Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1943-05-27

Persecution for Christ's sake has
been the lot of believers from the
first century down to 1913. Some
times 1t has been official. but more
often unofficial, yet nonetheless Sc
we're and trying.
The manner in which Christians
face their difficulties is one of the
best testimonies to the reality of
their protested faith. Sometimes,
however, in the midst of their trials
the enemy Of their souls brings dis
couragement-and then they need
the counsel and encouragement of
others.
Such was the situation when Peter
addressed his first epistle to the
early believers who were scattered
abroad Q:D. His counsel was just
what they needed, and is equally
helpful to U.S. They were to be
1. Separated As Pilgrims d:1;
2:11, 12).
Christians are in this world but
not of 1t. They are passing through.
wayfarers on their way to the eter-
nal dwelling place Of God. That does
not mean that they are not inter-
ested In the welfare Of those round
about them, or delinquent In shar-
ing the responsibilities Of life, but
1t does mean that they are to have
the pilgrims detachment from the
things Of the world and the flesh.
In the days Of Peter, membership
in the church was not considered a
normal or respectable thing. It
marked a person as belonging to
hated sect, one which was falsely
accused Of many evil deeds. For
example, Christians met at night,
men and women together for COM
munion service. Because they spoke
Of this as '1ove feast" they were
accused Of immortality, and because
they spoke of the body and blood Of
Christ they were said to be eaters
Of human flesh.
Christians must meet such ma
lioious reports. How? By silencing
their accusers by their good works.
ii. Submissive As Citizens (2:13-
49,.
One Of the hallmarks Of Christian
character Is willing and gracious
recognition Of proper authority.
whether 1t be in the state, in the
place of employment, In the school,
or In the home. He does this for
the Lords sake ". 49,, and even
when that authority is in the hands
Of an unreasonable man.
This does not mean that the Chris
tian is to encourage or countenance
tyranny and oppression. but that he
Is loyal to the state and to his en-
ployer, even though the present rep
resentative be hard, unjust man.
In all well ordered society there
will be proper and effective means
to correct injustice. But in and
through 1t all the Christian shows his
faith by his behavior.
Observe that government, In the
plan Of God, Is for the purpose of
keeping order. encouraging the
good. and furnishing the evil wv.
10. lD. The powerful influence of
the Christian Church should keep It
in that right channel, or bring 1t
back II 1t has strayed. Always loyal
and obedient. the believer should
use his ballot and his personal in
auence to establish and support
good government.
III. Suffering As Christians q:
1920.
Christ Is our example" ". 2D.
Since some have interpreted this
word and the statement that ye
should follow in his steps" as in
dicating that we are saved by our
imitation of Christ, It Is well to
point out that this would be quite
impossible. We would have to be-
gin where He began-He was with
out sin ". ~. But we have all
''sinned and come short Of the glory
Of Cod (Rom. 1920. We need q
Saviour-not an example as far as
redemption Is concerned.
In the ever present problem Of
suffering, we as redeemed ones do
have Christ as our example. He
who was sinless and without fault
bore the shame and suffering of
Calvary without complaint When
He was reviled He did not retaliate,
when He was hurt He did not threat
en- revenge wv. %. 23), but was will
ing to leave the ultimate judgment
in the hands Of God, who will have
the final word.
We ought to do the same when we
suffer for Christ's sake. II we SUI
fer because Of our own sin or folly.
we can claim no credit for bearing
II patiently ". 20). But when we
have done well and then are per-
secuted, we have opportunity to
show whether our profession of be-
ing followers Of Christ really means
anything. At this point some Chris