Making the Most of a Bad Situation
I Peter 2:18-25
ILL.- On Veterans Day a Boulder, Colorado, man parked his car in a metered area. Noting a sign saying “Sundays and Holidays Excepted,” he didn’t put in a coin. But his car was ticketed, and he went to city hall to ask why. It was closed for the holiday except for the police department, where an officer told him Veterans Day wasn’t a holiday as far as parking was concerned. So the man said he’d pay the fine.
But the officer refused his money. “You can’t pay your fine today,” he said. “City hall is closed today because this is a holiday.” TALK ABOUT INJUSTICE!
Wouldn’t that just burn you? That’s not fair.
If you live in this world (and you do) you will experience some unjust suffering. Life is unjust. Upon accepting an award, the late Jack Benny once remarked, “I really don’t deserve this. But I have arthritis, and I don’t deserve that either.”
Let’s go back into I Peter and see the situation as he describes it.
The word Peter uses here for slaves in verse 18, is not the usual word for slaves. It has a broader meaning – so both slaves and servants are addressed. Really this is addressing anyone who is not – the boss,
AND in verse 19 he lays down a more general principle, which applies to all believers. Peter is addressing a general concept of service – rather than the institution of slavery.
Slavery in Roman times was much different than slavery in America. It certainly wasn’t built upon race. Though a majority of slaves came from conquered nations, and children of slaves….many people sold themselves into slavery, it might actually be considered a step up for them. They might be able to live in a house with better accommodations than people who lived on the streets. That means they would get to sleep inside. They would be fed, and they would be given clothing.
And it wasn’t just the menial tasks were performed by slaves. Some doctors, teachers, musicians, secretaries were slaves. In fact pretty much all the work in Rome was done by slaves. Unless you had a lot of money, in Rome, you were a slave. Not every slave had a miserable life, many slaves were loved and trusted and were thought of as part of the family.
Now since Peter is addressing servants in relation to their masters we’re going to apply this teaching to today’s workplace—and that shouldn’t twist the passage too much. Do workers today suffer unjustly? Sure. So, even if Peter is talking about slaves here, he is not talking about slavery. He is telling us how to live our Christian life, in a Godly manner; in whatever circumstances we find ourselves in, especially when we are in difficult circumstance.
Look at their bad situation:
Vs. 18 they are unreasonable, NIV says harsh…actually it means crooked!
Vs. 19 bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly
This passage is about righteous conduct in an unrighteous society – like America. Doing the right thing- when people are not doing the right thing to you. Treating others well – even when they don’t treat you well. Now let me be clear; Peter doesn’t say don’t get out of a bad situation. I think he would agree, if you’re in a bad situation, work on getting out of it. But while you are in that situation – live in a Godly manner. Being in a bad situation in life is not an excuse for bad conduct. If these slaves acted rebelliously, they would ruin their opportunity to worship and probably ruin any hope of reaching their world for Jesus Christ.
Is Peter’s message practical for us today? It sure is. We are here to serve Jesus Christ in everything we do. Whether our life circumstances right now are great, or our life circumstances are bad and getting worse. Whether people are treating us right, or they are completely unfair, we still are to act as righteous people.
There is a way to be joyful in the midst of trials. It is not being happy about the trouble. It is finding joy in what the trouble produces. It is enjoying the sweet fruit produced only by bitter times.
One of the writers of the Psalms, when he was a slave in Babylonia asked the question: “How can I sing the songs of Zion in a strange land?” How can I be happy when I’m in exile? How can I have peace and joy?
How are we supposed to act when treated poorly?
I. Vs. 18 be submissive
Notice that vs. 19 says, “for the sake of conscience toward God” = you are doing it for God’s sake. You are serving God. You are living in the sight of God. You are accountable to God. Submit to your boss as though you were submitting to God.
There would obviously be times when they would be forced to do unpleasant things. They were supposed to do it with a pleasant attitude and not rebellious or cranky.
Colossians 3:22 “Slaves, submit, not with external service as those who merely try to please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.”
