1 PETER 4: 12-19 [Renewing Hope Series]
EXAMINING OUR SUFFERING
[2 Corinthians 4:11-18 / Psalm 31]
What do you do when the rug is pulled out from under you? Do you panic? Do you get angry? Do you doubt the Lord¡¯s love for you? Do you trust God to get you through the tough times? Peter suffered greatly for his Christian faith. The words we have before us this morning were shaped in the blast furnace of Peter¡¯s own affliction and pain. God changed the vacillating, stubborn, impulsive, self-confident apostle into ¡°the rock¡± through the things he suffered for Christ.
Suffering and glory are twin truths woven into the fabric of the Christian life (CIT). This should not be surprising, since suffering and glory walk hand in hand. Suffering for the Christian must be seen in the perspective of eternity. The glory of the Lord lies ahead. It is suffering and then glory. Not to have the suffering means not to have the glory. If there is no cross, there is no crown.
Many Christians are surprised or shocked when the trials and sufferings of Christ come into their lives. There is a popular theology which teaches that the sun always shines upon good Christians, that our grass is always green, and that suffering doesn¡¯t come to those who have proper faith.
Peter espouses that such teaching is not true. In fact, Christians will often suffer for doing good (3:13¨C18). We should not be surprised when fiery trials come our way. We are at spiritual war with Satan himself. Christians have faced trials and have suffered for their faith from the beginning of the church, and will till God takes us home to heaven. [Cedar, Paul. The Preacher's Commentary Series, Vol. 34 : James / 1 & 2 Peter / Jude. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson. 1984, S. 181]
I. EXPECT SUFFERING, 4:12.
II. EXALTED THROUGH SUFFERING, 4:13-14.
III. EVALUATE YOUR SUFFERING, 4:15-16.
IV. ENTRUST YOUR SUFFERING, 4:19.
Mental and spiritual readiness for suffering is stressed in verse 12. ¡°Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;
This section is addressed to the beloved, or the believer. We are beloved. Such love is the sweet comfort on which we can rest our suffering souls. Beloved believers are not to be surprised when suffering comes our way. Our conversion does not exempt us from troubles. We can expect the Christian life to be full of blessing, for it is, but it also is full of trials and tribulations. The world, the flesh and the devil take offense at the Word of God. Trials are an inescapable part of this life. Born again believer should not think it strange that they go through trials.
¡°Why me?¡± we ask when fiery trials come upon us. The right question is, ¡°Why not?¡± If suffering loosens sin¡¯s grip on us and causes others to see us differently, if it keeps us focused on eternity, and frees us to participate in ministry¡ªwhy shouldn¡¯t we embrace it as a necessary part of our growth?
Have you ever looked at THE ROCKS in a fast flowing stream? You find stones the size of a tennis ball and some the size of basketball, but all of them are rounded and smooth. The water had transformed once jagged rocks into rounded objects of beauty and wonder.
God does something like that with each of us. He works through the buffeting storms of life. He shapes us into men and women who reflect His glory if we hold firm to His love and yield to His control. Although circumstances may be devastating, God uses them to refine our character, making us patient, humble, and sensitive to His voice. That's why it's not strange that sometimes we must endure severe trials.
We may wish for life's streams to be a calm trickle at all times so we can live undisturbed. But God sees our rough edges and acts in grace to remove them. Think of those stormy, difficult times when you were tossed about like those rocks in the stream. Our all-wise, loving heavenly Father didn't desert you. He is working all along to smooth the rough edges and produce in you the loveliness of Christ.
Some trials are brief and soon forgotten. Fiery trials though are an intense ordeal. This word fiery is also used of a furnace used purge metal of its dross or impurities. [Perhaps some of Peter¡¯s readers were going through intense politically sanctioned persecution.]
The trial of a believer is like a refining process. The intent is to improve its value not destroy the metal. There are things you need to learn that you don¡¯t even know you need to learn and suffering will encourage you to learn them. God knows what it takes to transform you into Christ-likeness. What hope that gives us in our suffering.
