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December 20th
The bible reading today is in the book of 1 Peter. Yes, all five chapters...but it’s worth the read.
The apostle Peter wrote to a group of disciples, Jews, and Gentiles, scattered through the northern mountain ranges of Asia...modern-day Turkey.
Peter wrote quite a lot about persecution aimed at Christians. By tradition, Peter spent his final years ministering in and around Rome. More than likely, Peter wrote his epistles from Rome just before Nero began all-out destruction of Christianity, including mass murdering of the followers of the way.
Peter wrote a message preparing the believers for suffering.
“For this is a gracious thing, when mindful of God...what is?...suffering unjustly just as the savior suffered for you and me without bitterness...that is a thing only accomplished by the grace of God...pray for it...
What is that gracious thing? It’s when a believer 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.”
