The world is watching (1 Peter Inductive Bible Study by Sue Edwards)

So many things about Christianity run counter-culture to the world.  Love your enemies?  Bless those who curse you?  Repay evil with kindness?  Yes, those things are difficult to do and comprehend in this world.  That's the point, though, isn't it?  We are called to be different, to defy worldliness, and to shine as lights so that others may find Christ.  The lesson this week is from 1 Peter 2:11-25, which addresses how we are to live amongst the non-believers in this world.

For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.  

^{1 Peter 2:15}

Sometimes I get caught up in wanting to right the wrongs done to me, to fix injustices.  For many years as a young woman I struggled with anger.  A lot of it was based on being a female in a male-dominated society.  Righteous indignation?  Yes, but I didn't always express it in a righteous way.  It's easy to forget that non-believers are watching us as we are ambassadors for Jesus.  That's a hefty responsibility and I feel inadequate to the task.  However, as these verses in 1 Peter affirm, God has called us to that responsibility and His strength in us will equip us.

For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. ²⁰ But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. ²¹ To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 

There are times when I could easily fall back into those old patterns of thinking, especially as I see that my daughters will face the same challenges and more as they grow up.  I want to give them the tools to fight these battles in a godly way -- with prayer and faith and hope.  I want them to know their worth in Christ.

²² “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.”   ²³ When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. ²⁴ “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” ²⁵ For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

This lesson concludes with a "Living Stones" true story about a mother and daughter in China who were imprisoned for being Christians.  While in prison, the 5 year old daughter cried because she was frightened.  The mother agreed to renounce Christ so that she could be set free from jail.  When the daughter asked why her mother had done it, the mother said she did it out of love for her.  The daughter then said that Jesus would not be happy with that and that she would not cry if they were arrested again.  When they were later arrested for proclaiming Christ again, the little girl did not cry, but endured the imprisonment.  I cannot imagine the persecution that other Christians in the world face on a daily basis.  I cannot imagine the faith and wisdom of a little girl who has realized that the suffering of this world is temporary and it is only what we do for Christ that remains.  It is so humbling to me and I feel foolish for worrying about insignificant things.  Praise Jesus for healing my wounds!

Is your faith as strong as that little girl's?  Are you living it out daily so that the world can see to Whom you belong?  Will you join me in praying for the persecuted church around the world today?  They are our brothers and sisters!  Remember that the world is watching!




Note: I received a copy of 1 Peter by Sue Edwards from Kregel Publishing in order to participate in this nine week Bible study, for which I am grateful!