Knowing the Desirous will of God: Suffer in some circumstances for our consistent testimony

In the first epistle from the apostle Peter, he writes to the saints that have been dispersed due to persecution throughout the Roman Empire into primarily Gentile regions (1 Peter 1:1).

1 Peter 1:1

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the elect pilgrims of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

In this letter he writes concerning the persecution they will face and how to overcome it.

Today, these words still hold true. When we as Christians are in areas that are primarily governed by unbelievers, living out our salvation will bring suffering.

We are not to follow in the ways of the unsaved,

for they live a life of futility and are completely focused on satisfying their own depraved desires.

They corrupt everything they touch, even the concept of love.

Rather, we are to be of one frame of mind, suffering together, friendly, compassionate, and humble,

not paying back wrong for wrong or verbal abuse for verbal abuse (1 Peter 3:8-9).

1 Peter 3:8–9 (NKJV)

Finally, all of you be of one mind, suffering together; friendly , compassionate, humble; not returning wrong for wrong or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.

We are called to inherent a good eulogy,

for the Lord already speaks well of us in all spiritual things in the heavens (Ephesians 1:3).

Ephesians 1:3 NKJV

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,

Therefore, knowing we are called to this, let us speak well of others by speaking with grace,

not considering if they deserve for us to speak in a good manner towards or about them,

but because of who we are in Christ,

as we refrain our tongue from wrong while turning from what is wrong to do what is beneficial while pursuing peace (1 Peter 3:9-11).

1 Peter 3:9–11 NKJV

not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. For “He who would love life And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit. Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it.

However, this type of lifestyle will bring suffering from those who do not like being exposed for who they really are by our good conduct.

And since as Christians we will suffer, let us suffer for doing good,

not for taking revenge, or returning verbal abuses with the same vile speech,

but rather responding to what is wrong by doing what is right and set apart Christ as Master in our lives,

always ready to give an answer for the hope that we have (1 Peter 3:15).

1 Peter 3:15 NKJV

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;

This all needs to be done with an objectivity of mind and respect while having a good conscience so that those who speak against us will be put to shame by our good conduct in Christ (1 Peter 3:16).

1 Peter 3:16 NKJV

having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.

We are not to think it a strange thing to face fiery temptations,

Christ suffered in the flesh and when we live righteously,

we will also suffer.

Darkness does not like the light,

for it has no power against it and light exposes all things for what they truly are,

and we are to live as luminaries among this perverse and corrupt generation (Philippians 2:15).

Philippians 2:15 NKJV

that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,

Living a lifestyle that represents who we are in Christ will bring all kinds of verbal assaults on us by those who do not share in our moral standards.

They will heap insults upon us, make fun of us, lie about us, spread rumors, and do all kinds of malicious things against us,

all because we are doing what is right.

It is not easy to suffer rejection and verbal abuse by our peers;

however, the pressure they put on us is not something we should ever succumb to

because when we suffer for doing good we are partaking in the suffering of Christ

and the end result will be a good word concerning us by others (1 Peter 4:12).

1 Peter 4:12 NKJV

Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;

They may blasphemy Christ and God;

however, let us show a proper opinion of who He is,

not suffering as those who senselessly slaughter, steal, do wrong, or are busy bodies (1 Peter 4:15),

1 Peter 4:15 NKJV

But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters.

but for doing His desirous will and living righteously through it.

Judgment is coming, and it starts within the household of God,

so if in this life we suffer, let us suffer because we are doing the desirous will of God and living our life in a manner that is committed to our faithful Creator.

1 Peter 3:17

For it is better while doing good if he desirously wills the desirous will of the God to suffer than while doing wrong.

1 Peter 4:19

Wherefore also the suffering according to the desirous will of God, as to a faithful Creator, while entrusting our souls in doing good.