WORD From The Woods
1 Peter 4:12-19
“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And “If the righteous is scarcely saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”
Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.”
Last week, we talked a bit about the suffering and sacrifice that comes as a Christian when we resist the worldly passions and pursuits that come at us in this life. In this next passage, Peter really focuses in on the reality of suffering for the sake of Christ. He even goes so far as to say that we should rejoice in suffering for the sake of Christ! Peter is clear, we don’t rejoice when suffering comes as a result of our own sinful actions or just plain stupidity. Christians throughout the ages have purposefully caused their own suffering in various ways to then turn around and misuse this passage to say “oh look, I’m suffering for Christ.” That’s not at all what Peter is talking about here. He’s telling us to make sure that our suffering is not a result of our own sinfulness, but that we should rejoice when we suffer as a result of standing for Christ. He points out the reality that our temporary suffering for Christ in this life, is nothing compared to the eternal suffering that awaits those who will spend eternity in hell! We may simply face ridicule or at some point even violence because of proclaiming the gospel, or maybe just for living a Christ-like life. It may come in the form of losing friends or business deals because we refuse to compromise on biblical ethical standards. Whatever the suffering or persecution looks like, when it legitimately comes as a result of following Christ Jesus, we can stand up and rejoice! Peter tells us that we can do this because Christ suffered more than we could ever imagine, when He took on the sin of the world and left it at the cross! Don’t ever forget that the weight of our own sin is what caused the suffering and death of our Lord and Savior, and our own suffering can’t even begin to compare. The other awesome aspect of suffering for Christ, is that God uses it to shape us into the people He desires for us to be! James taught this clearly when he wrote, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” The reality of God using trials in our lives for His good purposes, is something that we can take great comfort and joy in! So much more could be said on this subject. I hope that as you go out this week and face various trials, you can face them with a renewed sense of joy in what Christ has done for you on the cross, and what He continues to do as He grows you through it all!
God Bless and have a great week! -Terry-
1 Peter 4:12-19
“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And “If the righteous is scarcely saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”
Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.”
Last week, we talked a bit about the suffering and sacrifice that comes as a Christian when we resist the worldly passions and pursuits that come at us in this life. In this next passage, Peter really focuses in on the reality of suffering for the sake of Christ. He even goes so far as to say that we should rejoice in suffering for the sake of Christ! Peter is clear, we don’t rejoice when suffering comes as a result of our own sinful actions or just plain stupidity. Christians throughout the ages have purposefully caused their own suffering in various ways to then turn around and misuse this passage to say “oh look, I’m suffering for Christ.” That’s not at all what Peter is talking about here. He’s telling us to make sure that our suffering is not a result of our own sinfulness, but that we should rejoice when we suffer as a result of standing for Christ. He points out the reality that our temporary suffering for Christ in this life, is nothing compared to the eternal suffering that awaits those who will spend eternity in hell! We may simply face ridicule or at some point even violence because of proclaiming the gospel, or maybe just for living a Christ-like life. It may come in the form of losing friends or business deals because we refuse to compromise on biblical ethical standards. Whatever the suffering or persecution looks like, when it legitimately comes as a result of following Christ Jesus, we can stand up and rejoice! Peter tells us that we can do this because Christ suffered more than we could ever imagine, when He took on the sin of the world and left it at the cross! Don’t ever forget that the weight of our own sin is what caused the suffering and death of our Lord and Savior, and our own suffering can’t even begin to compare. The other awesome aspect of suffering for Christ, is that God uses it to shape us into the people He desires for us to be! James taught this clearly when he wrote, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” The reality of God using trials in our lives for His good purposes, is something that we can take great comfort and joy in! So much more could be said on this subject. I hope that as you go out this week and face various trials, you can face them with a renewed sense of joy in what Christ has done for you on the cross, and what He continues to do as He grows you through it all!
God Bless and have a great week! -Terry-