Glory of Suffering

Intro.

I once knew a man who, when his sons would talk back or in some way become disrespectful, would take them outside to a place where there was a pile of cinder blocks. His order for them would be to pick up each cinder block and carry it several yards. Perhaps even moving the whole pile more than once, for all I know.

But, why would he do this to his sons? Because it disciplined them and trained them not to do wrong or disobey!

Hebrews 12:9–11 LSB

9 Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them. Shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our benefit, so that we may share His holiness. 11 And all discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful, but to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.

The Bible tells us that God is a good Father Who disciplines His own children, the Church.

I’ll give you yet another example: A good coach does not allow his team to sit idle until the game day comes around, why? Because it is by discipline and training and suffering that the team is prepared for the struggle of the game and also prepared for the victory if they have been taught well by the disciplining. Would we think God doesn’t train us to be prepared for moments of struggle or even preparing us for heaven and glory?

Yet, when we think of the phrase “discipline,” we most often will associate it with punishment rather than training. Sometimes there is the punishment aspect, but real discipline never stops at being just punishment — it is a training for improvement! That suffering in the disciplining either of our own bodies and wills, or that which is given to us by parents or coaches or bosses is supposed to end in us being better than we were before. Today, we are going to talk more about why this suffering is necessary for Christians and unpack a little more of what Peter says about it.

1 Peter 4:12–18 LSB

12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you. 13 But to the degree you are sharing the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; 16 but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be put to shame, but is to glorify God in this name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin with the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner?

Fiery Trial

Often in life, especially in the very wealthy and privileged west, we encounter various kinds of hardships in our life that take us by surprise and we are shocked by them. Whether we’ve done anything to deserve them or not, many people are found to be bewailing their circumstances and calling for an easier life for themselves. Yet, notice how Peter starts off this section in v. 12, “Do not be surprised at the fiery trial among you!”

In the daily “Christianity” of our culture, I wonder how many believers take the same attitude about our walk of faith?

So often we avoid any and all discomforts. We don’t want to rock the boat too badly, and we don’t want to create friction in our families or friend circles so we decide that we aren’t going to get that involved and stand up about spiritual matters. It is a sign of spiritual immaturity. And if we are too afraid, having not enough faith to speak in a free place openly about the blessedness of Christ, we surely would not stand firm if the government of culture came down on us in much more violent ways.

Yet, as I fear many Christians in our own nation would be shocked and shrink back, Peter tells the Church not to be surprised “as if something strange were happening!”

2 Timothy 3:10–12 LSB

10 But you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance, 11 persecutions, and sufferings, such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra. What persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord rescued me! 12 Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

Matthew 5:10–12 LSB

10 Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12 “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Family, if we are truly living out pursuit of godliness in all aspects of life then trial and persecution is a part of that! Peter reminds us over and over how we are to be living the call of Christ and doing the right thing even when it brings us pain and suffering — because for those who endure it brings life and favor from God!

In fact, it brings so much blessing from God, look what Peter says next about our suffering in Christ:

Fellowship in Suffering

1 Peter 4:13 LSB

13 But to the degree you are sharing the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.

Hear a quote I found regarding this passage:

“The purpose of suffering is to prepare graceful heirs for heavenly Glory. Christians can delight with Paul because suffering prepares a person for heaven. They can rejoice and be happy to participate in the suffering of Christ. Consequently, Christians should thank God for the privilege to share in His suffering.”

The word for “share” in this verse is the verb form of the word translated as “fellowship” in other passages in the New Testament. When we experience suffering in this life on behalf of Christ and our pursuit of His glory and kingdom, we are in effect fellowshiping with our Lord in His own sufferings!

Not only are we privileged to be part of His work on Earth to bring souls to salvation, but it is a privilege to share with Him in His suffering as well…would you say til now that you’ve viewed it as such?

And Peter says we are to rejoice and be glad in such a persecution, knowing that at the “revelation of the glory of Christ we may rejoice and be overjoyed.”

As the commentator says, suffering in this life prepares us for our heavenly glory! as the Apostle John wrote about our glorified bodies, “we shall see Him as He is because we shall be like Him.”

Because of the suffering we are able to endure in this life, the revealed glory of Christ when He takes us home will be so much greater and we will be able to experience that joy even fuller!

Suffering is not something for Christians to shy away from! It is only to those that “endure” til the end that find salvation, and endurance is not endurance without suffering! But, make sure you suffer in this life for righteousness --

For Being a Christian

1 Peter 4:15–19 LSB

15 Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; 16 but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be put to shame, but is to glorify God in this name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin with the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner? 19 Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God must entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing good.

It is for the person of God to suffer as according to the will of God and not the will of the flesh!

Steer clear of the things of the flesh which cause us pain. It does not good for us to suffer for these things.

If you suffer, make sure that it is for living like a Christian so that you are not shamed, but that God is glorified! When we suffer according to His will and faithful subjection to it, He is glorified in us.

1 Peter 4:17–19 LSB

17 For it is time for judgment to begin with the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner? 19 Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God must entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing good.

Judgment here is the disciplining and training we were talking about earlier:

Nero was in power and in only a short time after this letter, he would begin to persecute the Church heavily. the Church would then be persecuted all over the world in various times and ways since then!

Judgement, or a disciplining and training from the hand of God, comes on those who are His own children! Those who are made righteous by the blood of Christ! Yet, that reality we can claim does not exempt us from pain on earth! I find it interesting what Matthew Henry said:

It is as much as the best can do to secure the salvation of their souls; there are so many sufferings, temptations, and difficulties to be overcome, so many sins to be mortified, the gate is so strait and the way so narrow, that it is as much as the righteous can do to be saved. Let the absolute necessity of salvation balance the difficulty of it. Consider, Your difficulties are greatest at first; God offers his grace and help; the contest will not last long; be but faithful to the death, and God will give you the crown of life, Rev. 2.10.

No man reaches heaven without difficulty in this life. If we have claimed Christ and laid hold of His sacrifice we must then also be willing to suffer on behalf of it! If we claim Christ then shrink back and hide at the first hint of suffering, we then prove that the Almighty Savior did not have our full allegiance even we were truly saved at the first!

And if the Church does not reach heaven without suffering, what comes of those who never lay hold of Christ? They receive the eternal punishment.

Our suffering is momentary and temporal, but the suffering of the unconverted is eternal! Someone wrote that our earthly suffering is in a way a picture of what comes to the sinner who never obeyed the Gospel.

Conclusion

So, what are we to do with all of this?

We must grow up in Christ and put on maturity. Be willing to suffer and endure for the cause of your King and Savior!

Say no to pressures to sin and lusts of the flesh

Say yes to hard righteousness

Engage in uncomfortable and hard conversations and keep on in Christ

In the spirit of this last, as we ourselves must take up the strength of God and be willing to suffer, we must also let the fate of the sinner stir us to love and preaching the Gospel!

No one ever knew God without hearing someone honestly show them the way of Truth — and you are the priest to whom people should be able to come and receive knowledge!

Do not let the sinner go without having struggled for their soul!