[I once read a story about a BLACKSMITH who had trusted Christ as his Savior. While he was working at his anvil when he was confronted by an inquiring unbeliever. "Why is it you have so much trouble?¡± said the man. "I have watched you since you became a Christian and you have had many problems. I thought when a person gave himself to God his troubles were over." A smile came across the blacksmith's face as he replied, "Do you see this piece of steel? I'm going to use it for the springs of a carriage. But first it needs to be heated. Then I hammer it, bend it, and shape it the way I want it. Sometimes, however, I find that the steel is too brittle to be used, so I have to throw it on the scrap heap. As scrap, the steel is worth just a few pennies, but as a carriage spring, it is very valuable. Ever since I began applying this idea to my life, I have been saying to God, 'Lord, test me in any way You choose, but don't throw me on the scrap heap.'"
When God in His grace saves us, it is for a special purpose. He wants us to live for Him so that others may see our good works, and glorify our Father, who is in heaven (Matt. 5: 16). Therefore He uses the testings and trials of life to prepare us for His earthly or eternal service. Just as the blacksmith formed that piece of steel to make a carriage spring, so too God must sometimes allow hardship to temper US on the anvil of life. far better to be a valuable spring than a useless piece of scrap!]
II. EXALTED THROUGH SUFFERING, 4: 13-14.
Believers who share in the sufferings of Christ are encouraged in verse 13 to rejoice in the transformation potential that accompany trials. ¡°but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing; so that also at the revelation of His glory, you may rejoice with exultation.
Suffering and glory are the twin truths woven into the fabric of a Christian¡¯s life. Christian suffering and eternal glory walk hand in hand. [The biblical definition of ¡°glory¡± is seen in the Hebrew word chabod, which means ¡°weighty¡± or ¡°substantial.¡± Glory is a top sirloin steak as opposed to cotton candy¡ªsomething one can sink his teeth into as opposed to something composed simply of sugar and air.
Man was originally clothed with this glory or the weight of the reality of God. When Adam sinned, the chabod departed, leaving him empty and exposed (Genesis 3:7). Yet according to verse 13, the day is coming when our suffering will be translated into glory for all eternity.]
Suffering allows us to experience glory. Jesus gave us a wonderful illustration concerning suffering when He reminded us that after a woman endures pain and suffering to give birth, she forgets about the agony when her baby is born because the suffering is transformed into glory (Jn. 16:21). The same baby who causes pain brings joy.
The heartache, setback, or difficulty that is causing you pain and agony will be the very thing that will ultimately bring joy. That which is breaking your heart right now will one day be the delight of your eternal soul.
There is coming a day when the glory of Lord will be revealed. On that day, we shall truly rejoice and give God thanks for the privilege of suffering for Christ. We will be eternally glad with exceeding joy! Those-who bless God in their trials are blessed by God through their trials.
So consider it all joy (Jas 1:2) and keep on rejoicing even in your trials and tribulations. These trials are intended to bring you closer to Christ and more like Christ than you have ever been before or could be without them. [James 1:12 says, ¡°Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the Crown of Life which the has promised to those who love Him.¡±]
For sharing in the sufferings of Christ brings the joy of Christ (1:6), fellowship with Christ (Phil. 3:10), the glory of Christ (Rom. 8:17), and reigning with Christ (2 Tim. 2:12). The New Testament is clear that those who take part in the suffering of Christ also will take part in His glory, when it is revealed (apokalypsei; 1 Peter 1:7; 5:1). This truth is a cause for future hope and present rejoicing while enduring suffering.
Verse 14 teaches us that if we are reproached for Christ¡¯s sake we are blessed. ¡°If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.¡±
The paradox of living through dying and receiving glory through suffering is also seen in being blessed through revilings. Reproach [oneid¨ªz¨] means ¡°belittle, chide, taunt, or revile.¡± Jesus experienced such reviling as He hung upon the Cross (Mark 15:32). We should rejoice in such reproach because it affirms the fact that the Spirit of Glory and of God rests on us
Anything that we suffer for the sake of Christ is a privilege, not a penalty. [The Spirit of Glory and of God (Isa. 11:2; Mt. 3:16) refers to the Holy Spirit¡¯s indwelling presence within all who are identified by ¡°the name of Christ¡± and thus suffer persecution. Walvoord, John & Zuck, Roy. The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL : Victor Books, 1983, S. 854.] The revealing of the Shekinah glory of God causes hateful reviling within those who hate God and refuse to give Him the glory due His name.
