1 Peter 4:12-19 - Rejoicing in Trials and Suffering

Observations & Applications:

1. The Central Idea of the Text is that Peter encourages his readers to see their Christian suffering as indicative of their union and walk with Christ. Having the divine perspective was intended to help them frame their experiences in such a way so as to give meaning and purpose to their trials.
2. Rejoicing in the midst of Christian suffering is an act of the will, not a natural emotional response. By faith, we choose to praise God in the midst of suffering, knowing He’s placing us in the furnace of affliction to burn away the dross of weak character and to develop those golden qualities that reflect His character. We trust that when He turns up the heat, He never takes His hand off the thermostat.
3. We may experience suffering for a while as we live the Christian life (John 15:20-21; 2 Tim 3:12), but unbelievers will suffer for all eternity, and this because they have rejected Jesus as their Savior (John 3:18, 36).
4. Should we face death at the hands of haters, we are to entrust ourselves to God as the Keeper of our souls (Luke 23:46; Acts 7:59). The Lord who gives us grace to live, will also give us grace to die, if/when that time comes. Remember, we are the Lord’s, and “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His godly ones” (Psa 116:15).
5. Though we cannot control much of the suffering that comes into our lives, we can control our response to it, as we can look to God and maintain faith in His Word. Jesus was not overcome by the cruelty and suffering He endured, but showed love and forgiveness to His attackers (Luke 23:34). Stephen, who spoke strong words of truth while filled with the Holy Spirit, prayed for those who stoned him to death (Acts 7:60). Paul and Silas demonstrated loving concern for the jailer who kept them in chains, sharing the gospel with him when given the opportunity (Acts 16:22-31). Our lives may be vulnerable to the unjust pain and suffering caused by others, but we must look beyond the suffering and be willing to love even our attackers for the sake of Christ in the hope that they may come to know the gospel and be
6. As Christians, we live in a fallen world that plays by unfair and unethical rules. Lies, dishonesty, deception, and propaganda are some of the ways of the world. But we must never be marked by such things. Rather, we should speak the truth in love, pursue honesty, and always stand on the ground of God’s Word. It is on the ground of Scripture that we maintain our walk with the Lord and find strength for the battles of life. If we abandon Scripture and play by the rules of the world, then it’s an automatic defeat for us. But living by God’s rules can lead to unjust persecution. This is a real possibility. And if this happens, “it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong” (1 Pet 3:17), and “those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right” (1 Pet 4:19). May we choose to pursue a righteous life before God and others with our eyes open, with complete confidence in our Lord, trusting He will sustain us to the end of our days.