July 7
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1 PETER 2
18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. 19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20 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. 21 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. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 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. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
– 1 Peter 2:18-25
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1 PETER 2 A GRACIOUS THING IN GOD’S SIGHT
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
When Jesus Christ suffered all the abuses and rejection of mankind
He gave us an example of endurance and obedience that was one of a kind
Because of his Son’s great love for humans, he appeased God’s wrath
It was grace and mercy in bounty that saved all of the unworthy
Let us all remember how Jesus endured all the pain before his death
Will we be able to die for someone else’s place who isn’t deserving?
When you suffer for the sake of love, you are doing a gracious thing
What grace is it if you give your other cheek instead of retaliating!
When you do the right thing and be misunderstood for it
It is an occasion to reap a harvest of reward from Him
Continue to emulate Jesus and you will do good in God’s sight
Be gracious to others as he gave you mercy and a new life.
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REFLECTION
• What did verse 23 meant when it said “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”? Can we do this?