Through it All
1 Peter 5:12-14
12. With the help of Silas, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it.
13. She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark.
14. Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.
There are some things to remember regarding suffering. I found this summary of some of Peter’s reflections on suffering to be helpful.
1) It is temporary. (1:6) It will not last. When we think of suffering it is short lived, we need to have eternity in mind. Peter has been through it all and reminds us to get the bigger picture. Remember what you are going through is temporary.
2) Suffering is a means of character building. (1:7) All through the Bible we are told how suffering is used to perfect us and make us stronger and more faithful. Are you willing to let God teach you and mold you, like he did Peter to be a better servant?
When Peter was on the water, he needed to learn to keep following Jesus not his fears. When he was in the garden, he needed to learn to trust the power of Christ, not the power of the sword. When he was in the courtyard at Jesus’ trial, he needed to learn how really weak he was so he could see it was by grace, not wisdom, that anything is accomplish for God. He learned character in suffering.
3) Peter wanted them to know that they can stand anything, if they remember it is a test. (1:7) Gold must be tried and tested and purified with fire so it can be stronger and cleaner and firmer than even before. It is a means to determine if our faith is genuinely on Christ or just religion?
4) Peter wanted to prepare them by telling them suffering is a sign that you are walking with Christ if you are suffering for your faith. (4:12) Christian's call to commitment will include suffering of some type - let Jesus be your example. When he lived a holy life, people were jealous, Satan was busy tempting him. Does it help to know you're doing something right if you are suffering?
5) Another way to help face suffering is by the encouragement of the Word of God. Peter tells them to prepare their minds. (1:22-25) We prepare our minds by what we read and watch and think about.
It is easy to be emotionally persuaded to quit when we are suffering, but it is during these times when the promises of the Bible and the faith in the truth that we know, but lead us, for our emotions deceive us. Act on truth, not feeling.
God has set forth an expression of His will in a general way in the Bible and He has given us the Holy Spirit in order that we might be guided into all truth.
6) Suffering more aptly allows us to seek the Lord and His will in our lives. (4:19) It causes us to re-evaluate what our priorities are and what ought to change. Things of this world really aren't that important. That is the story of the hot-air balloon. Suffering many times brings people to their knees before God and allows an openness as never before. It is the means to ask, is this really of God?
7) Suffering makes Heaven seem even more inviting. (1:3,4) If someone is saved, we know this is not home. This is not all there is. We know there are greater things to come and we get even more anxious to go and be with Christ. For those outside of faith in Christ, this is all there is and it is a warning regarding eternity. There is an accounting in the judgment when Jesus judges the living and dead.
(8) Persecution is the way to glory. The cross was the way to the crown. Even in this chapter how many times there is a reference to rejoicing or blessing:
He writes. “13 Rejoice that you participate in the suffering of Christ so, you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.v.14 You are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. vs. 16 Praise God that you bear that name.
The worst men could possibly do to them was to harm their bodies or imprison them. Paul wants them ro refocus on God’s agenda as we continue these thoughts this week.
Dale
