Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people's matters. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter. For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? Now "IF THE RIGHTEOUS ONE IS SCARCELY SAVED, WHERE WILL THE UNGODLY AND THE SINNER APPEAR?" Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.--1Peter 4:12-19
Dear Suzanne, Rebecca, Anna and Mikayla,
Peter begins in verse 12 and 13 by telling us not to think it strange that we are facing a trial "as if some strange thing had happened to us", but instead to expect them and to the extent that we partake of Christ's sufferings...rejoice in them.
I confess I do not like the thought of expecting trials, but it is a very good admonition. Trials come...when they catch you off guard they have a tendency to really knock you off your feet. Expect them and be ready for them. The best way to do this is to stay close to Jesus and immerse yourself in His word. Doing this will enable you to be prepared and stand when they do come.
We also need to remember that trials do not just "happen" which means to fall by chance. ("As though some strange thing had happened to you.") There is nothing accidental about a trial. A trial is something that God designs and allows for a believer's testing, purging and cleansing. If we stay in the moment in trials, we just see the pain and sorrow they bring. We need to look ahead to what God is going to do in our hearts. God wants to produce righteousness. I love what John MacArthur says about righteousness:
"Righteousness is the most glorious thing that you can ever possess and it is the highest and most wondrous thing to enjoy."
Look forward in the trial and see righteousness. God's desire is for us to be conformed into His image..and in order for this to happen we need to look to Him...to depend on Him...to see our own weakness. Trials accomplish this. Expect trials and know that they are from Him and will fulfill His purpose in our lives.
Peter goes on and tells us to rejoice in our trials to the extent that we partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, we may also be glad with exceeding joy. When we suffer for righteousness, we share in the fellowship of Christ's sufferings. Christ's enemies are still out there and the cross is still an offense. Their hatred is turned on those who preach the gospel...those who have a testimony of His love in their lives. What a privilege to suffer this way.
Act 5:41 So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.
If you are losing friends, mocked or persecuted for your faith...REJOICE. You have been counted worthy to suffer for His name. The bible says that great will be your reward.
Blessed are you when men hate you, And when they exclude you, And revile you, and cast out your name as evil, For the Son of Man's sake. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven, For in like manner their fathers did to the prophets. --Luke 6:22-23
Truly this is also how we get to know our Lord...by walking in the same path that He walked. The despised and rejected path. This is when we have the opportunity to follow Christ's example "WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH"; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;
If I suffer for doing what is good and right then I am to rejoice and be glad with exceeding joy! Remember the cross...the darkest hour of human history became the brightest beacon of hope. Christ's suffering and death brought about victory and swallowed up death forever. It bought for those of us who would believe eternal life in Heaven with Him. Jesus lived glorifying His Father in heaven despising the shame and was given the name above all names and has been exalted above all by His Father. Look ahead in the persecution and suffering to the divine blessings and glory that will be revealed! Being glad with exceeding joy...means this: EXULT AND REJOICE...JUMP FOR JOY....WITH A RAPTUROUS JOY.
Next, Peter says that if we are reproached for the name of Christ, we are blessed! This is not just a "happy" feeling, but a benefit. Suffering victoriously for Him shows that we have God's approval! Wow...God's approval. That is WHAT I want! He goes on to say that the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon us and on their part He is blasphemed but on our part He is glorified. When a believer suffers for righteousness sake, the Spirit of God rests upon Him and strengthens Him to endurance. I like to think of that approval and strengthening together in this way...I have the light of my God's countenance resting on me and radiating through me....strengthening me for the journey. Read the story of Stephen in the book of Acts...(6:8-7:60)
His life reflects this strengthening beautifully. Stephen looked to the Lord and was radiant and His face was not ashamed. Need more...think of Paul.
"And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong." --2 Corinthians 12:7-10
Peter goes on to tell us to evaluate our suffering to make sure we ARE suffering for his sake and not for our own wrongdoings Do not suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people's matters.
The next two verses say this: "For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? Now "IF THE RIGHTEOUS ONE IS SCARCELY SAVED, WHERE WILL THE UNGODLY AND THE SINNER APPEAR?"
Peter is not talking about condemnation here...he is talking about the purifying of the church. A believer's trials are ultimately for the purpose of furthering God's kingdom. How much better to suffer here on earth to grow God's kingdom than to suffer as an unbeliever does....purposelessly here and eternally in hell. When a Christian experiences a trial, he goes through it with his God's hand of comfort and guidance and even experiences tastes of glory here on earth. Eternal rewards and an eternity with Christ await him at the end of his journey. An unbeliever goes through trials alone here on earth and faces an eternity of suffering when this life is done. Whatever they experience here on earth will be the best it gets for them. If the righteous receive their due here on earth for their sins, and also suffer for righteousness sake, how much more the ungodly and the sinner in eternity. (See 2nd Thessalonians 1:4-10)
Verse 19 says, "Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator." Commit your soul to Him in doing good...He is your faithful Creator. He has your blue prints and knows exactly what you need and can keep you safe. Nothing happens outside of His awareness and control. Expect trials, rejoice in them, make sure you are suffering for the right things and finally, put your trust in Him. Place yourself in the hands of Him who not only made you but the world around you.
Love
Mom
