1 PETER 4:12-14
THE GLORY OF GOD IS ALWAYS
THE ISSUE: THE CHRISTIAN APPROACH TO SUFFERING
In our modern context, it is often
not popular to discuss the reality of suffering among Christians. In fact, many
so-called preachers attempt to add health, wealth, and prosperity to the gospel
of Christ which makes it not the gospel. The gospel is quite simply Jesus plus
nothing equals everything.[1] We
must be careful not to add to what gospel what is not there; this includes
adding rules and regulations that are not explicitly stated in Scripture. If
you have a personal conviction of something that is not explicitly stated in
Scripture, let it be just that: a personal conviction. Something that is
explicitly clear in the Bible is the fact that God’s people will face trouble.
Jesus said, “In this world, you will have trouble” (John 16:33). It may vary
from one person to another, but we are guaranteed to face trouble, suffering,
and persecution. How then are we to deal with suffering? What is the Christian
approach?
Peter likely wrote his first letter
from Rome during the reign of Nero[2] so
if anyone knew of suffering [particularly through persecution], it was Peter.
We know, however, that all the Apostles knew of suffering as did the entire
Christian world of that time. Nero was one of the most infamous rulers of all
time, burning Christians on posts outside of his palace to give light for his
parties. This is why Romans 10:9 is so crucial for believers. A law existed
that required citizens to proclaim Caesar as lord and Christians were doing it
without realizing the problem.[3]
Paul then said that to be saved, you must confess Jesus is Lord even though
this may cost your very life.
We go through different types of
suffering in our lives, not just persecution but all of it being the result of
humankind’s fall. It is a part of life so Peter gives us three imperatives for
how to approach suffering in 1 Peter 4:12-14 (specifically suffering for the
name and sake of Jesus Christ).
1 Peter 4:12-14 (ESV)
Suffering
as a Christian
12 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. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share
Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is
revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you
are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.
Expect Suffering (v. 12)
The first
imperative is that we must expect suffering. In using such graphic language as
“the fiery trial,” Peter tells us not to be surprised when it comes. Fire is
interesting because it is certainly painful, but it may also be used to refine.
Gold is refined by burning the metal till the dross is removed and all that
remains is pure gold. In the same manner, God often refines our lives through
trials, and the fire burns. Jesus says it another way in John 15:2 in stating
that the Father prunes branches that do not bear fruit. Either way, the concept
is that it is a painful experience. James tells us to count our trials as joy
(Jas 1:2-4) because they are what complete us. Peter instructs us not to be
surprised as if it were some strange thing. Expect suffering, and handle it
with godliness, humility, and righteousness.
We, in the
United States, have lived for so long under the subconscious illusion that
being a Christian will guarantee a good life. I say it is subconscious because
even those of us who openly dismiss this concept as a lie still expect a good
life for honoring God whether we realize it or not. The idea is that if we live
a moral life, we will get the American dream. For many of us, we have known our
society to be one that rewards moral living, and there have often been material
blessings for following godly principles. While this might have seemed true in
our country for a very long time, God never guarantees a cakewalk for serving
him. Those days are quickly vanishing. I believe persecution [although
currently limited for most Americans] will increase, and the church must be
ready for it. If serving God guaranteed an easy life, the Apostles certainly
did not get the message. How would you respond to the following proposition?
Follow me and receive me unto yourself.
