1 Peter 2:13 - 25
During the 9:30 am service on Sunday we did some brainstorming about the things we see in this world that are unfair. See here, for what we came up with.
In dealing with the unfairness of the world, we can turn our anger outward and seek revenge on others, or we can turn our anger inward, and act like a victim. These responses hurt either others or ourselves. The response that Peter gives us is to look upward to Jesus and follow his example. "When they hurled insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead he entrusted himself to him who judges justly" (1 Peter 2:23).
Peter shows us that there is hope beyond the unfairness of life. The cross of Jesus was the ultimate demonstration that the world is unfair. Yet, the cross is also the ultimate statement that God is working to bring about a new future that is beyond the unfairness of this world. This new future can be ours as we allow the example of Christ to determine our reaction to unfairness in this world. I came across a great quote: Hope lights a candle instead of curing the darkness. The unfairness of the world will remain until Christ comes, but through hope in Christ, we can live with it and bring the light of Christ to alleviate some of it.
Hope beyond unfairness, now there’s a major topic. There must be countless people of all persuasions crying foul over moral, ethical and social justice issues every day, let alone the many personal battles which frequently confront them. Is it really “fair” I wonder, to point out or to label, those who give expression one way or another, rightly or wrongly, to the hurt they have to deal with, or those who vent their frustrations by challenging certain issues and perhaps the indifference they perceive in the wake of such matters?
ReplyDeleteI don’t think any of the reformers in any age, were inclined to simply sit on their hands and leave the matter of this world’s unfairness, entirely to God and His timing. Moreover, I would think God’s expectation of those who trusted Him then and now, would be to engage in truly empathetic prayer, the unfairness and the inequality which plagues humanity today. We know there are very few if any level playing fields left in the world; but maybe the church could think of itself as a LPF at least, giving people a chance, a voice and above all hope for to-morrow.
I have no doubt at all that we are called to model the endurance of Christ which Peter speaks of; but it would be irresponsible not to actively engage that unfairness in the name of Christ, in order to release the life expanding and enriching experiences with which people might otherwise be blessed. And I am quite sure that this same endurance will inevitably involve personal suffering for the reformers and the victims, in order that the lives of others might be enhanced when wrongs are finally put right.
I readily accept it may be “unfair” to make comment on this topic, when one has only seen a portion of the full text (above). So I’m not intentionally being antagonistic, when I suggest that to simply talk about those who exact revenge, or play the victim, seems to me to stop short of the mark. Rather, I feel it’s a case of finding ways to responsibly deal with the issues in order for others to be empowered, to find peace in their lives and to experience the liberating power of God’s justice here and now.
Those who have been hurt, offended or even outraged, are often urged to “maintain their rage”. The trouble for most of us, is that we have a lopsided view of justice when it comes to a fair go for all concerned and end up promoting our own agendas. Experience however suggests, circumstances will inevitably dictate, that most are forced to accept the reality that much of this world’s unfairness is beyond redemption in this life and consequently, irreversible. Then nothing less than the comforting presence of God’s Spirit will be able to make that distressing reality, at least tolerable.
Regards Mal L.