"If anyone suffers as a Christian"
Text: 1 Peter 4:16
GLORIFYING GOD
The Lord God has done so much for us, giving us salvation, sanctifying us, giving us His protection and lots more! The appropriate response to God must be our determination to glorify Him, even if we have to face tribulation!
“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.”
1 Peter 4:15-16
1. Suffering for the wrong things
Believers were urged to bear with suffering. However, they must make sure that they do not suffer for the wrong things. Four things were mentioned as examples:
a) “As a murderer”
i) Murder should never be contemplated.
ii) There is no excuse for murdering anyone.
b) “As… a thief”
i) Some may justify stealing.
ii) This is clearly wrong.
c) “As… an evildoer”
i) This was a common problem in the first century.
ii) Nevertheless, doing evil must not be considered at all.
d) “As a busybody in other people’s matters”
i) One must not meddle in other people’s lives.
ii) This shows a great lack of wisdom.
2. “If anyone suffers as a Christian”
a) Christians were persecuted in the first century:
i) For their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
ii) For their beliefs and their way of life.
b) Persecutors
i) They were often people of other religious persuasions.
ii) Sometimes, corrupt officials in the Roman administration persecuted Christians too.
3. “Let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter”
a) There is no reason to feel shame.
i) Even if one is mocked for his faith.
ii) Even if one is jailed for declaring his faith in Christ.
b) Glorifying God
i) Through his life’s testimony.
ii) Through his courageous faith.
iii) Through his steadfast faithfulness.