1 Peter 3:17
For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
Is it God's will that we suffer?
Jesus knows firsthand what this world is like.
What suffering here is like.
Now to put this in perspective, our first goal is not to suffer.
Our priority, and the Lord's command, is for us to do good.
To spread the Gospel.
But it is a reality we must acknowledge that sometimes, we do suffer for doing good.
There's the human statement, "No good deed goes unpunished."
I'm sure we have all felt that way at times.
And God acknowledges this fact, that the world will be against us.
Society will demonize us.
Even people in the church, our allies, will be offended at us at times.
Of course, the context of Peter's verse is that we should not do evil.
Instead, if we are to suffer for our actions, we should suffer for doing good.
It is God's will for us to do the good, righteous deed, even if we suffer wrongly.
It is never God's will for us to do an evil thing.
We are to be followers of Christ, and we should be acting in love and kindness.
Do we really think we will have much trouble for being kind or loving?
It does happen, but it is usually the exception and not the rule.
So, is it God's will that we suffer?
Only if we suffer for doing good, like our Savior Jesus.
1 Peter 3:14
But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.”
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