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!

ARE YOU FREE TO JUMP OFF A BUILDING?

Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.

1 Peter 2:16-17 (NIV)

Being free is an interesting proposition. Does it mean being free to do anything? No, because I could freely choose to jump off the tallest building in downtown LA, but with out a parachute, I'd just die. Freedom does mean thoughtlessness or lawlessness. As a Christian, I am free from sin to serve God which means to live as I was created to live. 

Peter immediately speaks of respect. I have worked in some pretty tough neighborhoods and respect is a big thing, especially among boys and men. For many people respect is more like fear, just fear. But respect is not one person being afraid of another person doing something foolish and hurting them. That is just being afraid of someones lack of self-control displayed in a violent act. Respect is beyond treating someone as you would want them to treat you (also known as the golden rule). Respect is treating someone as a fellow child of God, created in his image. Respect is treating someone as Christ would treat them and remembering that Jesus died for them, just as he died for you. That is godly respect. That is true respect.  

So, freely live, freely love and freely respect all who God puts before you.

Lord, help us to love and respect everyone, even those who don't love and respect us. Praise be to you in us today!