B3-devotions

1 Peter 4:12-19

Devotions for Tuesday 22nd July

Peter concluded his sermon to converts in yesterday’s magnificent passage of scripture, and now we pick up his concluding comments written to those who received this version of his sermon in a letter. The general theme of Peter’s advice is the encouragement of the Christian community to stand firm and bear the sufferings which come its way. Jesus had predicted these sufferings, but more than that, Peter emphasised that it was by these sufferings that the world would be saved, and so when the church suffered, it joined in Christ’s on-going redemptive suffering for the world, working with Christ for salvation!

In recent passages of this letter, some of which have been controversial, suffering has been a key theme. Peter was at pains to explain that the submission of slaves and servants to their masters might require them to accept considerable suffering (2:18f.), as could the submission of wives to husbands (3:1f.). Even the general good witness of godly people within a pagan world brought suffering (3:13f.) as with the efforts of ordinary Christians to live a life pleasing to God (4:1f.). Because of this general recurring theme of suffering, Peter seems to have felt it necessary to say some more about it and justify what he had said about suffering, and our passage today reads like an addendum to the sermon, explaining to the reader of the letter that suffering is a positive sign of the Kingdom of God at work in the world, and a sign of the effectiveness of the Gospel.

Peter calls on His readers not to be surprised at the talk of suffering as if it was ‘unusual (4:12); rather, when viewed as the evidence of the work of God in the world and the presence of God’s glory, it becomes a reason for great joy, even rejoicing (4:13,14), and in addition, when we suffer for the Gospel, we are given relief by the Holy Spirit (4:14). This is an amazing promise, the truth of which has been borne out by testimonies, and it can lift our hearts to know that God will bless our sufferings not just through personal sustenance and help, but by inspiring our faith that the sufferings we experience are not in vain, they are worthwhile because they are part of what God is doing in the world in order to bring about its salvation!

Peter draws a contrast between sufferings endured for doing what is wrong (4:15) and suffering for doing what is right (4:16), as he had done before (3:13f.). However, in doing this, he uses the term ‘Christian’, which is only found in three places in the New Testament (see also Acts 11:26 and Acts 26:28). We are used to using this word to describe someone who follows Jesus, so it does not strike us as surprising, but it’s almost unique use here in the letter gives this passage a special sense of connection between the experiences of the early church and the experience of Christian people now.

Clearly, in the days of the church immediately after the ascension of Christ and the coming of the Holy Spirit, people expected Jesus to come again soon, and Jesus had told everyone that at that time there would be great suffering (see Matt 24, for example). However, as the decades went by, the sufferings of God’s people continued but Jesus did not come again, and has still not yet come. We are therefore still living in the same era of the end times in which the early church expected Jesus’ return, just as we do now. For this reason, the experience of the early church is very similar to ours today and so the advice of Peter is still as relevant to us as it was to them. ‘It is time for the judgement of the household of God to begin’ (4:17), and our sufferings for Christ will come before God Himself. What will our sufferings say about us and about our faith?

12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal which is coming to you, as if something unusual were happening to you. 13 But rejoice in as much as you are taking part in Christ’s sufferings, so that you will rejoice with great gladness when his glory is revealed. 14 You are blessed if you are insulted because of the name of Christ, because the glory and the Spirit of God gives you relief. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, a criminal, or any sort of trouble maker. 16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed but give thanks to God because of that name. 17 For it is time for the judgment of the household of God to begin; and if it begins with us, what will be the end result for those who disobey the Gospel of God? 18 And

‘If the righteous are to be saved with difficulty,

what will happen to the ungodly and the sinners?’

19 So those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to the Faithful Creator, and continue to do good.

To read more about this passage of scripture: go to the Bible study page

To read the questions and discipleship challenges for this text: go to the discipleship page

Thank You God our Father for the many gifts you give us even though we do not always recognise them. Accept our thanks for all Your sustenance, each word of help, each surprise and encouragement, and each miracle of grace. May we hold on firmly to the truth of our faith and to the constancy of Your love, and may we praise You every day of our lives. Thank You, Lord God, AMEN