You’ve given your life to the Lord Jesus, having accepted Him as Savior, so now shouldn’t your life be going smoothly, with few if any problems, and those that do occur, only minor ones? This is what some false preachers, particularly those who preach the prosperity gospel, have promised. They promise that if you become a Christian, and if you give to certain ministries, then your life will prosper with minimal problems. However, what the Lord tells us in His Word in our Scripture passage today, shows us the falseness of this ungodly teaching. Let’s see what the Lord tells us through His servant St. Peter.
The Apostle Peter wrote his letter to Christians who had been scattered from their homes and neighborhoods throughout the Middle East and Asia Minor. These believers were facing persecution for their faith. As Peter sent his message from the Lord, he taught that suffering for Jesus is not an accident or a sign that they were being punished by God, but that it is a part of God’s refining plan. He taught that they can trust Him who is faithful, while continuing to do what is right. This passage affirms that God uses trials to refine His people, that judgment begins with the Church, and that suffering for righteousness is a badge of honor, not a cause for shame.
As our Scripture passage begins, Peter instructs us not to think it strange when we go through very difficult times, including periods of persecution (vs. 12). Fellow apostle, St. Paul wrote that faithful Christians will suffer persecution (II Timothy 3:12). Fiery trials are not random, but designed by God to test and purify His people.
God has a purpose for our trials. He uses these experiences to cleanse and purify our lives. Trials drive us to the Lord. God allows suffering sometimes to get our attention, and bring us back within His will. It is also a way of testing us, trying our devotion, faith, and endurance to Him. God also uses trials to demonstrate His power to sustain us and bring glory to Himself. He also uses it to develop personal righteousness. God can use suffering to prune us like a plant, and also to teach us obedience. We should view them as His sanctifying work, not as spiritual failure.
Peter instructs us that when we go through these fiery trials we are to rejoice, because these sufferings identify us with Jesus, and will lead to future glory (vs. 13-14). When we suffer for our faith we are sharing with Christ’s sufferings. Insults and rejection because of Jesus means there is evidence of Christ in our life. It is a mark of genuine discipleship. We may be suffering now, but God has promised us future joy. The more believers suffer for Jesus now, the greater their rejoicing when He returns.
Any adversity we experience is temporary because Jesus has given us eternal life. The Father will ultimately deliver us, whether on earth, or by taking us to our home in heaven. Our future is absolutely secure because we are in God’s loving and capable hands.
Peter then warns us to be careful what we are suffering for (vs 15-16). He warns against suffering for something wrong that we have done. If we are put in prison because of some crime we committed, there is nothing noble in that. We cannot pretend that we are being persecuted because we are a Christian if our boss had to fire us because we were taking money out of the office cash box, or because we were sleeping on the job. We are not being persecuted if we are punished for doing wrong, only if we suffer for the Name of Jesus. Holiness matters. Suffering for sin brings shame, not honor. Examine our life honestly - is our suffering due to righteousness or to personal failure.
Our trials are evidence that God is actively sanctifying His Church. God will purify His people first (vs. 17-18). If the righteous are scarcely saved, the fate of the ungodly unsaved is far worse. Believers face God’s refining fire, but unbelievers will face His consuming fire.
Peter concludes with the instruction that those who suffer according to God’s will should commit their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. God is a faithful Creator - He made us, sustains us, and will vindicate us. Knowing that, we must keep doing good. Don’t retreat or compromise, and don’t grow bitter because of trials we go through. Keep obeying God even when obedience brings suffering. Contrary to what many false teachers say, persecution is not a sign of God’s absence, but of His refining work. Nothing will ever touch us without passing through the hands of a faithful Creator.
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