MURDERERS AREN'T MARTYRS

For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is 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.

I Peter 2:19-21

There is a big difference between suffering for doing what is right and suffering the consequences for doing something wrong.  If you do what is right, trying to love others with the love of Christ and people oppose you that is different than committing a crime, ending up in prison and complaining that you don't get to see your family. 

I recently finished reading the book 7 Men and the Secret of Their Greatness by Eric Metaxes. One of the men was Dietrich Bonhoeffer. He was a pastor and dissident anti-Nazi. He ended up in prison and killed for his beliefs and stand against Hitler. The apostle Peter describes that a commendable. 

Dennis "Macho" Colon was convicted of murder and sentenced to life and prison in June of 2012. He complained to the judge that the sentence was too harsh because he would not be able to see his family. That is not commendable. 

So, what is the point? If I live to please God I will try to do what is loving and serve others. That is commendable. That is what I should seek to do. Go back to verse 16 which tells us to use our freedom to live as a servants of God, not as a cover-up for evil. Honestly, it's not that complicated. I remember my mom once saying, "If you don't break the law, you won't get chased by the police and you won't have to worry about how hard they  tackle you." 

Father, help us to enjoy our freedom in Christ and to live lives of love, serving others. Praise be to you in us today!