“The Just Shall Live By Faith”
New King James Version Written by: David Hicks
Romans 1:17 “ For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."
Galatians 3:11 “But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for "the just shall live by faith."
Hebrews 10:38 “Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him."
“Articles of Faith”
(A Study in I Peter)
Lesson 7- To This You Were Called:
Learning subjection was the theme of our last lesson. This brought us to the idea of receiving abuse from those whom we are in subjection, when it is not deserved. Peter would describe this abuse as suffering. Since the majority of us have never seen or experienced the extent of the abuse that many of these Christians knew, we sometimes have a difficult time making the appropriate connection with submission and suffering as a Christian.
Before we begin with the realities of the illustration Peter will offer as an example of exactly what it means to submit and to suffer; there are some things that we must completely understand concerning this subject.
The Bible describes three kinds of suffering: punitive suffering , punishment for a mistake or error a person has committed; innocent suffering , that which is un-merited; and redemptive suffering , that which is on behalf of others. There are seven different Greek words that describe suffering in the New Testament ( 1. Suffering as general expression - 2. suffering long or having patience – 3. suffering loss – 4. suffering need – 5. suffering persecution – 6. suffering shame – 7. suffering violence- *See Bottom ). This should indicate to the Bible student in and of itself, the realism involved with this subject.
The fact of the matter is that every man has suffered in this life, since he was banished from the Garden of God . It has accompanied his every existence while here on earth as a reminder of the tragic separation from the paradise offered by God. Suffering then, acts as a constant reminder that this life is not everything, thus the godly suffer right alongside the wicked. The difference lies in the concept that the godly live and suffer here for the hope of a reunion with God, after this life (This is described by Ezekiel. Even though there were righteous men in the land, they suffered right along with the wicked during Israel 's captivity. The difference is that the righteous found deliverance via their righteous practice, regardless of their environment – Ezekiel 14:12-23 ).
The book of Job is a documentary on the use God makes of suffering. It is a refining process that tempers the godly and strengthens them to look past this life and the follies it contains. This was the great summary of the preacher, at the end of Ecclesiastes . The Apostles of Jesus rejoiced after they had been beaten for the cause of Christ. They rejoiced that they had been found worthy to suffer for the name of Christ (they looked past this life – see: Acts 5:40-42 ). In addition note what James says concerning suffering:
James 1:2-4 “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience . 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”
I watch in shock, as TV evangelists promise a physical blessing to those who let the Savior into their lives. This is not to say that there are not blessings that accompany a true obedient disciple, but they are all spiritual ( Ephesians 1:1-14 ), and are wrapped tightly together in faith, hope and love. However, this is not what these so-called evangelists are suggesting. People seeking fame, fortune, or power will not find it in Christ. They will however, find contentment in what ever state they are in ( Philippians 4:11 ).
Brethren, the reality of our calling cannot be made more evident than in the text we are about to examine. I pray that the image of our Savior and His pattern sinks in deep and a dramatic examination of our lives and service takes place.
Text:
1 Peter 2:21-25
“ For to this you were called , because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps :
22 "Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth";
23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; 24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness --by whose stripes you were healed. 25 For you were like sheep going astray , but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”
For To This You Were Called: Here is the realism that exists for every disciple of Christ; they are called to suffer. The interesting thing is that if the wicked suffer right along with the righteous (thus all men suffer), how are the disciples of Christ called to suffer. The difference is that we suffer for Christ, thus for hope and for redemption in a reunion with God. The wicked suffer without hope!
In addition, we suffer doing good (that which is righteous and moral). This is the area where the world perceives that Christians give up to much; as they cannot separate the worldly lusts that war against them.
The fact is that Christians have learned to enjoy any and all godly temporal blessings as an added blessing conducted while living and looking forward to our eternal home. However, it is in the realm of suffering that the disciples of Christ are far better prepared to endure. Whatever befalls us in this life, we know it to be temporary. If we are truly grounded in faith and hope, suffering simply refines our resolve to be with our God and Savior through patience and endurance.
See: Acts 14:22 ; Romans 8:17 ; Philippians 1:29 ; II Timothy 3:12
Follow His Steps: The Lord does not require His followers to bear any burden that is greater than He carried Himself, thus He set the example by going through the severest of sufferings. Keep in mind that His suffering was un-merited and redemptive in nature (He did not deserve His punishment, yet He resolved to accept it for the good of men and to the glory of God). This is the kind of suffering that Christians are called to cheerfully accept for His sake.
