Meditation
SUFFERING ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF GOD
Text: 1 Peter 4:12-19
18 April 2021
FIERY TRIALS OF LIFE
The Apostle Peter wrote about the “fiery trials” which could come upon believers. His teaching may be summarised:
- These are not to be regarded as “strange things” 1 Peter 4:12
- Believers in the first century underwent great challenges indeed!
SOME OF THE FIERY TRIALS DESCRIBED
Peter highlighted two of these trials:
- Some were “reproached” 1 Peter 4:14a
- Others suffered being “blasphemed” 1 Peter 1:14b
This was verbal abuse! There were other forms of fiery trials not described here.
PROBLEMS THAT ARE NOT TO BE PUT IN THE SAME CATEGORY
Peter described some things that ought not to be spoken of in the same vein.
- Murderer
- Thief
- Evildoer
- Busybody in other people’s business
If one were to “suffer” punishment, jail time, or physical beating, because of these personal sins, this kind of “suffering” is not “according to the will of God!
TRUE SUFFERING FOR THE LORD
What is true suffering for the Lord Jesus Christ? Our suffering must be related to the Lord Jesus Christ!
- If we “partake of Christ’s sufferings” 1 Peter 4:13
- If we are reproached for the name of Christ 1 Peter 4:14
- If we suffer as a Christian 1 Peter 4:16
THE CORRECT PERSPECTIVE
How should we respond when we actually suffer for the Lord? Peter had these words to offer.
- “Rejoice” 1 Peter 1:13
- “Blessed are you” 1 Peter 4:14a
- “The Spirit of glory and of Gold rests upon you” 1 Peter 4:14b
Let us learn how to commit our souls to God as to a faithful Creator (1 Peter 4:19)!