Blessed in Suffering For Christ

Blessed in Suffering

For Christ

 

Peter is writing to Christians who were scattered

because of their faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

These people believed in more than a man

they knew and believed in His words,

“The Gospel of Jesus Christ”.

For many were like you and I, they never

saw Jesus, but they heard His “Words”.

His Words changed their lives.

There was a definite change in their culture.

The Kingdom of God became their way of life and

it came in conflict with the culture of the land.

 

In the time of the apostle Paul,

 he was persecuted by Pharisees.

When taken to the Roman’s courts,

 he was found not guilty.

Rome began to change, as Emperors began

to assume the role of divine beings.

It was at this point that Christians were

regarded as anti-Roman traitors.

Christians were not only considered as traitors, but

became escape-goats in politically different situations

such as the burning of Rome in 64AD under Nero’s reign.

Some Christians were covered with tar and used as

human touches in the Roman courtyard while other

were covered with animal skins and feed to wild dogs.

Peter is telling these Christians who left everything

in fear for their lives, that their suffering for their

life in Christ brings blessing upon them.

Peter wants to make it clear there is no

blessing for being “a murderer or thief or any

other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler.”

  

But if you suffer for Christ sake…

If you suffer because your life resembles God’s Words…

“If you are insulted because of the name

of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit

of glory and of God rests on you.”1 Peter 4:14

Peter goes on to say judgment is coming.

My first thoughts are, “Yes, God bring

it on, save us from the wicked.”

But Peter says…

“For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of

God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be

for those who do not obey the gospel of God?”1 Peter 4:17

It is the Gospel of God, the Good News that will be the

standard by which the family of God and others will be judged.

Peter than quotes Proverbs 3:31…

"If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,

what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?"  

Yes, the Scriptures say, “Believe on the

Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.”

That is the hope and blessing

for those who “Believe”.

But in light of Peter’s words, we begin

to understand the gravity of believing.

James says the demons believe and tremble and

we know they do not have eternal life. (James 2:19)

Recently, I read on face book,

“I believe in Christians, but I never met one.”

Sad to say many people who call themselves Christian

do not know God’s Word, the Gospel, and

therefore, do not know who they are or how to act.

 They do not realize the difference between the

culture they live in and the Kingdom of God culture.

The climate in American and the world

is revealing who the true believers are.

As they are revealed, more

suffering will come to them.

Because like Nero, the Roman Emperor, leaders in America

and around the World are taking the role of divinity.

If you are called on to suffer for the sake of Christ

will you consider yourself to be “blessed?” 

Scripture Reading

1 Peter 4:12-19 NIV

12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed , for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And,

"If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,

what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?"  

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