by Timothy W. Burnett
Acting rightly can be viewed in different ways. In the patriotic world, people can be punished in our country for their struggle in the cause of political freedom. The people who strove and fought for freedom during the American rebellion against the British king suffered punishment for doing what a small percentage of people perceived to be the right thing.
In the related scripture God defines acting rightly as a spiritual matter which was exemplified in the suffering of our Lord Jesus Christ up to the time of his death. It says, �For even hereunto were you called. Because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow his steps� (verse 21).
Jesus Christ suffered for acting rightly as God defined it. We can understand this by reading the Gospels and noting what he did during his ministry. He taught the truth to many people. Miracles and wonders were done by his hands according to the power of God. Many people were healed. He comforted and exhorted others unto a better way. Even against great adversarial conditions from the religious leadership, God�s word was not held back from his lips.
�Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth. Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again. When he suffered, he threatened not. But committed himself to Him that judges righteously� (verses 22-23). Even during the time of his greatest suffering, Jesus Christ did not act in a manner that was against God�s will. Nor did he speak with the subtlety of the devil.
Get this�when he was railed on and abused by both the religious leaders and the Roman soldiers, he did not throw it back at them. Furthermore, when he suffered greatly, he did not threaten his enemies. Why? Because he trusted in and committed himself to his Father in heaven who judges righteously. What an utterly perfect example for us.
�Who his own self bare our sins in his own body, on the tree. That we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness. By whose stripes you were healed. For you were as sheep going astray, but are now returned to the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls� (verses 24-25).
The same man who is our perfect example of how to handle suffering and wrong punishment for acting rightly, is the same man who suffered so that we might live unto righteousness. As we learn from Romans 10:9-10 about righteousness, with the heart we believe that God raised Jesus from the dead unto righteousness. The first record of this coming to pass can be found in Acts 2:4 where they were filled with holy spirit.
Please notice in 1Peter 2:21 it says, �Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example.� Jesus could be an example because he was a man of flesh and blood. Jesus Christ had feelings like any other man. He cried, laughed, and was compassionate. He even got upset at times. Tears poured from him while praying about his dear and close friend Lazarus.
We can be assured that he felt the worst of pain every time the whips, sticks, thorns and spikes gouged through his skin. Yet, he patiently endured with the hope that his Father would raise him from the dead. And God did not forsake him, but raised him from the dead with a new body that would live forever.
In the name of Jesus Christ, God�s born again children have the same hope of everlasting life in heaven. Also, during the period of time recorded in Revelations, innumerable saints will have the hope of the resurrection and everlasting life in paradise with the 144,000 resurrected people of Israel.
This is how we can endure great hardship and suffering for the sake of God�s word and the ministry.
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