Peter encourages the recipients of this letter in the midst of the suffering they are currently experiencing and will experience as Nero begins to focus his anger on Christians. This is a timely message to today’s church as well. Peter makes it clear, however, that not all suffering is equal.

Here is the video link:

1 Peter 4:12-19… Suffering for our faith

The audio links are to the right and the transcript of today’s podcast is below.

4:12-19 Suffering for being a Christ-Follower

12 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. 

Here the idea of refining is found in the word “painful” (lit., “burning”), a word used in the refining of metals. Suffering for being a Christ-follower (more on that in a minute) has a purpose… and it is related to the refining process. Extreme heat is used in refining silver – as heat is increased, the impurities in the silver ore rises to the top and is scraped away. When the refining process is complete, the refiner can see his/her reflection in the molten silver.  The implication here is that suffering for being a Christ-follower should STRENGTHEN your reflection of Christ, your affinity with Him, your being identified with Him. If you are a true believer, being persecuted for His Name should draw you closer to Him, not drive you away. The people who are driven away from the Church because of tribulation or persecution, were not truly believers. Suffering not only purifies the individual believer, it also purifies the Church as a whole, driving away those who were Christians in name only. 

Jesus himself said,

“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first” 

In the light of Jesus’ experience and teaching, his followers should expect troubles, but troubles should encourage them (cf. Jn 16:33).

13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.

Folks – suffering is part and parcel of the Christian experience. In the times this letter was written, Nero was preparing to launch an assault on the Church. The degree of THEIR suffering was going to be far beyond mere name-calling and derisive comments aimed at them from the surrounding pagan community. Death by torture and execution was soon going to be on the table as punishment for being a follower of Jesus.

 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. 

When insults are hurled at us because we are Christ-followers – be glad! Why? Because that is proof that you are a visible Christ-follower. We are not meant to hide the light of God, or to hide our faith under a bushel (or bowl as says the NIV).

Matthew 5:14

 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds 

In the OT as in the NT, light most frequently symbolizes purity as opposed to filth, truth as opposed to error, knowledge as opposed to ignorance, and divine revelation and presence as opposed to reprobation and abandonment by God.

If you are around me for more than a few minutes, you will find out I am a follower of Jesus. I do my level-best to display my faith through word and deed as I walk through my day. I am not walking around preaching at everybody, I am not walking around pointing my finger at anybody. I am focused on loving God with all my heart, soul, and mind, and in loving my neighbor as myself. In the process, God’s Name is proclaimed through what I do and what I say.

15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 

Much suffering is the punishment or consequence of sin. If we believers suffer, it should be because of our union with Jesus, not any union with evil. Christians must make a clear break with sin (4:1-3; cf. Ro 6:1ff.; 1Co 6:9-11). The sins mentioned here characterize a pagan, not a Christian, lifestyle. We, as followers, are NOT to look like the world around us.

16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 

But to suffer as a “Christian” is no shame. The title “Christian,” which is now so common, was just coming into use when Peter wrote. At first Christians were known as “Jews,” “disciples,” “believers,” “the Lord’s disciples,” and those “who belonged to the Way” (cf. Ac 1:15; 2:44; 6:1; 9:1-2). It was not until the church took root in Antioch that the word “Christians” for believers began to be used (see comment on Ac 11:26). 

The use of the name “Christian” posed two great problems for the church. For one thing, Christians began to risk losing the protection that Rome gave to a religio licita (i.e., a legal religion), which they had enjoyed when considered only a sect within Judaism. As that realization became clearer to Rome, persecution of Christians became more frequent. 

To call yourself a Christian was to invite trouble from the government of the day, as well as secular forces.

Peter’s injunction not to feel shame to suffer as a Christian recalls his own shame at his betrayal of Jesus (Mk 14:66-72). “That you bear that name” probably refers to the name “Christian.”

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?”[a]

(This judgment is not, of course, a punishment for the believers’ sins, which were laid on Jesus.) God is currently “judging” i.e. “refining” the Church and the final doom on the disobedient is certain to follow shortly. 

19 So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

The conclusion to this section is that the Christians who are suffering according to the divine will (1:6; 3:17) are to “commit themselves” to God. In his seventh word from the Cross, Jesus used this verb in committing his Spirit to God (Lk 23:46). Peter describes God as the “faithful Creator.” The combination of these two words reminds believers of God’s love and power in the midst of trials so that they will not doubt his interest or ability. 

The continuation in good works is a concrete sign of the faith that is the essence of being a Christian. In other words, if you are a Christ-follower, you will act like it. James said in his letter –

“You say you have faith. Good. I show you my faith by what I do.”

Blessings!

Paige C. Garwood M.Ed; MFA