The quote from Isaiah and the following commentary on the attitude in which Jesus accepted His suffering are given so that we who are imperfect can find the strength to endure un-just treatment.
Likewise, virtually anyone would agree that He had the ability to denounce the unjust sentence inflicted on Him, yet rather than denounce their cruelty, He prayed for them ( Luke 23:34 ). We also have the ability to complain about the injustices that befall us in this life, however, rather than waste energy on such fruitless activity, like Jesus, we should resign ourselves to a more godly path and effort.
Committed Himself to God: True justice can never be anticipated or expected in this life. However, no injustice will escape the righteous judgment of God. No one will get away with anything, once faced with Him who knows all. Our justice in the face of unjust tribulations lies in the determination to be righteous in the face of unrighteousness, to be reunited with God, while our persecutors find separation (See: Luke 16:19-31 – for an illustration). Thus, like the Christ, we must commit ourselves to God, and concern ourselves with the deeds done in our body, while leaving justice to Him.
Like Jesus, much of our suffering will come due to the fact that we submit to God above all else.
Might Live For Righteousness: When Jesus died on the tree of the cross, He became a perfect sacrifice that provided remission of sins for all who will accept it on the Lords' terms. Those terms require that a man become dead to sin, which denotes that he become separate from a life of sin, followed up with a life of righteousness.
Since it was suffering that brought about the opportunity to experience life from sin, it is through suffering that we perfect a life of righteousness.
Were Sheep Going Astray: All mankind went astray from God and have been lost in the wilderness of sin ( Romans 3:23 ). Here Peter represents these disciples of Christ as the wandering sheep, lost in the wilderness, which heard the voice of the Shepherd and returned to safety. In the same fashion as the great Shepherd and Guardian of our souls, we will be glorified, not in this life, but at the end of our journey in this life.
Christians are richly blessed with all things that pertain to life and godliness. This enables us to understand the great and precious promises of our God through Christ Jesus ( II Peter 1:1-4 ). It is in the realization of these great promises that we find joy in this life. It is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not yet seen ( Hebrews 11:1 ), that provides strength, perseverance, and comfort from the tribulations in this life.
So very often we only associate suffering with physical abuse (as suggested in the master and slave relationship, which started this conversation), however, suffering for the cause of Christ can take on many varied applications (as suggested in the opening). In understanding these variations we can uniformly apply the illustrated solution given here by Peter.
One of the greatest forms of suffering that the majority of Christians experience is the disassociation from all who practice worldliness. This also was evident and illustrated in the life of Jesus, who was ridiculed in His own home town and by His own family, yet, He never wavered in His service to His Father. He never attempted to appease them, or give in just a little to their choices and practices. He ate with sinners, yet never practiced their error.
When our nation practices immorality, we suffer. When our co-workers mock our piety, we suffer. When so-called Christians knowingly preach and teach error, we suffer. When we practice things that violate our conscience, we should suffer (just to name a few). Suffering is as much a mental detriment as any physical.
We need to take heart in this. Consider that on every occasion that the church was persecuted in the book of Acts , it grew! Take heart, as Peter says if we are doing it right, we suffer! It is when we are not in conflict with this life, we should be concerned!
Remember that at the heart of this lesson is the understanding that the promises of God were not made to benefit our mortal station. They were given that we apart from everyone else might be better prepared for the inevitable injustices of this life, living for our hope (the theme of this letter).
* ( 1 ) Romans 8:18 ; II Corinthians 1:7 ; Colossians 1:24 ; I Peter 5:9 – ( 2 ) Romans 9:22 ; II Corinthians 6:6 ; Galatians 5:22 ; Ephesians 4:2 ; II Timothy 4:2 ; James 5:10 – ( 3 ) I Corinthians 3:15 ; Philippians 3:8 – ( 4 ) Philippians 4:12 – ( 5 ) Romans 12:14 ; I Corinthians 4:12 ; II Corinthians 4:9 ; Revelation 12:13 – ( 6 ) Acts 5:41 – ( 7 ) Matthew 11:12
Next: “ Husbands and Wives ”