Suffering persecution

“Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world. If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ, you will be blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you. If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people’s affairs. But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name! For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God’s household. And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those who have never obeyed God’s Good News?” 1 Peter‬ ‭4‬:‭12‬-‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

It is very interesting that Peter concludes this thought about suffering with a statement about judgement. Where did judgement and suffering become linked?

Is he saying that some of the suffering we endure is because of judgement? Have I brought this experience of suffering upon myself? If so, how?

Peter’s whole letter seems to be focused on encouragement to those Christians in Asia who are suffering. In Chapter 1 he talks about suffering, in verse 6 he says: “So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.”
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We do face trials. The Christians under Nero suffered persecution. It is believed that at the time of writing Peter was in Rome. As he did not mention Paul it would have been at a different time to Paul being in Rome. History tells us of the horrible things Nero did to Christians. They we tied to stakes and set alight as human torches. Peter was crucified, it ai believed he chose to be crucified upside down.

We know of horrible persecutions of Christians in the world today. Many are being slaughtered just for being a Christian and gathering to worship the Lord. Many are incarcerated for their faith and suffer torture for refusing to recant.

It so better to be persecuted for doing right than being under judgement fr wrong behaviour. Always I must ask, have I caused this persecution? If I have then I am under judgement, if I haven’t then I am experiencing genuine persecution.

Persecution has a purpose, to eradicate and punish believers. However, it fails on every count as more come to faith, not less. Chinese Christians, when they ask for prayer, is not for the end of persecution but strength to be a godly witness amid it. May we, who do not face persecution, pray and uphold the saints who suffer. Amen!


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