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December 31, 2021

Enjoying and Expressing God while Suffering Unjustly (2)

1Pet 2:19 For this is grace, if anyone, because of a consciousness of God, bears sorrows by suffering unjustly. 20 For what glory is it if, while sinning and being buffeted, you endure? But if, while doing good and suffering, you endure, this is grace with God.

[Part 2 of 2] Based upon what he says in verses 19 and 20, Peter goes on to say in verse 21, "For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered on your behalf, leaving you a model that you should follow in His steps." Christ's living on earth was a model of this grace. Verse 21 opens with the words, "For to this you were called." Have you ever thought that you were called to suffer unjustly? The word "this" in verse 21 refers to the unjust sufferings, the suffering for doing good mentioned in verses 19 and 20. We would he happy to hear that we have been called to the kingdom and to God's glory. These are marvelous things. But probably very few of us, whether young or old, have realized from verse 21 that we have been called to suffer unjust treatment. We have been called to enjoy grace and to express God, as described in verses 19 and 20. This means that we have been called to suffering so that in it we may have the enjoyment of God as grace and express Him. Whatever the circumstances may be, God is our grace, our inner enjoyment. This God is our grace. This enjoyment motivates us and then becomes our outward expression, an expression visible to others. Those who observe this grace expressed from within us will be able to see something attractive on our face, in our attitude, or in the atmosphere around us. They will feel that what they see expressed is pleasant and acceptable. As we have pointed out again and again, this is grace. (c) 2007 Living Stream Ministry.

Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Witness Lee, Life-study of First Peter, pp. 179-180. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA. Please visit us at www.emanna.com. Send comments to: [email protected].

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Life-study of 1 Peter