Do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. (1 Peter 4:12-13)
We have no way of knowing exactly what trials Peter was referring to, but it is obvious from the language used here that they were intense. The word translated in the NIV as painful, literally refers to burning. These trials have been a major emphasis through out Peter’s letter to these early believers. You can find something about suffering mentioned in every chapter. However, Peter was not trying to convince his readers of the issue of suffering, they knew their circumstances all too well. He was helping them understand how to live through it. Peter wanted them to understand that this is really to be expected and accepted.
This new life, these early believers were experiencing and that you and I experience in Christ, is so amazing. Every thing is truly made new. Everything comes with a new perspective, even suffering. Do not be surprised, but rejoice. Rejoice because I suffer? I do not think Peter wanted His readers to look at their trials and jump for joy, but intsead rejoice because the suffering for doing right actually indicated their connection to Christ, which in the end leads to even greater joy. Jesus suffered for doing right, and if our Master suffered in that way, why would we expect it to be any different for us?
I have a picture in my mind, of a street that has speed bumps all along it. These speed bumps may be a pain to deal with. They may seem to slow you down. The truth is, they may even seem to be in your way, but in most cases speed bumps are placed to keep people safe. Suffering for living as God calls may seem to distract you, or knock you off course, and in most cases it will be painful, but it is part of this life. Not because God enjoys watching us squirm, but because He is cleansing and refining us. This, I believe, is the picture that Peter is presenting in these two verses. The burning or fiery trial is removing the impurities and preparing you for Christ. God is using these to form us into His image.
Furthermore, Jesus had to cross these same speed bumps, and as we follow in His path, we should understand that it is not always a smooth road. After all, look at what He endured. He stepped out of the glory of Heaven for our salvation, and received ridicule, skepticism, accusations of insanity, attempts to publicly humiliate Him, and eventually physical beatings, and an old rugged cross. He who knew no sin, became sin. He did not deserve death or the consequences of sin, but He took our sin upon Himself, and paid the price. If you can't rejoice because you suffer (I am not there yet), rejoice that through this process God is making you into the person He created you to be.
2 comments:
That is very true. With all the ways I have grown and the ways I've seen God provide. I am glad I am going through the hard times in my life. Its like a favorite southern gospel song says, "When your circumstance is as hopeless as can be, that's when God wants to hear you sing".
I am grateful for your reminder Seth. With all of my medical issues it is sometimes difficult to accept that our trials are "to be expected and accepted" as part of our journey to becoming as Christ would have us. Bev
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