Living for the Will of God During Suffering (1 Peter 4:12-14)

Persecution is not something that is alien to the Christian life. Throughout history the people of God have suffered at the hands of the unbelieving world. Christians are different from unbelievers, and this different kind of life produces a different kind of lifestyle. Much of what goes on in the world depends on lies, pride, pleasure, and the desire to “get more.” A dedicated Christian builds his life on truth, humility, holiness, and the desire to glorify God.

I. Expect Suffering (1 Peter 4:12)

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

A. God declared war on Satan after the Fall of man.

Satan has been attacking God through His people ever since. Christians are “strangers and pilgrims” in an alien world where Satan is the god and prince. Whatever glorifies God will anger the enemy, and he will attack. For believers, persecution is not a strange thing. The absence of satanic opposition would be strange!

Jesus explained to His disciples that they should expect opposition and persecution from the world. But He also gave them an encouraging promise: “In the world you will have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). It was through His death on the cross, plus His resurrection, that He overcame sin and the world.

B. Not all of the difficulties of life are necessarily fiery trials.

There are some difficulties that are simply a part of human life and almost everybody experiences them. Unfortunately, there are some difficulties that we bring on ourselves because of disobedience and sin.

It is because we bear the name of Christ that the lost world attacks us. Christ told His disciples that people would persecute them, as they had Him, because their persecutors did not know God.

II. Rejoice in Suffering.

A.Our suffering means fellowship with Christ (v. 13).

13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.

It is an honor and a privilege to suffer with Christ and be treated by the world the way it treated Him. “The fellowship of His sufferings” is a gift from God. Not every believer grows to the point where God can trust them with this kind of experience, so we ought to rejoice when the privilege comes to us. “And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name” (Acts 5:41).

Christ is with us in the furnace of persecution. When the three Hebrew young men were cast into the fiery furnace, they discovered they were not alone. The Lord was with Paul in all of his trials, and He promises to be with us “to the end of the age”. The truth is when sinners persecute us, they are really persecuting Jesus Christ.

B. Our suffering means glory in the future.

“Suffering” and “glory” are twin truths that are woven into the fabric of Peter’s letter. The world believes that the absence of suffering means glory, but a Christian’s outlook is different. The trial of our faith today is the assurance of glory when Jesus returns. This was the experience of our Lord, and it shall also be our experience.

But it is necessary to understand that God is not going to replace suffering with glory; rather He will transform suffering into glory. Jesus used the illustration of a woman giving birth. The same baby that gave her pain also gave her joy. The pain was transformed into joy by the birth of the baby. The thorn in the flesh that gave Paul difficulty also gave him power and glory. The cross that gave Jesus shame and pain also brought power and glory.

Mature people know that life includes some “postponed pleasures.” We pay a price today in order to have enjoyments in the future. The athlete may not enjoy exercising and practicing their skills, but they look forward to winning the game. Christians have something even better: our very sufferings will one day be transformed into glory

C. Our suffering brings us the ministry of the Holy Spirit (v. 14).

14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.

He is the Spirit of glory and He has a special ministry to those who suffer for the glory of Jesus Christ. When the people stoned Stephen, he saw Jesus in heaven and experienced God’s glory.

Suffering Christians do not have to wait for heaven in order to experience His glory. Through the Holy Spirit, they can have the glory now. This explains how martyrs could sing praises to God while bound in the midst of blazing fires. It also explains how persecuted Christians (and there are many in today’s world) can go to prison and to death without complaining or resisting their captors.

D. Our suffering enables us to glorify His name.

We suffer because of His name. You can tell your unsaved friends that you believe in God, and there will be no opposition; but tell them you are a Christian—bring Christ’s name into the conversation—and things will start to happen. Our authority is in the name of Jesus, and Satan hates that name. The world may speak against His name, but we will speak and live a life that His name will be honored and God will be pleased.

The word “Christian” is found only three times in the entire New Testament. The name was originally given by the enemies of the church as a term of reproach; but in time, it became an honored name. Of course, in today’s world, the word “Christian” means to most people the opposite of “pagan.” But the word carries the idea of “a Christ one, belonging to Christ.” Certainly it is a privilege to bear the name and to suffer for His name’s sake.