By Pastor Joe Dickinson – 1 Peter 2:18–25
“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.” — 1 Peter 2:20
It’s one of the most perplexing questions asked throughout the ages:
“Why do good things happen to bad people?”
Why do the wicked prosper, while the righteous suffer? Why does the dishonest employee get promoted, while the honest worker gets mistreated? Why does the unfaithful spouse walk away unscathed, while the loyal one is left broken?
The Bible does not ignore this tension—in fact, it addresses it head-on. In 1 Peter 2:18-25, we are given a framework that not only makes sense of suffering but also teaches us how to walk through it in a way that honors God.
Suffering Wrongfully Is Not a Sign That God Is Unjust
From a worldly perspective, fairness means immediate and visible consequences. But from God’s perspective, justice is eternal. Peter writes to believers who were slaves in the Roman Empire—many of them Christians—who were treated unfairly and cruelly. Yet Peter does not tell them to riot, revolt, or retaliate. Instead, he writes, “Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward” (1 Peter 2:18).
This command seems backwards to our modern culture, obsessed with defending personal rights at all costs. But the call to the Christian is not to demand justice in the present moment, but to endure suffering with patience, just as Christ did.
When You Do Right and Still Suffer—That’s When You Shine the Brightest
Suffering for wrongdoing is just part of life. But suffering for doing well—that’s something “acceptable with God” (v. 20). Why? Because it mirrors the very life of Jesus Christ.
“Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously.”
— 1 Peter 2:22–23
Jesus did not deserve the cross. He was sinless, blameless, and perfect in every way. Yet He willingly suffered at the hands of wicked men—not because God failed Him, but because God was working through His suffering to accomplish salvation for the world.
Divine Justice Is Not Denied—It Is Delayed
Christ did not get justice at the cross—He got death. But what looked like defeat was actually the path to eternal victory. Because Christ suffered wrongfully:
- We are healed by His stripes (v. 24).
- Our sins were carried away on the cross.
- We have returned to the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls (v. 25).
You see, the cross was not the end of Christ’s story—it was the turning point. The resurrection proved that God alwayskeeps score, even when justice seems to be on pause.
So Why Do Good Things Happen to Bad People?
The answer is this: Because God is patient. He gives the wicked time to repent (2 Peter 3:9), and He gives the righteous an opportunity to display the power of the gospel through patient endurance.
When the Christian suffers wrongfully and responds with grace, forgiveness, and trust in God, it causes the world to stop and ask: “What’s the reason for the hope that is in you?” (1 Peter 3:15)
That moment becomes a doorway for the gospel.
The Example of David and the Faith of Christ
Consider David, who refused to strike Saul when he had the chance. He could have taken justice into his own hands, but instead, he said, “The LORD judge between me and thee” (1 Samuel 24:12). Eventually, God exalted David, gave him the kingdom, and fulfilled every promise.
And greater than David was Christ. When reviled, He reviled not again. When threatened, He threatened not. Instead, “He committed himself to him that judgeth righteously.”
Application: Commit Your Case to God
If you’re suffering wrongfully—at work, in your home, or among your peers—don’t take vengeance into your own hands. Trust the One who judges righteously.
Say, “God, I’m going to keep being the best employee, citizen, spouse, or friend that I can be. I will trust You to even the score, to make all things beautiful in Your time.”
Because in the end, God always gets it right.
Conclusion: When Justice Seems Missing, Trust the One Who Never Forgets
Bad people may appear to get away with injustice in this life, but God sees all. For the believer, this world is not the final courtroom. Our hope is not in immediate justice, but in eternal reward.
So the next time you ask, “Why do good things happen to bad people?”—remember: Good Friday looked like evil had won. But Sunday morning proved that God always has the last word.
“For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps.”
— 1 Peter 2:21
Let us follow His steps—trusting, enduring, and shining—until the day God makes all things right.
If this message has encouraged you, share it with someone walking through a season of unfair suffering. Let them know that they are not alone—and that God is still writing the story.