Yet, this reproach from man brings glory from God. This is radically contrary to everything our flesh tells us. Man thinks, ¡°If I didn¡¯t have to suffer and go through trials, life would be glorious.¡± Not true. Check out Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous and see if those people are experiencing glory, substance, or joy. The world insists that the absence of suffering brings glory. The Word says the presence of suffering brings glory.
In our fallen, depraved condition, we are unable to differentiate clearly between what is truly good and bad. What we think is good and wonderful is often bad and hurtful. What we think is suffering and pain is actually that which brings joy and glory.
Suppose I had said to my son Rannon when he was young, ¡°Rannon, you must keep your room immaculate because each day you do I¡¯m going to give you an eight-inch-by-twelve-inch piece of paper.¡±
¡°Oh,¡± he would probably have said. ¡°Why is Dad giving me this hard job? Oh, pain, agony and suffering!¡±¡ªuntil the day in college he decides to look more closely at the stack of paper I¡¯ve given him and discovers that each one represents a share of preferred IBM stock. He¡¯s now a millionaire.
Hebrews 12:2 says, ¡°Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Jesus endured the Cross because He knew it was the Cross that would bring joy and glory. In the pain and suffering of the Cross, joy and glory were birthed.
III. EVALUATE YOUR SUFFERING, 4:15-16.
Not all suffering brings glory because some of our suffering is deserved. Verse 15 reminds us that some suffer as a result of our sinful behavior. ¡°By no means let any of you suffer as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler;¡±
When you suffer unjustly, the flesh wants to strike back. Peter stressed that persecution was no excuse for lawlessness. Christians were not to retaliate (3:9). Physical violence was not to be met by murder. Confiscation of property was not to be compensated for by theft. No matter what their trials, Christians were to do nothing that would justify punishing them as criminals (2:19; 3:17). [Walvoord & Zuck. P 854.]
I find it interesting that Peter places busybodies and murderers in the same category.
Instead of being ashamed for suffering as a Christian, verse 16 instructs us to glorify God for the privilege. ¡°but if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not feel ashamed, but in that name let him glorify God.¡±
Our walk of faith can cause harsh words and reactions from the world, for they will try to make you feel like you are wrong. These heavy taskmasters may throw stones at you telling you that you are to blame. Don¡¯t be ashamed of Christ and His Word before this adulterous and sinful generation. When you are degradingly attacked by the accuser of the brethren for doing what is right according to the Word, do not receive the false guilt and shame they are pouring upon you. God is well-please for you, just as He was when Peter and the other apostles had to answer for their godly words and actions before the vicious Sanhedrin (Acts ).
We are also asked to understand that suffering is needed. God needs to purge and purify us through suffering which we find in verse 17. ¡°For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?¡±
We need to be purged and purified. [God uses earthy judgment to help purge and purify His precious children.] Christians are exempt from condemnation (kat¨¢krima, Rom. 8:1), but not from earthly judgment [krima]. Earthly discipline or judgment is intended to purify our lives so that we do not live like the world (kr¨ªn¨, 1 Cor. 11:32). Though this discipline may bring earthly suffering it also brings about a transformation toward godly character. So though Christians are suffering through the transformation process of become Christ-like, once this life ends, so does their suffering.
But what is the hope or outcome of those who reject God¡¯s offer of salvation and His cleansing blood? What awaits those who refuse to join Christ on the straight and narrow way? A final end awaits them too terrible to fully fathom. At the Great White Throne (Rev.20:11-15) they will be judged, condemned, and then cast into outer darkness to die out their sentence (Mt. 13:41-42, 49-50; 22:11-14). It is infinitely better (2 Cor. 4:11-18) to endure suffering for righteousness sake here and now than to suffer eternal torment later.