By the way, asserting your rights is not wrong. But we have become a society that is dominated by this assertion—and Christians have been just as guilty as non-Christians. We have been guilty of lawsuits and strikes and litigations…and we’re more like the world and less like Jesus Christ.
II. Vs. 18 be respectful – without bitterness or negativity..respecting their position
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you refers to treating others with the same respect that you would want if you were the boss.
I read this story about respect…Clark Clifford was a special advisor to a number of presidents, including Harry S. Truman. In his memoirs, Clifford wrote:
Every morning at 8:30 the President would have a staff meeting. One day the mail clerk brought in a lavender envelope with a regal wax seal and flowing purple ribbons. Opening it, the President found a letter from King Ibn Saud of Saudi Arabia, whose salutation began, “Your Magnificence.”
“Your Magnificence,” Truman repeated, laughing. “I like that. I don’t know what you guys call me when I’m not here, but it’s okay if you refer to me from now on as ‘His Magnificence.’”
As part of the day’s business, Truman sent a message to the United Nations supporting the admission of 100,000 Jews into Palestine. Soon afterward he received a second letter from King Ibn Saud. This one began: “Dear Mr. President.” So much for respect.
Ephesians 6:5-9
III. Vs. 19 bear up = endure. Vs. 20 patiently endure
This means that your situation doesn’t get any better. It goes on day after day and week after week. It is a long struggle and there doesn’t seem to be any relief. But God says, “Patiently endure…put up with for a long time.” But remember, patience and long-suffering grace re products of the Spirit’s work in your life. Nobody is telling you to just put up with this on your own. Allow that long-term struggle to be the place where God can build in you long-term strength. Instead of saying, “God, I don’t know how much longer I can hang on,” say, “God, I need MORE strength to hang on because this doesn’t’ seem to be letting up…I need MORE patience and more long-term joy.”
ILL.- Someone asked C.S. Lewis, "Why do the righteous suffer?" "Why not?" he replied.
"They’re the only ones who can take it."
We can take suffering better than most people because we know something better is coming.
Romans 8:18 "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us."
II Cor. 4:16-18 "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that ...
Notice that this grace, this patiently “taking it”, is what pleases God. When we turn to God and ask for more endurance instead of asking to get out, God says, “Yes, now we are getting somewhere. I like THAT attitude!”
IV. Vs. 21 understand that we have been called for this purpose—not called to suffer, but called to be His witnesses, called to demonstrate to the unsaved world what God is like. See Luke 6:31-36 Be merciful as your Father is merciful. Called to show the world, called to be His advertising.
Sharing the gospel doesn’t always mean talking to people about three easy steps to find salvation. Sometimes it is what 2:12 says, “Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles.” That is also sharing the gospel. This is God’s purpose for you.
Matthew 5:13-16 you have been called to be a light, set on a hill, so they can see God fleshed out in human form—through your life.
Look at it this way…I Corinthians 7:21,22 says, if you were a slave when you got saved, don’t try to get out of being a slave. Stay there. See yourself as a plant, an infiltrator. Maybe God called you specifically so you could be His representative in that particular workplace. Maybe God called you specifically so that you could show your cruel boss or co-workers what Godliness is all about. Maybe that is why you’ve been called for this purpose!
ILL.- Adoniram Judson, the renowned missionary to Burma, endured untold hardships trying to reach the lost for Christ. For 7 heartbreaking years he suffered hunger and privation. During this time he was thrown into Ava Prison, and for 17 months was subjected to almost incredible mistreatment. As a result, for the rest of his life he carried the ugly marks made by the chains and iron shackles which had cruelly bound him.
Undaunted, upon his release he asked for permission to enter another province where he might resume preaching the Gospel.
The godless ruler indignantly denied his request, saying, “My people are not fools enough to listen to anything a missionary might SAY, but I fear they might be impressed by your SCARS and turn to your religion!”
We’ve been called to suffer like Christ did. John 15:20 says that the servant is not above His master—if the master suffers, why shouldn’t we willingly follow His example?
