Suffering for Doing Right
Writing on the subject of suffering which invariably follows loyalty to Christ, the Apostles quoted from the Psalm (34:12-17) showing that the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears open to their supplications. With regards to evil, his face is on them.
In the lights of these facts the power of any to harm the followers of God is challenged. One supreme responsibility rest on them, and this is beautifully expressed in the words, "Sanctify in your hearts Christ as Lord". The issues of such loyalty will be that the very persons who revile will be put to shame.
In verses 15-16 the attitude depicted is one of the meekness and fear, yet of readiness. This, however is a Spirit given quality. Recall Christ's admonition.
Whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye; for it is not ye that speak, but the holy ghost. (Mark 13:11)
The summary of the whole passage is,
Be at one
Be loving
Be humble
If suffering comes, let it be not undeserved, let it be for doing good.
PRACTICAL LESSONS
Being in the world and not Of the world
To live in this world without Sin is an impossibility. Jesus knew this fact, and it is no longer then that in closing his tender farewell he commended the disciples to God. He prayed both for himself and for his disciples, and the turned away to tread the winepress alone.
He spoke to His Father of his relationship with the men immediately surrounding Him at the time. His prayers for them was not indifferent to the world, although he prayed at the moment not for the world, but for these men as the instrument by which he would yet reach the world. For them he asked that the might be sanctified in the truth.
Prayers therefore, is something we can't do without in this world. It is only prayers that can keep us from being stained with the sin. We can only be sustained by the power of prayer
God cares for his people
The fact that evil abounds everywhere in the world today does not justify us in practising evil things. We should bear in mind almost always that God is omnipresent and even seeing. He is ever ready to care for those who trust in Him.
We should also remember always that most of the sin we commit have emanated from our thoughts and words. We have therefore to learn to use our tongue well.
James comments on the use of tongue as very appropriate. He gives a fair idea of what a Christian should be like. A Christian, for example knows where to turn for help and guidance. He has control of his tongue and his temper. He sets himself to discover God's standards and to live them out.
Beloved, the only to shine for God is to live a dedicated life that can only give glory to him.
This we can do by the way we relate to others in our everyday living
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