Enduring Unjust Suffering: A Call to Faithfulness

Devotional

Day 1: Enduring Unjust Suffering for God's Sake

When you face unfair treatment, especially from those in authority over you, you are called to respond not out of fear of people but out of reverence for God. This means showing respect and obedience even to those who are harsh or unjust, not because they deserve it, but because your ultimate accountability is to God. Such endurance is not easy, but it is a gracious thing in God's eyes when you bear up under suffering while being mindful of Him. Your willingness to endure, even when you have done nothing wrong, reflects your relationship with God and your trust in His justice and care. [32:49]

1 Peter 2:18-20 (ESV)
"Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God."

Reflection: Is there a situation where you are being treated unfairly? How can you choose to respond with respect and endurance today, mindful of your relationship with God rather than the actions of others?

Day 2: Following Christ's Example in Suffering

Jesus suffered not for wrongdoing, but for doing good—healing, teaching, and loving others—yet he endured mistreatment and pain. As His followers, we are called to imitate Him, understanding that the Christian life involves self-denial and sometimes suffering for righteousness' sake. When you stand up for truth and goodness, you may face opposition or even persecution, but your calling is to follow Christ’s path, taking up your cross and trusting that God sees and rewards your faithfulness. [38:30]

1 Peter 2:21-23 (ESV)
"For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly."

Reflection: What is one way you can imitate Jesus’ response to mistreatment or misunderstanding this week, choosing self-denial over self-defense?

Day 3: Responding to Evil with Good

Jesus teaches that when others harm, curse, or mistreat you, you are to respond with love, blessing, and prayer rather than retaliation. This radical way of living sets you apart as a child of God and reflects His mercy and kindness, even to the ungrateful and evil. By choosing to do good to those who wrong you, you become a living testimony of Christ’s love, often speaking louder than words in your workplace, home, or community. [41:05]

Luke 6:27-36 (ESV)
"But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful."

Reflection: Who is someone that has wronged you or made your life difficult? What is one practical way you can show them kindness or pray for them today?

Day 4: Entrusting Yourself to God’s Justice

When you are wronged, it is natural to want to fight back or seek revenge, but Jesus shows us a different way—entrusting ourselves to God, who judges justly. God knows every detail, every motive, and every hurt, and He alone can judge rightly. Instead of taking matters into your own hands, you are invited to leave your case in God’s hands, trusting Him to make things right in His time and way. This act of trust frees you from bitterness and allows you to walk in peace, even in the midst of suffering. [47:39]

Romans 12:17-19 (ESV)
"Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.'"

Reflection: Is there a situation where you are tempted to seek revenge or hold a grudge? How can you actively entrust this hurt to God and choose to let Him be the judge?

Day 5: Seeking Wisdom and Practicing Forgiveness

There are times to endure suffering in silence and times to speak up or remove yourself from harm; discerning which to do requires a deep relationship of trust with God. In every situation, whether you endure or confront, you are called to forgive those who hurt you, just as Christ forgave you—even praying for those who have not yet repented. Forgiveness is not easy, but it is possible through God’s grace, and it is the mark of a heart that has been transformed by His love. [01:01:30]

James 1:5 (ESV)
"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him."

Reflection: Are you facing a situation where you are unsure whether to endure or to speak up? Take time today to pray for God’s wisdom and ask Him to help you forgive those who have hurt you, even before they ask for it.

Sermon Summary

Today’s reflection centers on the challenge of enduring unjust suffering, especially in the context of work and authority. Drawing from Peter’s letter to the elect exiles, the call is to live holy lives even when mistreated by those in power—whether government or employers. The teaching is clear: while Scripture condemns slavery and injustice, believers are still called to submit respectfully to those in authority, not because they are right, but because of our relationship with God. This submission is not passive acceptance of evil, but a conscious act rooted in reverence for God, trusting that He is ultimately just.

Suffering comes in many forms: sometimes as a result of our own sin or foolishness, sometimes simply because we live in a fallen world, and sometimes because of the intentional wrongdoing of others. The most difficult suffering is when we are punished for doing good. In these moments, the natural response is to seek justice or revenge, but the call is to follow Christ’s example. Jesus suffered unjustly, yet He did not retaliate or threaten; instead, He entrusted Himself to God, who judges justly. This is the path of self-denial and true discipleship.

The Christian life is not a promise of ease, but a call to take up our cross, to die to ourselves, and to live righteously even when it costs us. When we endure suffering for doing good, we become living testimonies to those around us—our actions speak louder than words, and our willingness to forgive and show mercy reflects the heart of Christ. Yet, this does not mean we must always remain silent in the face of abuse. There are times to speak up, to confront, or to remove ourselves from harm, but always with prayerful discernment and a heart of forgiveness.

