1 Peter, Day 4
1 Peter 4
Let’s say one day you decide, “I need to get myself into shape.” So, you identify a workout routine that fits you, and the next day you wake up and start executing the routine. We can all predict what happens next. The day after you begin your routine, you wake up so sore it hurts to move. I’m not a personal trainer or training expert, but although uncomfortable, I always took soreness (at least in the beginning stages of my pursuit of fitness) as a sign I was doing something correctly. I was working towards a larger goal and had to experience some discomfort in order to reach it.
1 Peter 4:12 – 14 says, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.”
When we begin or alter a workout routine, we are to expect muscle soreness. Similarly, when we are living according to the Spirit of God, we should expect difficulties. 1 Peter 4:14 tells us we should rejoice in these times because it shows that the Spirit of God rests in us.
The Scriptures are clear: when we are doing what honors God, we are going to face opposition. For example, our verse today says we will be insulted. We know this is coming, yet like a workout routine, when we experience opposition it can be difficult to press on. Yet Verse 16 tells us that we should not be ashamed when we suffer for Christ (not like when we suffer for living out the desires of our flesh) but instead honor God in the suffering.
Instead of being ashamed or giving up, we are to double down on our commitment to Christ and place our hope and our future in the hands of our Creator (1 Peter 4:19). This means that in spite of my desire to give up or act in a way that does not honor God in my suffering for His name’s sake, I must continue to press on and do what honors God and trust in Him for the outcome.
This is not an easy task; there are going to be times where choosing to honor God in our interaction with someone who is causing us pain is going to go against every desire in our earthly nature. There will also be times when the suffering is so great, we will be tempted to give up our pursuit of God and fall back to where it is easier. In these times, I’m reminded of the words of Matthew 7:13 – 14. The difficult path, the one where God is present, may be hard, but it is the path that leads to life — because it is the path where God is.
Adam Deering