Suffering as a Christian. Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal which is taking place to test you [that is, to test the quality of your faith], as though something strange or unusual were happening to you.  1 Peter 4:1

INTRODUCTION

This Epistle was addressed primarily to Christian Hebrews, though it does not exclude Gentiles who, by adoption and faith, become members of the true Israel of God. The countries named are from northeast to southwest in Asia Minor. As might have been expected, the paragraphs glow with Peter’s fervent zeal and ardent love. There is also a deep vein of patience and of desire to encourage those who were suffering. The fiery trial was the Neronian persecution, which the emperor instigated to divert from himself the stigma of having set Rome on fire. The date, therefore, is about 65 A.D.

OUTLINE OF THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PETER

The Fellowship of Christ’s Suffering and Glory

CHRIST’S UNPARALLELED EXAMPLE

The Obligations of the Christian Life
(Living to God, Watching, Praying, Hospitality, Suffering as a Christian)

9. Why should a Christian rejoice in suffering?

1 Peter 4:12-19

SUFFERING AS A CHRISTIAN

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal which is taking place to test you [that is, to test the quality of your faith], as though something strange or unusual were happening to you.

But insofar as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, keep on rejoicing, so that when His glory [filled with His radiance and splendor] is revealed, you may rejoice with great joy.

If you are insulted and reviled for [bearing] the name of Christ, you are blessed [happy, with life-joy and comfort in God’s salvation regardless of your circumstances], because the Spirit of glory and of God is resting on you [and indwelling you–He whom they curse, you glorify]. [Isa_11:2]

Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or a thief, or any sort of criminal [in response to persecution], or as a troublesome meddler interfering in the affairs of others;

but if anyone suffers [ill-treatment] as a Christian [because of his belief], he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God [because he is considered worthy to suffer] in this name.

For it is the time [destined] for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not respect or believe or obey the gospel of God?

AND IF IT IS DIFFICULT FOR THE RIGHTEOUS TO BE SAVED, WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE GODLESS AND THE SINNER? [Pro_11:31]

Therefore, those who are ill-treated and suffer in accordance with the will of God must [continue to] do right and commit their souls [for safe-keeping] to the faithful Creator.

Comments by
F.B.Meyer
on
1 Peter 4:12-19

SUFFERING AS A CHRISTIAN

We are called upon to share our Savior’s sufferings-not those of His substitution, but His daily self-denial, the hatred of men, the anguish of His soul over the obstinacy and opposition of the world. The soldier who is nearest his leader, charging through the mêlée of the fight, is likely to get the same treatment as is meted out to his prince. It is not strange! It would be strange if it were not so, and if the traits in us that characterize our Lord did not win the same hatred as they won for Him.

The salvation of the righteous is a task of enormous difficulty. It requires the dead-lift of Omnipotence. Nothing less will suffice than the infinite grace of the Father, the blood of the Son, and the patience of the Holy Spirit. What will be the fate of those who refuse these! Will they appear at the marriage-supper of the Lamb; and if not-where! What a beautiful closing verse! The committal of the soul, not only to the Savior, but to the Creator. After all, He who made can best understand, adjust and satisfy the nature which He Himself has given!

Choose a Sermon on
1 Peter
by
Pastor Jeff Arthur.

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