Ultimately, the ability to endure and forgive comes from remembering who we are: sinners saved by grace, called to imitate Christ. We are not better than those who wrong us; we too have been forgiven much. As we entrust ourselves to God, we find the strength to forgive, to endure, and to live differently in a world that often rewards retaliation. May we grow in trust, humility, and love, following Christ’s example in every circumstance.

Key Takeaways

1. Suffering for Doing Good Is a Calling, Not a Curse Enduring unjust suffering, especially when we have done what is right, is not a sign of God’s absence but a participation in the calling of Christ. Just as Jesus suffered for doing good, we are invited to follow in His footsteps, trusting that God sees and values our faithfulness even when the world does not. This perspective transforms suffering from meaningless pain into a gracious opportunity to reflect Christ’s character. [38:30]
2. Distinguishing the Sources of Suffering Deepens Our Response Not all suffering is the same: some is the result of our own sin or foolishness, some comes from living in a broken world, and some is inflicted intentionally by others. Recognizing the source helps us respond appropriately—repenting when we are at fault, extending grace when others err unintentionally, and learning to forgive even when we are targeted for doing good. This discernment is crucial for spiritual maturity and genuine forgiveness. [32:49]
3. Imitating Christ Means Entrusting Justice to God When wronged, the instinct is to seek justice or revenge, but Christ’s example is to entrust Himself to the Father who judges justly. This act of deferring to God is not weakness but profound trust, acknowledging that God alone knows every motive and circumstance. By leaving our case in God’s hands, we are freed from the burden of vengeance and empowered to respond with mercy and grace. [47:39]
4. Forgiveness Is Rooted in Our Own Experience of Grace The ability to forgive those who harm us—even intentionally—flows from remembering that we too are recipients of God’s forgiveness. Jesus prayed for His persecutors even as He suffered, and we are called to do likewise, not out of our own strength but because we have been forgiven much. This radical forgiveness is a mark of true discipleship and a powerful witness to the world. [41:43]
5. Wisdom and Prayer Guide When to Endure and When to Speak Up There is no one-size-fits-all answer to whether we should endure suffering in silence or confront injustice. Each situation requires prayerful discernment and a deep trust in God’s guidance. Sometimes, love means enduring; other times, it means speaking up or removing ourselves from harm. The key is a relationship of trust with God, seeking His wisdom in every circumstance and always responding with a heart of forgiveness.

** [56:24]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Announcements and Ministry Updates
[06:30] - Greeting One Another
[08:00] - Introduction to 1 Peter and Context
[10:45] - Submission to Unjust Authority
[14:20] - The Call to Respect Even Unjust Masters
[18:00] - Why Enduring Unjust Suffering Matters
[22:30] - Types and Sources of Suffering
[32:49] - Responding to Suffering: Repentance and Grace
[35:42] - Real-Life Examples of Suffering for Doing Good
[38:30] - Christ’s Example: Suffering Without Retaliation
[41:05] - Loving Enemies and Radical Forgiveness
[47:39] - Entrusting Ourselves to God’s Justice
[56:24] - When to Endure, When to Speak Up
[61:30] - Personal Story: Abuse, Endurance, and Forgiveness
[70:00] - Closing Prayer and Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

1 Peter 2:18-25 — (Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust... For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps...)

- Luke 6:27-36
(But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you...)

Observation Questions

According to 1 Peter 2:18-25, what reasons does Peter give for why believers should submit to unjust masters or authorities?
In Luke 6:27-36, what specific actions does Jesus command his followers to take toward those who mistreat them?
The sermon described different sources of suffering. What are the main types of suffering mentioned, and how does Peter say we should respond to each? [[32:49]]
What example does Jesus set for us in how he responded to unjust suffering, according to both the passage and the sermon? [[38:30]]

Interpretation Questions

Why does Peter say that enduring unjust suffering is a “gracious thing” before God? How does this perspective change the way we view suffering for doing good? [[38:30]]
The sermon mentioned that not all suffering is the same. How does recognizing the source of our suffering help us respond in a more Christlike way? [[32:49]]
What does it mean to “entrust ourselves to God who judges justly” when we are wronged? How is this different from seeking revenge or demanding our rights? [[47:39]]
How does remembering our own need for forgiveness help us to forgive others who have wronged us? [[41:43]]