V. Vs. 22 follow Christ’s example
Christ is the example, the model for how we should react. Until we’ve established that Christ will be our model, we’ve got no business demanding our rights. Until we as Christians decide we’re going to act like Christ, we’re not being obedient to God.
Notice this: God didn’t call you so He could spoil you like a coddled child; so He could make your life comfortable and happy. You were called to follow the example the One who suffered for you. Do you do that?
No deceit…did not revile in return. This is what vs. vs. 22-25 are all about. Christ suffered AND DIED for us…and we are whimpering about unfair treatment at work. Christ was crucified on a cross and mocked and spit at…and we whine and want to get out of a job because someone said something untrue about us.
Here’s a new word for you. We have been called to “cruciform” living. That is, living our lives according to the example of Christ on the cross. Those people who mocked Christ and those people who pounded the nails into his hands and feet—Christ died for them, too. Romans 5:8 says that it was while we were sinners Christ died for us. Then Romans 5:10 calls us enemies of the cross. We’re going to face a lot of enemies of the cross in our lifetime. Christ didn’t call the angels of heaven to get him off the cross because times got tough. Christ didn’t call on God to get Him out of that job and get Him into a better one. Christ stayed there and died for us. We need to live our lives according to the form of the crucifixion—cruciform living. Following Christ’s example of how to endure suffering—Hebrews 12:2 tells us that he endured the cross because of the joy set before Him. He had a satisfied attitude when He died for us. We need to guard our attitude while we endure hardship here on earth.
Vs. 22 commit no sin; speak no deceit
Vs. 20 says there is no virtue in suffering if you’ve sinned. You should expect punishment if
you’ve sinned. Being in a bad situation is not an excuse for bad conduct. Don’t give
them an excuse to point out your sin. Don’t give them an excuse for pointing out your
mouth.
VI. Vs. 23 do not revile or threat in return –
Matthew 5:38,39 “You’ve heard that it has been said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth;’ but I say to you—do not resist an evil person, but whosoever hits you on the right cheek, turn the other to him also.” This teaching of Jesus has been hard for people to understand. It has become the object of jokes, but Jesus was very serious when He told us to turn the other cheek.
Responding with like action is satisfying. It is vindicating. It is cathartic—it feels good. But it is not Christ-like. It might be legal. It might be justified. But it is not what God has called us to do and to be. Christ wants us to exhibit love and grace, not hatred and revenge. Christ wants us to exhibit patience and tolerance, not a quick temper.
Proverbs 20:22 says, “Do not say I will repay evil. Wait for Jehovah, and he will save you.”
And that leads to the last point:
VII. Vs. 23 keep entrusting yourself to God
Romans 12:16-21 – let God take the vengeance. Your responsibility is to keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles. Trust God to work it out.
This involves complete faith that God can make lemonade out of lemons…that God knows what injustices are happening…that God has purposes and plans (that may involve suffering for us!). For we know that God works all things together for His good, to them who are called according to His purpose! (Romans 8:28)
Fred Craddock, in an address to ministers, caught the practical implications of consecration. “To give my life for Christ appears glorious,” he said. “To pour myself out for others…to pay the ultimate price of martyrdom—I’ll do it. I’m ready, Lord, to go out in a blaze of glory.
“We think giving our all to the Lord is like taking $l,000 bill and laying it on the table— ‘Here’s my life, Lord. I’m giving it all.’ But the reality for most of us is that he sends us to the bank and has us cash in the $l,000 for quarters. We go through life putting out 25 cents here and 50 cents there. Listen to the neighbor kid’s troubles instead of saying, ‘Get lost.’ Go to a committee meeting. Give a cup of water to a shaky old man in a nursing home. Usually giving our life to Christ isn’t glorious. It’s done in all those little acts of love, 25 cents at a time. It would be easy to go out in a flash of glory; it’s harder to live the Christian life little by little over the long haul.”
It is more important that Christ’s followers be people of integrity than people who live well.
It is more important that God’s people display God’s grace than people who demand their rights.
It is more important that Christians are known for their grace and patience than for their success and
business skills.
It is more important that Jesus Christ be lifted up than for me to get out of a bad situation.
