by Rob Jackson

I Peter 4:12-19

 Why would God ever allow a person who believes in God, who really loves and follows God, to suffer persecution? This is the point of this passage, to discuss the question of persecution, of the fiery trial that the believer sometimes has to suffer.

The reality is that trials are inevitable for the believer. “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12). Believers often do not understand why they have to suffer. When they suffer, they are surprised and astonished, and they wonder why God does not protect them from suffering and from persecution. This is especially true when persecution is fiery, and so long as the believer is upon earth, he is going to be called upon to face fiery trials. Being a genuine believer in a corrupt world is difficult. People often oppose the believer's stand for Christ.

Trials are painful. It may be next door, in the office, in school, in the government, or a hundred other places, but the genuine Christian is often neglected, slandered, avoided, ridiculed, mocked, isolated, questioned, abused, and mistreated. The sufferings of the early Christians were just what Peter says, “fiery.” Most of us have seen pictures of believers being fed to wild lions and burned at the stake. But these were mild deaths compared to what some believers suffered. (See Foxes Book of Martyrs for a complete discussion of the persecution of believers down through the centuries.)

 Why does God allow the believer to suffer persecution? This passage says that God allows it for one very basic reason: to test and try and prove us. This means at least four things.

•  Persecution measures how strong our faith is. Any person's faith can be measured by how much he is willing to sacrifice and bear for it. Suffering persecution for Christ shows how strong or weak our faith really is.

•  Persecution proves our trust in God and teaches us to trust and depend upon God more and more. The more we suffer for Christ, the more we draw near God and plead for His help and strength.

•  Persecution proves and strengthens our patience and endurance. The more we are tried and persecuted, the more we endure; and the more we endure, the more we are taught to endure. Persecution strengthens our patience, endurance, perseverance, and steadfastness in Christ.

•  Persecution proves our faith and attracts others to Christ. When we suffer and are persecuted, others can see the strength of Christ in us. They see that our faith in Christ is a living reality and they are drawn to Christ, to His salvation and love and care and strength. When others see us suffer for the hope of salvation and eternal life, the Holy Spirit uses our suffering to speak to the hearts of the persecutors and observers. He convicts them, and some eventually turn to Christ. Our faith is proven to be true, and it bears fruit.

(John 15:19, John 15:18 & 22, Philippians 1:29, 2 Timothy 3:12, 1 John 3:13).

 Our response to trials is to reflect the truths of this passage.  We are to rejoice in persecution.  The greater the suffering, the greater the joy, IF we respond properly. This is difficult to do, for no person likes to suffer abuse or pain of any sort, but especially when it is inflicted by neighbors, friends, or co-workers. No person likes to be isolated, ridiculed, bypassed, scorned, imprisoned, or called upon to face death. Therefore, it is difficult to rejoice in persecution. Nevertheless this is the exhortation of Scripture.

 When we suffer, we are sharing in Christ's sufferings. Christ was rejected by men because He lived and proclaimed the righteousness and salvation of God. Therefore, when we suffer for following Christ—for living and proclaiming the righteousness and salvation of God—we are suffering for the very same reason that Christ suffered. We are denying ourselves and suffering for God and His righteousness just as Christ did. To be so identified with Christ, who is the very Son of God Himself, is the height of privileges, a great reason for joy and rejoicing. Also, we must remember that when we suffer, we shall be greatly rewarded when Christ returns in glory.  

(Matthew 5:11-12, Acts 5:41, Romans 8:16-17, 2 Corinthians 4:17, 2 Timothy 2:10, Hebrews 10:34, Hebrews 11:26, 1 Peter 4:11-12).

Do not be ashamed to suffer for being a Christian (v.16). The name Christian was given to the early believers by unbelievers. It was a name of derision and ridicule and mockery. Early believers called themselves brothers, believers, disciples, and saints. Apparently they did not call themselves Christians until much later. The point is this: if a believer is being ridiculed, mocked, cursed, abused, or persecuted because he is a Christian, he is not to be ashamed. No believer should ever be ashamed of the fact that he is a Christian. He is to take a stand for Christ and stand firm. He is to glorify God by standing up for and honoring the name of Christ.

(Romans 1:16, 1 Peter 4:16).

God is either glorifying the name of Christ or purifying the life of the believer by the suffering. God can be trusted; He will not fail the believer. He will either deliver the believer through the suffering or else on home to be with Christ forever. God will save the believer's soul. The believer can trust God, trust Him far more than any friend on earth, for God never fails. God is a faithful Creator. He has created us to be with Him eternally, and His plan will not be defeated. If we commit our souls to Him, no matter what men may do to us, God will save us. He will fulfill His plan and purpose in our lives.

(2 Timothy 1:12, 2 Timothy 4:18, Genesis 28:15, Isaiah 41:10).