by Timothy W. Burnett
�Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear. Not only to the good and gentle, but also to the forward. For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully� (verses 18-19). The word servant referred to a household servant. It can also apply to any kind of servant. The word forward referred to somebody who was crooked or unfair.
The above scripture will pierce all of our hearts. Haven�t we all dealt with crooked and unfair bosses at one time or another? It can get very frustrating to the end that we rebel against them just to show them a thing or two. Students of all ages might see this in the schools.
We have God�s word to guide us through those situations. Not only does He promise to help and comfort us during those times, but he also exhorts us to be subject to them with all reverence. This may sound like a very difficult thing to do. But when we stay focused on God�s word and let it reign in our hearts, it will work perfectly because we will not be striving in our hearts with them. It all starts from within our hearts.
It goes on to teach us that it is worthy of thanks if people with a conscience focused on God endures grief because they are suffering for having done no wrong. Please notice that it does not say that it is God�s will for us to suffer. Nor is it God�s will for others to make us suffer.
�For what glory is it, if when you be buffeted for your faults, you shall take it patiently? But if when you do well, and suffer for it, you take it patiently, this is acceptable with God� (verse 20). This principle can be applicable for both worldly and spiritual matters of life. There are many examples in the world of people who suffer for acting rightly. It doesn�t necessarily involve Christians.
Spiritually, there are many more examples of God�s people suffering for acting rightly by serving Him. The book of Acts is packed with accounts of Christians suffering for the sake of God�s word and the ministry. Acts chapter seven is about Stephen who was imprisoned and stoned to death for the sake of God�s word.
There is no greater example of suffering for acting rightly than our Lord Jesus Christ. He patiently endured ridicule and beatings by his own people. Standing before the judgment of Pontius Pilate, he endured false accusations by his own people and treated Pilate with respect while also speaking the truth. As the nail ridden whips gashed through his skin hundreds of times and he was beaten by the Roman soldiers, he patiently endured the suffering and pain.
Patiently, he endured the spikes being driven through his hands and feet. While hanging from the cross he still had the mind to make sure his mother would be cared for by one of his disciples. Just as he endured the cross for the hope of his resurrection, so also can we endure suffering for the hope of salvation at the return of Christ Jesus.
1Peter 4:15 shines more light on what is wrongfully, �But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men�s matters.� We might make bad decisions in our lives, and suffer consequences. Or we might find ourselves suffering from being falsely accused of a wrongful act. In other cases people will suffer pain and punishment for acting rightly.
God in heaven is there to help us through our suffering. It�s up to us to let Him in our lives, and let His word continue to abide in our hearts with great peace and comfort. It�s our responsibility to let God�s powerful love reign within our hearts and within the family. That is what guards us and what endures the pain and suffering and heals the broken hearts.
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