Spirit Empowered to Rejoice in Suffering (1Peter 4:12-16)

SPIRIT EMPOWERED TO REJOICE IN SUFFERING (1Peter 4:12-16): 

Peter addresses the elect as beloved as he affirms their bondage in God as stewards and partakers of God’s grace. He writes them not to be surprised at the different trials that come upon them to test them. Peter already introduces the believers about the need for the trials and the sufferings as God’s people. The testing of faith will help believers to become purer and grow in spiritual status. The trials may not be very simple and it could be much complicated and sometimes weird, so Peter says the elect not to be shocked as though the strange things were happening to them suddenly. Peter writes the elect instead to rejoice in whatever they have to share in Christ’s sufferings. Though it is difficult to digest the sufferings because of the trials and for the sake of doing good, if we look at the suffering that the Lord Jesus Christ endured as a perfect example, the sufferings will be comparatively very less and tolerable. Also, Peter affirms that the believers will receive their reward for sharing in Christ’s sufferings when the glory is revealed during the Judgment, which could be a reason with faith for rejoicing and being glad in sufferings.

The Spirit of God remains in every believer in Christ. Whoever has come into the faith of the Lord Jesus by repentance and confession, had gained the inheritance to be children of God.  When the believer is insulted for the name of Christ, they are blessed as Christ who had been insulted, humiliated and crucified, rose in his glory, and raised above all the dominion and power. Also as believers, the Spirit of glory and God rests in them as they glorify God by their deeds and they are glorified because of their perfect values of God.

There is always consequences for everything a person does or undergoes, even suffering for the sake of God and for goodness. It could be beneficial to proclaim the Grace of God through the Lord Jesus Christ. At the same time, Peter knew that there are also consequences for the sin. So, Peter cautions the believers not to suffer as a murderer or thief or evildoer or as a meddler. Because the sufferings due to evil actions are ungodly and it is needed to be endured as a fair consequence for the actions with shame. A Christian believer is called to suffer even for doing good which is of higher value and they needn’t be ashamed for the sufferings because they have a chance to glorify God, owing to that with tolerance and patience. Also, if a Christian suffers for the mistake, he can welcome it willingly and try to correct the mistake by means of compensation or endurance, so that it will glorify God in the front of others.

Stimulations for Self-Reflection

1.      For what the believers should be surprised? Why?

2.      What do you mean by ‘fiery trial’?

3.      How a believer should be in sharing Christ’s sufferings? Why?

4.      What do you mean by ‘when His glory is revealed?

5.      When a believer is called to be blessed? Why?

6.      Have you been insulted for the name of Christ? How did you handle it?

7.      What do you mean by, ‘Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you’?

8.      How believers are not supposed to suffer? Why?

9.      If the believer suffers as a Christian, how he should be?

10.  How we can endure the sufferings for God?