If two of the first words that children learn how to say are “no”, and “mine”, then the first sentence they learn is, “That’s not FAIR”! We all have a deep sense of fairness, don’t we? Especially when we feel we’re treated unjustly! No doubt all of us have been misunderstood or maligned at some point in our lives. It’s not a great feeling!
We’re studying 1 Peter chapter two where Peter says, “Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh.”(NIV) I don’t know about you, but there are all kinds of things there that sound unfair – just the words “slaves” and “submit” grate against every “fair” thing in our culture! Add on top of that we’re to submit to “masters” (grrrrrr…) who are “harsh” or “unjust”. Wow – that just rubs salt in the wound if you are thinking at a human level.
You might think that Peter will back down or lighten up as he goes further, but he doesn’t! He actually raises the bar by looking at Jesus, our prime example and enabler for this kind of living. “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.” As our example and pattern, as Jesus was unjustly dying on the cross for sinners, he said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they’re doing.” If you wanted to say, “That wasn’t fair!” you’d be right! It was so far beyond fair, it was supernatural forgiveness!
This Sunday we’ll look at verses 21 to 25 of chapter 2 and learn how we too can live the kind of life that Jesus lived. Are you sure you want to? How are you doing when you are treated unfairly today? Would you like to learn how to endure grief when suffering unjustly? Most of us haven’t suffered like the persecuted church around the world does, but are you ready for that if it comes?
This is not just a theoretical abstraction. Thankfully our COVID infection rates are dropping, but many have suffered loss during this pandemic. At the same time you may have heard about the new COVID regulations finally allowing churches in Santa Clara County to meet indoors. The leadership of Valley Church is prayerfully considering all of our options and how to be true to our convictions AND serve our congregation while being good citizens for our community. Keep us in your prayers as we navigate these challenging issues!
Church on the Grass – Outdoor worship service this Sunday, March 14 at 10:45 am. Bring your own lawn chair and/or blanket. Register ASAP with this LINK. Please read through the instructions on safety before you attend. If you are unable to join the outdoor service, please attend one of our two online options. Just visit valleychurch.org and click on the colorful Join us online banner.
Don’t forget that Daylight Savings Time begins on Sunday, March 14, 2021, at 2:00 A.M. On Saturday evening, our clocks need to “spring forward” one hour so you gain another hour of daytime. (That sounds better than “you lose an hour of sleep!)
In Christ, Kurt