“Christ also suffered . . the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God.” 1 Peter 3:18 NKJV
“Suffering is rarely by choice, and not always by cause.”
My thoughts today are about “suffering unjustly.”
There is too much suffering in this world; for some, it is what they are justly due, the natural consequence of their disregard of God and mistreatment of others; for others their suffering is unjust. In the world, some people suffer simply because they were born in the wrong country, or wrong part of that country, or of a different race or culture than others, or born into a family of poverty or illiteracy. Life for them is hard, often life-long and lastingly unjust. Their struggle and suffering are not the result of anything they have done wrong, only the outcome of things they didn’t choose and couldn’t change. That seems unfair in anyone’s estimation.
Ever feel you got a bad deal you didn’t deserve? Well, your suffering was most likely on a far lesser scale than that I described above, but still you felt the sting of suffering unjustly. Innocent but treated as though guilty. Maybe at school you were punished for something you didn’t do. Or maybe at work, you were blamed for someone else’s mistake. Often, proving innocence is harder than proving guilt. The Bible says, “The way of transgressors is hard.” Proverbs 13:15 KJV. Does it seem to you that sometimes the opposite is true?
David wrestled with the big question, the unfairness of why the righteous suffer while the wicked appear to prosper. Read Psalm 73:1-26 NLT. David only understood when he “went into the sanctuary of God (and) understood their destiny.” vs.17. I think about everybody ponders that question at one time or another; haven’t you? If you have not, you just have not suffered unjustly enough yet.
Suffering is rarely by choice, and not always by cause. I would venture that none of us suffer unjustly very well, or without complaint. “Yet it is better . . to suffer for doing good than for evil doing.” 1 Peter 3:17 NIV. This week the church celebrates Easter, the literal – not figurative – resurrection of Jesus from death. That glorious, life-giving miracle followed the most severe and grievous injustice ever done to the innocent. See 2 Corinthians 5:21 NLT.
When any one of us suffers wrongly, it is not by our choice or consent. Imagine this, if you can! Jesus willingly chose to suffer unjustly for your salvation. “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust . . that He might bring us safely home to God.” 1 Peter 3:18 NKJV/NLT. What a wonderful word picture – “safely home to God.” Read 1 Peter 2:19-25 NIV. What do you feel when you read that? I feel grateful, incredibly grateful and undeserving. No wonder they call grace amazing!
My prayer for you today is that you learn patience and trust when suffering unjustly.