Thoughts on 1 Peter - Day 21

                                      1 Peter 4:12-19

 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. ¹³ But rejoice inasmuch as 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 God’s household; 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.

       I watched a video by John piper on "hope" which he preached at my daughter's church. I think I mentioned it in a blog a few days ago.  It is fresh in my mind since I just saw it Sunday.  He gave 5 areas today that if we stand for truth we endanger ourselves.  One was the gay agenda. One could lose their business,  their wealth,  and at some point in the USA, pastors could lose their freedom and churches their tax exemption status. The second was human trafficking.  If you go after the source of this billion dollar industry you put your life in danger. Third, abortion. I support a ministry that uses shock value on campuses. They set up huge posters of dismembered fetuses and engage people in conversation.  They are vehemently verbally attacked by students. He mentioned a couple others but you get the point. I would think that if you set up a soapbox on a street and started preaching the gospel,  you would suffer. In all these you would want to make sure that you weren't breaking any laws doing what you are doing because Peter says that you don't want to suffer for being a criminal.  However,  if you did it legally and were persecuted , which is why so few of us do these things,  Peter says that there are some good things that will result.

     First he says we will be overjoyed when His glory is revealed. To me this mainly refers to the fact that most of us say we are looking forward to heaven but really we would just as soon stay down here. Why? Because we are comfortable.  We aren't suffering.  Add a little suffering to your life and it makes you long for heaven.  But also a lot of us go through life wondering why we aren't seeing the glory of God on a day to day basis.  No miracles,  no god-things, no conversions, etc. Maybe it's because we are being too safe. He doesn't need to show up. In the book "tortured for his faith" the author talks about one episode after being tortured, he sat in his cold dank cell and felt God's arms around him all night long keeping him warm. He experienced God's glory.

     Secondly, you probably don't need to wonder if you are saved or not.  The fact that His glory is resting on you,  that people are identifying you with Christ,  should confirm that you are one of His. Like Stephen before he was stoned to death, his face looked angelic,  the people gnashed their teeth, took up stones and killed him. Paul says that he could have avoided persecution if he started preaching circumcision/works salvation/not salvation.  When we are on Christ's side, we will be persecuted. Why would the devil hurt you if you are on his side?

     Lastly our suffering in a way vindicates and justifies God in His judgment on mankind, , not that He needs that, because no one can stand before God and say "that's not fair". Because of our suffering, God could, if he wanted to,  show a video of that person persecuting or at least not caring about the persecution of Christians and say, "your suffering is deserved and equal." I know that could be a new thought. If you want to marinate on that one, check out Rev.7:9-11, Matt. 23:34-36, Isa. 9:5

Lord, help me not to shy away from obedience to You in areas where I know I will be persecuted for. Give me boldness, strength, and direction.  Amen