Oh, but there will be vast persecution among you and those like you who follow
me. You will be crucified, killed by the sword, skinned alive, beheaded, dipped
in burning oil and lit on fire, stoned, and fed to wild animals.[4]
Oh, and I want you to still serve me with joy.[5]
It would not be a terrible thing if the illusion of material
blessing was stripped from the Christian faith so that those who truly know
Christ may profess him in the midst of suffering, not external happiness. Do
you realize how many people identify as Christians in name only even inside the
walls of our churches? According to George Barna’s 2016 State of the Church
report, only 28% of professing Christians believe that works cannot get you
into heaven.[6] 43%
do not believe that God is the all-powerful creator who rules the world today.[7]
32% of practicing Christians believe that all religions teach basically the
same thing.[8] In
2009 (only eight years ago so this has likely increased), 22% of churchgoing
Christians claimed to believe in reincarnation.[9]
Furthermore, 15% of professing Christians have consulted with a fortuneteller
or psychic[10]
(witchcraft). How can we ever expect God to be the Lord of our world when he is
not even the Lord of our churches? The acid test for his Lordship is how we
handle suffering, and to handle it properly, we must first expect it.
Rejoice in Suffering (v. 13)
Peter then
tells his readers to rejoice in suffering. He is not referring to suffering for
our own stupidity, although there is a godly manner which to handle that as
well; he is referring to suffering for the sake of Christ. The Greek word for
suffering here is redemptive in nature; it implies something that prepares us
to know the Lord. It is not inherently negative except when suffering occurs
outside of or apart from Christ.[11]
It is a word that implies deep emotion for someone or something and is a general
word for suffering of all kinds, not just persecution. We are able to share in
Christ’s sufferings because we are in him and his glory is revealed in us. None
of us are good enough on our own except that we are in Christ and he is in us.
We tend to measure ourselves by other people whether we realize it or not. This
is played out often when I hear someone say that they know non-Christians who
are more righteous than Christians. Sadly, no they are not because no matter
how moral they are, it is not good enough. That is a works-based statement.
Jesus is the standard for a righteous life (not other people), and we cannot
measure up to that standard except through his blood, not our own works. Understanding
salvation by grace through faith (and not anything to do with our works) allows
us to realize the great truth in some of the hymns we sing in every
circumstance, good or bad.
My sin, oh, the bliss of the glorious
though, my sin, not in part but the whole is nailed to the cross and I bear it
no more. Praise the Lord; praise the Lord, oh, my soul.[12]
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound,
that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now I’m found, was blind but
now I see.[13]
What can wash away my sin? Nothing but
the blood of Jesus. What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of
Jesus. Oh, precious is the flow that makes me white as snow. No other fount I
know, nothing but the blood of Jesus.[14]
My faith has found a resting place, not
in device nor creed; I trust the ever-living one, his wounds for me shall
plead.[15]
My hope is built on nothing less than
Jesus’ blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame but wholly
lean on Jesus’ name. On Christ, the solid rock I stand. All other ground is
sinking sand. All other ground is sinking sand.[16]
The Christian is found in Christ; this is how we can rejoice
in suffering. If you are measuring yourself by Christians who measure
themselves by other Christians, you do not understand grace. We are all equally
flawed and dead in our trespasses, and it is only through the Son, Jesus
Christ, (not anything we have or have not done) that we are made righteous to
the Father. We are to consider it joy when we share in the sufferings of Christ
because it is for his glory and honor, not our own.
Feeble
attempts to stamp out Christianity have been made throughout history. It was
tried during the time Peter wrote this letter; it was tried after; and it will
continue to be tried till Christ returns for his own people. Persecution in the
early church simply allowed Christianity to disperse to other parts of the
world. Before Constantine (306-336 AD), Diocletian (244-312 AD), tried to rid
the world of the bible even decreeing that if someone was found with one copy
of the word of God, they would be killed. When Constantine became a Christian,
he offered a financial reward for copies of the Bible, and within a day, fifty
copies were brought to him, thus the word of God continued.[17]
Voltaire,
the noted French infidel, who died in 1778, made his attempt to destroy the
Bible. He boldly made the prediction that within one hundred years the Bible
and Christianity would have been swept from existence into oblivion. But
Voltaire's efforts and his bold prophecy failed as miserably as did those of
his unbelieving predecessors. In fact, within 100 years, the very printing
press upon which Voltaire used . . . was being used to print copies of the
Bible. And afterward, the very house in which the boasting Voltaire had lived,
was literally stacked with Bibles prepared by the Geneva Bible Society.
