Reading: 1Peter
4:12-19
12 ¶
Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial among
you, which cometh upon you to prove you, as though a strange
thing happened unto you: 13
but insomuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings,
rejoice; that at the revelation of his glory also ye may rejoice
with exceeding joy. 14
If ye are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are ye;
because the Spirit of glory and the Spirit of God resteth
upon you. 15 For let none of you suffer as a
murderer, or a thief, or an evil-doer, or as a meddler in other
men’s matters: 16 but
if a man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed;
but let him glorify God in this name. 17 For the time is
come for judgment to begin at the house of God: and if it
begin first at us, what shall be the end of them that
obey not the gospel of God? 18 And if the righteous is
scarcely saved, where shall the ungodly and sinner appear? 19
Wherefore let them also that suffer according to the will of
God commit their souls in well-doing unto a faithful Creator.
See again verse
19: "... those who suffer according to God's will should
commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do
good."
God seldom uses anyone unless He puts that person through the test
of suffering and adversity. Jesus, you remember, began His
ministry in the wilderness of temptation, but it culminated in a
garden in Jerusalem on Easter morning.
Our lesser ministries, too, need the test of suffering. An ancient
proverb says: "He who is born in the fire will not fade in
the sun." If God lets us suffer in the fire of
adversity, depend on it - He is only making sure that we will not
fade in the sun of smaller difficulties. Has life broken you by
suffering and affliction? Are you feeling weakened and drained by
the things that have happened to you?
Take hold of the principles we have been examining, and I promise
you that never again will life break you at the point of
suffering. This does not mean that you will never again experience
suffering, but it does mean that you will respond to the suffering
with a new and positive faith.
Let me draw your attention once more to the text we looked at
before: "Although they may in the usual way slander you as
evildoers, yet when disasters come they may glorify God when they
see how well you conduct yourselves" (1Pet.2:12,
Phillips).
Make no mistake about it - the world is watching how we Christians
react to suffering. What do they see? People who struggle on
in continual weakness, or people who have been made "strong
at the broken places"?
Prayer:
O Father, I am one of Your followers, but so often I am afraid to
follow You all the way. Yet I see that Your way is right - nothing
else is right. I know You will stand by me; help me to stand by
You. For Jesus' sake. Amen.
Further study:
Rom. 5:1-11; 2 Thess. 1; Matt. 5:10-12
1. What are
some of the results of suffering and affliction?
2. Are these being evidenced in your life?
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