Called To Do Good

For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. [1 Peter 2.21]

It will be difficult here to add much to what I have written in the past on this passage. See Suffering on this date in 2019, and then Do Good And Suffer on this date in 2020.

So, let's just take the "suffering" out of it for just a moment and concentrate on this statement: God called us to do good. This is exactly what Jesus taught and demonstrated beginning with His announcement of His own calling in Luke:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.” [Luke 4.18-19]

In no less than two very significant passages, Jesus clearly defined our calling as "the same" as His. First, in Jesus' prayer to the Father in John's Gospel we see the following:

Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. [John 17.18]

And then, Jesus directly told His followers the same thing:

Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” [John 20.21]

But, even before the two passages just mentioned is another one recorded in John's Gospel that believers must reconcile with:

“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. [John 14.12]

Peter understood this as one who had walked with Jesus. Peter also witnessed and understood that for all the good works Jesus did, He was crucified for it. It is worth noting Peter's emphasis that we must follow in His steps.

Peter addresses then, the topic of suffering for doing good in what follows the subject passage above in today's OYCB reading. It's a lot of talk about suffering. It is certainly more talk about suffering than most will ever be comfortable with - but it is there. To ignore it, especially with it coming from Peter who was arguably Jesus' most dedicated follower, would just be willful denial.

The thing is, we don't have to pursue suffering! It will find us if we simply set about to do good as Jesus did good. For the record, the good Jesus did all revolved around faith and the miraculous. The problem for must "Christians" today is that, based on their degree of doing good with faith and miracles, they have absolutely nothing to worry about suffering for it. Let that soak in...

We will never suffer for doing good if we never do good. If we never do good, we are NOT following in Jesus' steps.

Father, forgive me that my faith has accomplished nothing to cause me to suffer for it. I want that to change. Of course I have suffered for claiming "faith" and failing at it - but may I get past that, like Jesus, and suffer for demonstrating undeniable miracles! I never thought I would pray like this... I am Yours, Lord.