tells us one the most often felt pains people go through in life. This is when they are treated unjustly.

One of the best examples of imbalance and if not the most indicator of a lawless, corrupt and repressive society is injustice.

In social, civic and other constitutional administration, it is called injustice.

However, in the Kingdom, Peter mentioned that *".....if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully."* it is thanksworthy to God (1 Pet 2:19).

The height of any believer's maturity is measured and known by how well he is able to endure grief, injustice, insults etc.

Today people are at their worst level of mannerisms. These people make the careless Christian realize they have an ego to protect afterall. They lose sense of Christlikeness and replace it with ego.

So rather than lose their sense of self-esteem, self-importance, and conscious identity (ego), the Christian begins to fight and often make use of carnal avenues and weapons.

Meekness is best defined by power under control. In other words the person insulted has the power to fight and destroy his enemies but he has chosen not to exercise such power.

Peter' statements in today's text teaches that enduring unjust suffering for doing right is spiritually commendable, unlike suffering for faults we commit.

Suffering according to 1 Pet 2:19-23 is viewed as a form of grace or favour with God.

Peter tells us that we ought to be encouraged as believers to follow the example of Christ, who suffered unjustly.

He teaches us that we have no credit for

enduring punishment for our own wrong actions but obtain credit and commendation before God if we suffer for what we did not do and his writing is most

relevant specifically to masters or authorities.

In these passages of Peter, every fruit of the Spirit, other than meekness, is there.

Paul says

Galatians 5:22-23 *But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,*

*Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.*

He encourages all Christians to be patient.

Every insult, injustices are fightable but are better left to God for justice.

He writes in 1 Pet 2: 23 that Christ *Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:*

Some so called Christians are entangled in the battle for justice and this often leads to repressive, aggressive and unchristian attitude.

Good fights are difficult to fight when they are fought by immature Christian, (ref 2 Tim 4:7).

Paul warns us against lawsuits against one another, 1 Cor 6:1-8. He argues that such litigation represents a failure in spiritual maturity.

Some Christians lack self-control and are so soon to anger.

Some are so full of ego, self importance. They are preoccupied with protecting their ego than the sacredness of their calling.

'Do you know who l am?' has replaced 'Who does Christ say l am?"

The bible has ceased to be their standard. Ego has been their standard.

You know a mature Christian by how much injustices he can take in rather than how much justice he is willing to fight for by himself leaving those Christ has sent him to protect as victims.

The price of Christian maturity is high.

The mature Christian must pause to ask 'What did Jesus do when he was insulted"?

"What would Jesus say if l reacted to this unjustly comment made against me".

Christ's integrity is at stake when we fight to ensure that we will not take suffering patiently.

Whether or not you fight, the justice you get before man really means nothing to God if you refuse to be patient with your adversaries.

You can not fight forever. God knows it all.

Remember James 1:20, you can not fight for God.

James teaches us *For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.*

God knows the Christian is angry when he is insulted but he says, according to James, a man's anger can not defend the righteousness God deserves!

Not retaliating is Christian maturity and it is Christlike!

Are you growing?

*Remorse corner.*

We know you are growing as a mature Christian when you choose to let God avenge for you.

*Call to Word action.*

Christ is not teaching injustice nor is Peter writing that we accept people treating us unfairly. He is rather calling on Christians to endure unjust, personal mistreatment with patience. Following Christ’s example of not retaliating.

*The Christian clarion duty.*

Entrusting unjust suffering to God as the final judge and as the ultimate model who did not sin or retaliate when insulted or when suffering is the highest indicator of Christian maturity.

*Prayer.*

Lord, help me not find myself fighting against You while thinking l am fighting against man, in Jesus name.

Good morning all and have a blessed day.

God bless you.

Shalom.