​Be Conscious of God

1 Peter 2:18-21 Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. 19 For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. 20 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. 21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
 
PETER specifically addresses people in the church who are slaves. Let’s be clear. Peter is not condoning slavery. Peter can’t change the Roman laws to end slavery. But he can teach these children of God how to be conscious of God.
   Christian slaves under a harsh master will be conscious of God when they submit to their masters with all respect. To respect a harsh master seems impossible. But being conscious of God, the slaves are to remember the sufferings of Christ for their eternal salvation. Christ has honored us who were once enemies of God with his tortuous suffering at the hands of unjust, brutal “masters”. In the same manner as Jesus, a slave must bear up under the pain of unjust suffering.           
   Peter urges the slaves to be conscious of God, so they will accept their trials as a calling. Yes, this is a very difficult purpose God had given them. But it is not more than what the incarnate God has experienced. In their suffering, the slaves have an opportunity to enter into a more personal faith with the Lord, who has suffered. Jesus’ suffered to reveal God’s glory. The abused slave had an opportunity to do the same.
   Peter knew what he was teaching. He had watched Jesus suffer. He had experienced the death of his fellow apostle James at the hand of Herod. He had suffered in prison at the hands of the ruling Jews.
   In the church’s history there are many testimonies from people who have suffered horrible tortures at the hands of radical anti-Christ movements and governments. They have testified to how they remained conscious of God as they suffered. Instead of seeing themselves as victims, they focused on the Son of God’s suffering, so one day they would enter into eternal freedom from all suffering. This awareness turned their minds to rejoice in the glory they possessed as Jesus’ treasured possession. Sometimes their faithful response turned hateful prison guards and torturers to a strong, life-transforming faith in Jesus.
   We are all called to suffer at some time in some way in our lives. If we are conscious of God in those circumstances, we will grow more deeply into a holy relationship with him. You will come to know that through all trials, you can claim victory in Jesus Christ, your Redeemer. It is forever. Praise God.