Those who have known grace should show grace. I buy that. Those whose sins have been forgiven through no merit of their own but only by the finished work of the cross should forgive the sins of others. Makes sense to me. Those who have been blessed should bless. Okay, I can run with that. Those for whom Christ suffered unjustly should be willing to suffer unjustly themselves. What?!? Um . . . let me think about that one for a bit.
For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in His steps.
(1Peter2:19-21 ESV)
A gracious thing . . . a charis quality. That’s how the Spirit describes it — twice.
Enduring suffering and sorrows which have come upon you through no fault of your own. Doing good and yet not being treated very good. That, says Peter, is a gracious thing in the sight of God. What’s more, it’s a thing to which you have been called.
As I think about it, there is a lot about “the call” that is easy to be okay with. Called out of darkness. Called into light. Called to be set apart as saints. Called to be holy. Called to be adopted as full heirs in God’s family. Called to receive an inheritance in heaven. Called to be a messenger of good news. Who’s not up for that call? Who’s not ready to drink abundantly from that fountain of grace?
But called to suffer? And that, unjustly? Hmm . . .
The brothers and sisters Peter wrote to were suffering because they were Christians. Because they had responded to God’s grace and goodness, they were now the subjects of the enemy’s hate and harassment. They were exiled for their faith. And while “leaving town” might have gotten them out of “the frying pan” for a season, they were still in the midst of “the fire.” And the flames were only going to increase– for some, literally!
Yet to endure such unfair and unjust circumstance, when mindful of God, is a gracious thing.
To trust in the provision of the Great Provider in the midst of trial is commendable before the Creator. To remain faithful to Him who is always faithful, is pleasing to the Father. To hang in there, even when the hanging hurts, because you really do believe that all things will work together for good (Rom. 8:28) and know that He will never leave you nor forsake you (Heb. 13:5) is, in and of itself, a sweet-smelling sacrifice to the One who is sovereign.
Not sure the gracious thing necessarily becomes an easy thing when mindful of God, but it does become a doable thing. For His power is made manifest in our weakness (2Cor. 12:9) and His mercies are new every morning (Lam. 3:22-23). And that’s a gracious thing.
A thing only because of His grace. A thing only for His glory.
