Aside | Formats | Daily Encouragement

“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.” (1 Peter 2:23, NIV)

To be Christian is to be like Christ.

Peter provides two clear, practical, snapshots of what it means to be like Christ: Ignoring insults from the “haters”; and making no threat against the agents of suffering and pain.

According to the scriptures, in his early years as a disciple of Jesus, Peter quickly responded to every insult and engaged every opponent. Through faithful discipleship, Peter became less of his impetuous, pugnacious, self; and more like his Master.

To grow in maturity as a Christian means to become more and more like Jesus. A measure of our maturity is the degree to which we are willing to entrust ourselves “to him who judges justly.” – Luther

Tagged book of 1 Peter, Christ-likeness, confidence

December 5

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Uncategorized Aside

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9, NIV)

As a disciple of Jesus, do you think of yourself as chosen? Do you see yourself as a member of a royal priesthood; an intercessor between man and God? Do you consider yourself a citizen of a holy nation? To whom do you belong; are you God’s special possession?

When I was in university, it was not uncommon to encounter students who — outwardly, anyway — looked like the stereotypical poor college student but were, in fact, heirs of family fortunes. It didn’t seem to matter to them whether they dressed-up or dressed-down, because it didn’t change the fact of who they were, or their destiny.

Peter’s words remind us of how God sees everyone — repeat — everyone who bears His name. Don’t sell yourself short, and remain ever mindful of the great gift that God has given you today. – Luther

Tagged book of 1 Peter, divine selection

December 4

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Uncategorized Aside

“As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.” (James 5:11, NIV)

Suffering is the “tax” that all of God’s creatures pay for the corruption of Creation. In a perfect world, suffering would not exist. Yet, our world — though wonderful and good in so many respects — is not perfect.

Suffering is difficult, inconvenient, confounding, and often expensive in time and treasure. If you do not think suffering to be a blessing — you are correct to think so! It is perseverance through suffering that we admire. It is fidelity through adversity that we cheer.

The blessing in perseverance is not the “finish line,” but the course (whether it be an obstacle course, a race course, or a course of study).

Perseverance not only reveals the nature of our character, and improves it; it reveals God’s character for what it has always been: Full of compassion and mercy. – Luther