Application Questions

Think of a time when you suffered for doing the right thing at work, school, or home. How did you respond? Looking back, would you do anything differently in light of Christ’s example? [[38:30]]
The sermon said that sometimes we are called to endure suffering, and other times to speak up or remove ourselves from harm. How do you discern which response is right in a given situation? Is there a current situation where you need God’s wisdom for this? [[56:24]]
When someone intentionally hurts you, what is your natural reaction? What would it look like to “entrust your case to God” instead of seeking payback? [[47:39]]
The ability to forgive is rooted in our own experience of God’s grace. Is there someone you are struggling to forgive? How does remembering God’s forgiveness toward you help (or challenge) you in this area? [[41:43]]
The sermon gave examples of Christians losing jobs or opportunities because they refused to compromise their integrity. Are there areas in your life where you are tempted to “go along” with something wrong to avoid suffering? What would it look like to stand firm? [[35:42]]
The pastor shared a story about his mother leaving an abusive relationship and the importance of prayerful discernment. Are there situations in your life where you need to seek God’s wisdom about whether to endure or to speak up? How can the group pray for you in this? [[01:01:30]]
The sermon challenged us to be living testimonies by how we respond to mistreatment. What is one practical way you can show Christ’s love and mercy to someone who has wronged you this week? [[41:05]]

Sermon Clips

It's difficult to endure grief from unjust suffering. Why? Why is this gracious? Why is this a gracious thing? Well, you earn, as the headline says, you earn credit with God. Okay, this is, there's some credit here. [00:30:22] (16 seconds) Edit Clip

Another level is, we suffer because we live in a fallen world. So, things happen to us. We get sick. We're in an accident. There's a natural disaster. It affects us. And we suffer. And then what do we do? Well, sometimes, we blame God. Right? But we need to learn to accept this. To endure. Not blame God. [00:33:13] (23 seconds) Edit Clip

The only way we can do it is actually if we're connected to Christ because Christ did exactly that. He suffered. He was doing good. He's healing. He's helping. He's telling us how to be saved. He did everything good and he suffered and he endured. So as believers, servants of God, we are called, actually, we're called to suffer. [00:38:30] (29 seconds) Edit Clip

Jesus told his disciples, if you want to follow me, come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross. You have a cross. We have a cross right here, right? The cross is what? Oh, I believe in Jesus. It's a cross. Yeah, but the cross means you're going to die. It's an instrument of killing. I have to die to myself to deny myself. That is what Christianity is. Not, I want to be blessed. Yes, you will be blessed. But first, you have to die to yourself. [00:39:37] (31 seconds) Edit Clip

We are called to suffer. Do you understand that? As a believer, Jesus suffered and we will. He said, the servant is not greater than his master. They persecuted Jesus, they will persecute his disciples. We will be persecuted. [00:40:08] (19 seconds) Edit Clip

And how do we respond? Well, we follow Christ's example. I'm going to look at some other passages how Christ exemplifies. What does he do? How do we, how do we live? How do you respond to cruel and unjust treatment? How do you respond to this? What does the Bible say when someone harms us? How do we respond? Jesus says, you respond not in kind, but with kindness. You respond in the opposite. [00:40:45] (31 seconds) Edit Clip

So, basically, everything, you, as a Christian, you, supposed to give, give, give, give, give. You give in, give in, give in. They hurt you, you bless them. They curse you, you pray for them. It's a completely opposite. That's not what we want to do. If someone curses me, I want to curse them back. If someone hits me, I want to hit them back. But Jesus says, no, you're not. You do the opposite. They mistreat you, you treat them well. Why? Because you belong to me. You're my disciples. [00:41:47] (31 seconds) Edit Clip

Why should we do this? He continues, because of who we are. We are elect of God. We belong to God. We need to be different. Not live like everybody else. Not act out our revenge. [00:42:19] (17 seconds) Edit Clip

God makes it right and that's what we have to do we have to entrust ourselves to God he makes the right call God makes the right decision he knows absolutely what's going on he knows what happened he knows who did what he knows their motives maybe it was unintentional what they said or what they did maybe they reacted to something else someone else hurt them and so they hurt you now so many different things we don't know but God absolutely knows 100 % everything so he will judge justly we can entrust ourselves to him. [00:51:06] (40 seconds) Edit Clip

When someone sins and they harm you and they hurt you they're not getting away with it they're not getting away with it we can count on that unless of course here comes the here comes the hook they're getting away with it if they become a Christian right if they repent then God Jesus forgives them and that's good but let's be honest here when we are suffering in that moment do you want the other person to become a Christian no not at that moment at that moment I want the other person to suffer God you judge them okay we don't think about oh God save them forgive them we're not thinking like that many times maybe you do and that's great okay but often times we don't we're saying they hurt me okay I won't hurt them back but God you do that okay you just get them it's hard to forgive isn't it. [00:51:48] (59 seconds) Edit Clip

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