The Cost of Faith Today

Scripture – 1 Peter 2:18-22: Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. For it is commendable if one bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.”

Observation – Our brothers and sisters in the first century church faced persecutions beyond our imagination. The people reading this letter knew such a wave was rapidly advancing toward them. They faced decisions I pray we never have to face. I can only wonder how I would have been in those days. Would I stay faithful? Would I deny? Would I run? There’s no way to know. I do live, however, today. What suffering – what cost – do I endure because of my faith today?

Application – I will address that question today. I’ll keep a log and write down any instances where I “suffer for doing good,” or even when serving Christ interferes with my personal comfort.

Prayer – Thank you, Lord, for the peaceful, safe society in which I live. You know better than I that I have never really suffered because of my faith. I’ve been inconvenienced at times. But that’s about all. I’m not complaining about that, Lord. I’m just mindful my faith has been tested and refined in other ways. Thank you for that.