I love it when things are fair, don’t you? I mean I seem to be “wired” for things to go right all the time.
Jesus said, however, as long as we live in the world we can expect difficulties; a certain amount of persecution. As courageous Christians, how will we respond to the unfair situations and circumstances in life? It certainly will take us leaving our human perspective and reaching for a divine perspective, because just accepting the unfair things in life seems to go against our created “soul grain.”
During difficult and unfair times, we need to remember that we serve an all-knowing God; He knows what is going on in our lives. We serve a God of justice. Our call is to live honestly before the Lord and our “neighbors.” When we honor that call we probably limit many difficulties right there. What about the other times, however, when we are seeking to live righteously in Christ and situations still get very unfair? We then need to maintain a courageous spirit when responding to the trial. Let’s look at some valuable insight from God’s Word for times such as these (I Peter 3:14-17):
1. I know it’s hard, but God wants us to look at ourselves as being blessed at these times. “But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed” (I Peter 3:14a).
2. Our response is to be filled with faith; cast down fear. “And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled” (I Peter 3:14b).
3. We must claim the blood of Jesus and make Christ Lord over the situation. “But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts” (I Peter 3:15a).
4. Witness to our hope in Christ’s salvation. “Always be ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence” (I Peter 3:15b).
5. Make sure we have a clear conscience. “And keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame” (I Peter 3:16).
Peter goes on to say that it is “…better if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong (I Peter 3:17). We were created to live courageously for the glory of God. Let’s press on no matter what tries to come against us.