Just Keep Doing Good

These two are learning to do good in the world. 
Here they were helping to plant the garden. 

Scripture:

1Pet. 4:12    Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. ¹³ But rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed. ¹⁴ If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory, which is the Spirit of God, is resting on you. ¹⁵ But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, a criminal, or even as a mischief maker. ¹⁶ Yet if any of you suffers as a Christian, do not consider it a disgrace, but glorify God because you bear this name. ¹⁷ For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God; if it begins with us, what will be the end for those who do not obey the gospel of God? ¹⁸ And

“If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,

what will become of the ungodly and the sinners?”

¹⁹ Therefore, let those suffering in accordance with God’s will entrust themselves to a faithful Creator, while continuing to do good.

Observation:

The believers of the first century were finding themselves at odds with the culture. Peter didn’t think that they ought to be surprised by this situation, because it was inevitable. If people were going to follow Jesus Christ and live into the transforming work of the Holy Spirit, they would be different. Therefore, if they did suffer for their faith, they could rejoice, because it meant that they truly were different, and in this way the glory of God would be revealed. That’s why he says that they could be glad and shout for joy. 

Earlier Peter had talked about the value of speaking blessings over one another. When the world reviles you because of Christ, you may claim it as a spoken word of blessing. Far too often the world doesn’t realize that what they are saying is actually an affirmation of the work of God in the life of the believer. 

Next, he goes on to clarify the difference between being reviled for doing good and for actually participating in sin. God’s people are not supposed to be engaging in murder, theft, or criminal behavior — nor are they to be out stirring up trouble. This is not working for Christ. However, if you are persecuted for Christlike behaviors, then you can rejoice. Our eyes are not supposed to be on others and their judgment, but may God help those called by the name of Christ to be faithful followers. All the while, God’s people are to continue to do good. 

Application:

This advice from Peter is powerful and an encouragement to us today. It is also quite specific in terms the of the behaviors in which we are to be engaged. Anything that is Christlike is encouraged, even if it is counter-cultural. Jesus continually went about doing good, even when it got him in trouble. This was mostly on the Sabbath day, or when healing someone might make him unclean. Jesus did good, even when others thought he was wrong. His doing good always resulted in helping others. 

Even when we are misunderstood, we need to continue to do good. Living into the life of a Christlike disciple is the challenge that remains before us every day. This includes adopting a lifestyle that reflects the nature and character of Jesus Christ. The way that we live our lives ought to be a testimony to the work of Christ in us. Therefore, even when you may not be appreciated for what you are doing — keep on doing good! 

Prayer:

Lord, I pray that my life might be a living testimony to your work in and through me. Amen.