Be not surprised nor ashamed : Peter exhorted us, “ Think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you” (1 Peter 4:12) and “Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed” (4:16). Our Lord Jesus says, “For everyone that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved” (John 3: 20), and “ if the world hate you, you know that it hated me before it hated you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hated you. Remember the word that I said unto you, the servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you” (John 15:18-20).
Paul also confirmed, “But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now” (Gal 4:29). “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Tim 3:12).
Dear friends, if you and I are born again and determined to live a godly life according to God’s Word without any compromise but with separation from sins, worldliness and unbiblical doctrines, we shall surely encounter the hatred, opposition and persecutions from the world and even from unregenerate “Christians.” May God help us not to be surprised nor ashamed when we are despised, rejected, hated, or persecuted.
Suffer according to God’s will: Jesus suffered according to His Father’s will, so you and I should not suffer because of our sins “as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evil doer, or as a busybody in other men’s matter” (1 Peter 4:15), but only “suffer according to the will of God” (4:19), which means to suffer for the name of Christ (4:14), as a Christian (4:16), for Jesus’ sake (Matt 5:11), for righteousness’ sake (3:14; Matt 5:10), for good conduct in Christ and for well doing (3:16-17), for a good conscience toward God (2:19; 3:16; Acts 23:1; 24:16); for the gospel’s (Mark 8:35), and for the word of God and the testimony of Christ (Rev 1:9; Mark 4:17). Then are you and I suffering according to God’s will?
Look unto the Lord and follow His steps : I t is vital for us to look unto Jesus all the time in our sufferings in order to be strengthened, encouraged, comforted and carried through by His grace: “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds” (Heb 12:2-3).
Rejoice and glorify God: You and I should rejoice and glorify God even in sufferings according to God’s will because (1) “the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified”“For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also t o suffer for his sake” (Phil 1:29); (3) we will know our Lord more, and His power and even “ fellowship of his sufferings” (Phil 3:10); (4) we will be more refined in sufferings (1 Peter 1:7; 4:1; Job 23:10) and “may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God” (2 Thess 1:5); (5) we will be comforted and more mature to comfort others in sufferings (2 Cor 1:4); (6) our light and temporary sufferings are not worthy to be compared with the far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory (Rom 8:18; 2 Cor 4:17); and (7) it is the Lord’s command with His reward: “Rejoice (Keep on rejoicing) , and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven” (Matt 5:12), and “If we suffer, we shall also reign with him” (2 Tim 2:12). Then, may the Lord help us rejoice and glorify Him in our sufferings for Him and His truth. (1 Peter 4:14). We do glorify God when we do not give up, but persevere, press on and are still faithful to Him and His Word unto death; (2) it is our great privilege to bear our Lord’s name and suffer for His sake,
Trust in God and commit everything to Him ( 4:19). When Pilate said to Jesus, “Speakest thou not unto me? Know thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?” Jesus answered, “ Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above” (John 19:10-11). Our Lord trusted in His Father’s sovereignty with His full submission, “The cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it”? (John 18:11), and “when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously” (1 Peter 2:23). Paul did the same, “For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day” (2 Tim 1:12). It is good and wise for you and me to trust in the Lord and commit everything to Him in our sufferings.
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