Voltaire . . . had miserably failed.[18]
God’s word will
stand forever; God’s people will persevere; and yes, God is in control. Let us
then face suffering with the joy of the Lord. Our external circumstances do not
determine our joy but only the glory of God in whom we find all satisfaction.
Count Suffering a Blessing (v. 14)
Peter
lastly tells us to approach suffering as a blessing. We must realize that when
we suffer in Christ, it is on his behalf, not ours. The apostle Paul says that
our present sufferings do not compare to the glory that will be revealed in us
through Jesus Christ (Rom 8:18). We do not suffer merely for suffering’s sake
or for ourselves but solely for the glory of God; there is a higher calling and
purpose than ourselves. No matter the circumstances that brings our suffering
and no matter the degree of our suffering, we must count it an honor because
the glory of God is always the issue.[19]
It is not our well-being; it is not our happiness; it is not even our
protection; but it is only the glory of God. If it glory is not the issue in
anything we do, we need to refocus because our motives are wrong. In fact,
suffering, as Peter says here, is the evidence that God’s Spirit is upon us.
This should beg the question, “am I suffering enough?” It is not that we should
seek pain and suffering, but the natural result of following Christ will be
some degree of suffering, particularly through persecution. As I have already
mentioned, I believe persecution will increase in the church. I also believe
many professing Christians will eventually abandon the church because they were
never a part of it to begin with. When God’s glory is at the forefront of our
lives, all else, including earthly pleasures and sufferings, fade in
comparison. As the hymn states, “The things of earth will grow strangely dim in
the light of his glory and grace.”
Suffering for the sake of Christ and in his name is an honor and a blessing.
The Glory of God Is Always the Issue[20]
We are
selfish people by nature. It is part of our ugly fleshly desire to be selfish
so we tend to think that everything is about us. Reality is that everything is
about God and his glory. We can either get on board and partner with Christ in
achieving his glory or fight against it in which case the curveballs life
throws at us will make us utterly miserable. Joy does not come from external
circumstances. While we might receive temporary pleasures from them, only an
all-satisfying God brings lasting and ultimate joy. It is when we find out
satisfaction in other people or things that we approach suffering in anger and
bitterness and likely end up blaming God instead of facing it with joy knowing
the privilege of being counted with Christ and sharing in his suffering. The
only way to approach suffering in righteousness is to live in the reality that
the glory of God is always the issue.[21]
[1] Tullian Tchividjian.
[3] Clayton King sermon.
[4] Patrick J. Kiger, “How Did the Apostles Die?” National Geographic, accessed April 25,
2017, http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/killing-jesus/articles/how-did-the-apostles-die/.
[5] My personal summary of call to follow Christ.
[6] George Barna, “The State of the Church,” Barna Group,
accessed April 25, 2017, https://www.barna.com/research/state-church-2016/.
[7] Ibid.
[8] Barna, “Meet Those Who ‘Love Jesus but Not the
Church,’” Barna Group, accessed April 25, 2017,
https://www.barna.com/research/meet-love-jesus-not-church/.
[9] Joshua a. Goldberg, “Churchgoers Mix Eastern, New Age
Beliefs,” The Christian Post,
accessed April 25, 2017,
http://www.christianpost.com/news/new-poll-reveals-how-churchgoers-mix-eastern-new-age-beliefs-42215/.
[10] Ibid.
[12] “It Is Well.”
[13] “Amazing Grace.”
[14] “Nothing but the Blood.”
[15] “My Faith Has Found a Resting Place.”
[16] “The Solid Rock.”
[17] Cecil Willis, “The Indestructability of the Bible,” Truth Magazine XIX 31, accessed April
25, 2017, http://www.truthmagazine.com/archives/volume19/TM019211.html.
[18] Ibid.
[19] Prominent saying by Dr. Gordon Borror.
[20] Ibid.
[21] Ibid.