The contrasting in types of suffering is reinforced in verse 18 by a quote from Proverbs 11:31. ¡°And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner?¡±
¡°If it is hard for the righteous to be saved¡± emphasizes God¡¯s disciplinary demands on His children. Hebrews 12:7 supports the idea that discipline is hard. ¡°It is for discipline that you endure, God is treating you as sons.¡±
Life is not lived merely for the present, but it is also lived for the future. Yes, it¡¯s hard being a Christian, but it¡¯s a whole lot harder being a pagan. The pagan will endure difficulty also, but only to end up in hell.
Life is hard. That¡¯s just the way it is. It¡¯s hard for everyone. You¡¯re not being picked on. You¡¯re not being singled out. It¡¯s just life. Even though it¡¯s hard, and even though we have problems, we have access to the problem-solver, JC. We can cast our care upon Him. A lost person has no Lord and Savior to go to when they suffer.
IV. ENTRUST YOUR SUFFERING, 4:19.
There is a marvelous solution for those of us who suffer according to the will of God. The profoundly simple solution in verse 19 is that we should commit or entrust our souls to our Lord. ¡°Therefore, let those also who suffer according to the will of God entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.¡±
Believers can be sure that they were being called on to suffer according to God¡¯s will (2:15; 3:17; 4:2) if, having committed no crimes, they were suffering solely because they bore Christ¡¯s name. Then the summation: those who suffer are to express their faith by deliberately handing over their life and its circumstances to the Lord.
When we suffer, we are to commit our soul to our Faithful Creator. God has taken each of us on as sacred and inviolatable trust. And He who began this good work of transformation will carry it on in you until the day of Christ Jesus (Phil. 1:6).
Of all the titles for God, why use Creator? Te faithful Creator who originally made us in His image is now through Christ and the Spirit in the process of remaking us more and more like Him and less and less like the distortion which sin has created. He is to be trusted; He who calls us is faithful; He will do it (1 Thess. 5:24).
And, as we entrust ourselves to our faithful Creator, we should continue to do good. It is always the will of God, and it is always appropriate for the Christian to do good¡ªeven when we are suffering and hurting. That¡¯s what Paul and Silas did as they suffered in the Philippian jail; and that¡¯s what we should be doing day by day, living and even suffering for the glory of God.
A HANDICAPPED GIRL with leg braces became discouraged with her condition and wished she could quit her physical therapy. One day when her father insisted that she continue, she fell into his arms and asked, Daddy, don¡¯t you love me just the way I am?¡±
Knowing how she felt, he hugged her and replied, ¡°Yes, honey, l love you just the way you are. But I love you too much to let you stay that way."
God loves each of us just the way we are-imperfections and all. He loves us even though we struggle with sin. He has forgiven us and accepted us because we have received Jesus Christ as our Savior. But He loves us too much to let us remain as we are.
The Lord wants to change us. In our struggles against sin and through our sufferings, He desires, to develop our character so that we. become more like Christ. And He wants to reward us when we stand at the judgment seat of Christ to ¡°receive the things done in the body, . . . whether good or bad¡± (2 Cor. 5:10).
So as you face life's difficulties, remember that God loves you, and He wants to use the tests and trials you are experiencing to make you a better person. If you keep that truth in mind, you will be able to follow Peter's admonition to "commit" yourself to the Lord, and continue "doing good."
In CLOSING
Dear, precious people, may we be those who slowly but surely learn to embrace suffering. May we begin to understand that it truly loosens sin¡¯s grip on us, keeps us focused on eternity, empowers us to participate in ministry, allows us to experience glory, and reminds us to entrust our souls unto our Creator.
Jesus knew that the pain and suffering He endured on the Cross would be transformed into joy. Likewise, the struggle you face today¡ªemotional or financial, spiritual or physical¡ªhas the potential to birth something wonderful in your life.
¡°Count it all joy when ye fall into temptation, into trials, into suffering,¡± James wrote (1:2). May we be those who do just that. May we be those who find joy even in the difficulties that come our way, knowing they are the materials from which the Lord will fashion love, hope, joy and glory. May we realize suffering and glory are two sides of the same coin. If we have been imprinted by godly suffering, we will be transformed by eternal glory.
