We live in a culture where everything is an injustice. This became very apparent to me when I spent a semester in Ireland because people there don't complain about things the way Americans do, and their lack of complaints opened my eyes to an attitude that I believe needs to change in our country – especially among followers of Christ. No matter where we are, we seem to think that the world revolves around us and that every person and business should cater to our wants. Is the music too loud in the restaurant? Complain about it. Is the food not perfect? Send it back. Is it too hot or too cold? Adjust the thermostat while the workers aren't watching. Essentially the attitude is to make sure that everything is right for me without any thought of other people. Peter teaches us that we should endure suffering for the sake of Christ – that we should give up our rights for the rights of others. We should choose to be uncomfortable rather than making someone else uncomfortable. Why? Because Christ came as a suffering servant – one who didn't look to his own needs but to the needs of others. The ultimate goal, then, is that people might see the way followers of Christ act and desire a relationship too. And if they don't, that doesn't give us license to revert back to our narcissistic ways. No, followers of Christ are to choose suffering even if there is no apparent change of heart by those around them. Does the world revolve around you? If so, then you might want to give these chapters another good read. Choose to suffer… for the sake of Christ.
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