Sunday Devotional: 1 Peter 2:20

For what sort of credit [is there] if [you are] sinning and being treated harshly [yet] you endure? But if you endure while doing good and suffering, this [finds] favor with God.

Peter’s comment here is in the context of encouraging obedience to authority, even when that authority is not friendly, or doesn’t reward good behavior. Especially in the latter case, when they do good and are still treated badly, or perhaps they are treated badly because they do good, Peter wants his readers to see their situation from the correct perspective.

How often do we adjust our behavior because of how well we want to be seen or treated by others? We want a promotion, so we try to do our best and act professionally at work. We don’t want to incur our parent’s anger, so we are well-behaved. Or, perhaps we want something from someone, so we cozy up to them, and be the kind of person we probably should be all the time. While these tactics may work, they may not, and we might be disappointed, thinking our efforts were a waste of time. We certainly wouldn’t expect to be punished for being good. Indeed, if that were to happen, we might say, “But I didn’t do anything wrong!” This only supports what Peter says to begin with: you don’t complain when you are justly punished for doing wrong. You’re getting what you deserve, and so you ought to endure it. This isn’t anything remarkable, and it certainly doesn’t cause God’s face to shine upon you with pleasure.

Let me pause here a moment to comment on the use of “credit” and “favor” in this verse. Two terms are used in the Greek, kleos for “credit,” and charis for “favor.” kleos can also mean “fame” or “glory,” and charis is frequently used in the sense of “grace.” I think in the context, Peter’s intention is not to say we can earn “points” with God, as if we can do anything more to gain God’s favor on top of what Christ has done. Our favor with God rests solely in our being united with Christ. None of our works can merit us anything. In this context, Peter is speaking in terms of pleasing God–behaving in such a way that brings glory to Him, and brings Him joy. Enduring suffering when we deserve it is not special behavior–it doesn’t prove anything. Indeed, it’s what would be expected of us.

However, if we do what is right, if we do what is pleasing in God’s eyes, and we suffer as a result, this is especially delightful to God. Not that He enjoys seeing His people suffer, but it is a sign of our commitment to Him. Moreover, I think, it demonstrates that we understand the true nature of “being good.” If we obey God when there is no benefit to it, or worse, when we will be punished for it, it shows we understand that obedience is a fruit of being born again. We don’t obey to get something, but because it is right to obey, and it is part of our redeemed nature to obey. Of course we would endure suffering to obey God–because the thought of not obeying God is more horrifying than any punishment we might receive as a result of our obedience.

Living a life that pleases God, according to what He has revealed in Scripture,  is not about being “holier-than-thou,” or trying to curry God’s favor. It’s simply being a Christian.

Have a great week!