Endurance Under Stress Series

It was one of those dramatic stories. The town ruffian named Big Joe became a Christian. After all the noses he had broken, black eyes he had given the meanest toughest man in town accepts Christ and becomes a changed man.

Now instead of a violent temper he endured patiently, even under stress. Big Joe was a Christian now and would not respond when provoked. But the inevitable happened. One man pushed Big Joe to the limit. He wanted everyone to see that he could taunt the toughest guy in town. This little shrimp called Big Joe names and dared him to respond.

Finally Big Joe being publicly humiliated said, I am a Christian now and the Bible teaches to return good for evil. That is the way I live now. Then Big Joe pointed to that little guy and said I will have you know however, if I ever backslide and revert to my former violent way, you’ll be the first guy I come looking for!

Big Joe had it almost right. Christians are called to return good for evil. They are called to endure patiently under stress; suffering for doing good is commendable to God. But Big Joe was wrong in even making the threat of possible retaliation. We have Jesus example that he made no threats (1 Peter 2:23).

Peter writes to suffering Christians. He did not tell them to stage an uprising. He called them to endure patiently and honor God. Being wronged brings some of the strongest set of human emotions.

When we are wronged we desire the scripture that calls for an eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth. But Jesus says forgive how many times? He says seven times seventy.

1 Peter 2:13-25

13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15 For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. 16 Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. 17 Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.

18 Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. 19 For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. 20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

22 “He committed no sin,

and no deceit was found in his mouth.”

23 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. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Submission to Authority vs. 13-15

Peter tells the suffering Christians to submit yourselves to every authority institution among men; kings governors. The command to submit, obey and be subject to certainly doesn’t encourage Christens to be part of emperor worship which was developing at that time.

There is no doubt that first and foremost the Christian owes allegiances to God, and the Christian is to worship no one or nothing except God. Jesus said render to Caesar the things that are Caesar, but to God the things that are God’s. Submit to government authorities for the Lord’s sake.

Christians are not called to be anarchists but to obey the laws of the land. Paul underscores this in Romans 13:1 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.

You should submit to authorities for the Lord’s sake. Emperor Nero certainly was not the people’s choice for Christians. The believer is not put here to overthrow governments, but to establish Christ in the hearts of people.