suffering for righteousness

Good morning brothers and sisters,
It's been a few days since we read from Peter. He left off exhorting everyone to obey authorities and encouraging slaves to obey their masters even if their masters were abusive. Here he explains why: when we suffer unjust abuse we are following in Christ's footsteps. Christ came into the world with sinners in mind. A big part of the point of his ministry was to take on the evil of this world in his body to free us from its power. That Christian call to non-violence is a hard one, but when we withstand trouble and continue to bless others, violence can give way to healing.

God bless,
Sam

1 Peter 2:19-25

19For it is a credit to you if, being aware of God, you endure pain while suffering unjustly. 20If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, what credit is that? But if you endure when you do right and suffer for it, you have God’s approval. 21For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps.

22 “He committed no sin,
and no deceit was found in his mouth.”
23When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. 24He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 25For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.