Is suffering foreign to the Christian Life?

1 Peter 4:12—5:14

Suffering As a Christian

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And

“If the righteous is scarcely saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”

Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

Shepherd the Flock of God

So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Final Greetings

By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it. She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does Mark, my son. Greet one another with the kiss of love.

Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

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Do these words require commentary?  If you remain unconvinced of them, read a newspaper, watch some TV, or visit any social media.  The faith is under attack from within and without.  Rome has a pope who loves to poke at the priests who do their daily bidding and tinker with doctrine and practice to fit the times a little better.  Wittenberg is filled with wannabes who have traded faithfulness to the Word of the Lord, the creeds and confessions of old, and Biblical view of family, sex, and gender for whatever the wind is blowing today.  Geneva has found itself a license for whatever seems good in the eyes of those who claim its inheritance -- from evangelicals who turn the focus on themselves to the diehard Calvinists of old with reason that defines what Scripture says and explains what God does not.  All around us the Church is caving in from the lack of strong support and foundation on the Word of God, the confession of the great creeds, and the embrace of the moment over the great tradition of the apostles and prophets.

And outside, the walls of Christendom are scarred with potshots from those who try to take down the House of God or who try to make the Word of God irrelevant to modern life.  We have a culture that is impressed most with a religion that discounts what that faith claims and chooses to be flexible where God is unbending.  We have a government that wants to reduce the freedom of religion to a mere right to worship in private and believe in private while banishing Christianity from the public square.  We have a media that delights in painting orthodox Christians as hypocritical bigots who are out to molest your children and take their freedom away.  We have a standard of truth that by its very definition removes the fact from faith and turns every religion in mythology and legend.  We have a passion that rules uncontrolled from a heart which does not even know it is poisoned by sin and cannot see right from wrong without the revelation of God and the light of Chris and the guidance of the Spirit.

So do not be surprised by what is happening.  But neither be dismayed.  The Church is being purified and the faith is being given an opportunity to share in Christ's sufferings for the sake of the Gospel.  And the promise remains.  He who endures to the end shall be saved.  No less than Jesus owns those words of promise so that we can take that promise to heart.  First Peter should be weekly if not daily reading for those who are stressed and anxious about the Church around them and the faith within.  We may abandon God but God will not abandon His Church.  You can take that to the bank.  Stand firm.  Do not give in.  The Word of the Lord endures forever and those who believe that Word have His promise that He shall raise them from this body of death and give them everlasting life.