“It Is Good To Suffer For Doing Good…!”

“It Is Good To Suffer For Doing Good…!”(I Pt.3:15-22).
Dear friend, God in his grace has allowed us to come to another weekend. Let us be thankful that his grace is sufficient for us.
Things are not always the way they should be. The good does not always receive commensurate reward. Almost all of us have passed through the experience of good deeds being rewarded with bad pay.
The early Christians who lived in the northern part of Asia Minor were being persecuted for their faith in Christ Jesus. Peter wrote to encourage them, urging them to copy the example of Jesus who suffered for them. It is good to suffer for doing good.
Early African converts to Christianity suffered persecution too; some times worst than what the people of Peter’s time passed through. We remember the Matyrs of Uganda. There were a group of 45 Roman Catholic and Anglican matyrs who were executed when Mwanga II, the Kabaka of Buganda persecuted Christians.
Back in our villages women suffered domestic violence in the hands of their husbands for daring to follow the new religion.
We may not have had their experiences. In the majority we are “ajebo” Christians who cannot understand the pain of “ajewakoro” Christians. What we should bear in mind is that “even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened…It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.”
Perhaps more of our persecutions today come from adherents of competing religions and those who propagate a different Jesus. Some times they act in ignorance. To such people “always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behaviour in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” Be reminded that every seeming unbeliever is a potential believer. It is all about our approach and reaction to their antagonism.
When humanbeings play God, “In your hearts revere Christ as Lord.”
Dear friend, there is nothing that happens to you that Christ did not endure more. “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous to bring you to God.” But today he reigns supreme at “God’s right hand – with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.” What irony, that even the emperor who spearheaded the persecution of those who had their hopes in Christ is an authority and power under submission to that same Christ!
That is why we should keep doing good and what is right amidst the persecutions. One day we will reign with our Lord Jesus Christ. Hallelujah!
Weekend prayer: Holy Spirit encourage me so that no matter the persecution, I should follow the example of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!
Have a blessed weekend! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.