What Glory Is It?

I Peter 2:20 "For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God."

I read the above verse one day last week and have been chewing on it since. The first half is easy - when we're punished for our wrong, we should take it. But Peter, did you have to add that second part??

What counts is that you put up with it for God's sake when you're treated badly for no good reason. There's no particular virtue in accepting punishment that you well deserve. But if you're treated badly for good behavior and continue in spite of it to be a good servant, that is what counts with God. (The Message)

If you have a sibling (or 2 or 3) you probably received punishment for their wrong doing at some point. A child is going to whine and complain when that happens. But there will be times as a child of God the same thing will happen. How do you respond?

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. (NIV)

If you ever try to accomplish something in the kingdom of God, you will face opposition. Whether the motivation is jealousy, malice, or just because you didn't do it "their way," someone is going to criticize or talk about you. Will you just give up or will you continue on?

What credit do you deserve if you endure a beating for doing something wrong? But if you endure suffering for doing something good, God is pleased with you. (God's Word Translation)

God is pleased when our hearts and motives are right. Others may not see that. Do it anyway.

"In the Final Analysis"
by Mother Teresa

People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered...
forgive them anyway

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish ulterior motives...
be kind anyway

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies...
succeed anyway

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you...
be honest and frank anyway

What you may spend years building, someone may destroy overnight...
build anyway

If you find serenity and happiness, people may be jealous...
be happy anyway

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow...
do good anyway

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough...
give the world the best you have anyway

You see, in the final analysis, it's all between you and God...
it was never between you and them anyway