Expect To Be Persecuted
Devotions for Growing Christians
Expect To Be Persecuted
1 Peter 4:12 – “Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.” (Read 1 Peter 4:12-19.)
We don’t we hear many sermons from 1 Peter 4 these days. Why not? Maybe it’s because chapter 4 focuses on believers suffering persecution for following Christ. Ouch! We’d much rather talk about how God will bless us and keep us from harm, right? "Saved to suffer" is not exactly a pleasant concept. It may even cause some people to question, or think negatively about, God. But Scripture shows us that God has a reasons for permitting His children to be persecuted.
The apostle Peter has a lot to say about persecution in this letter. It was written just before the outbreak of the Roman oppression under Nero in 64AD. 1 Peter 4:12 could be seen as a prophecy of the coming Roman persecutions of the Christian Church. However, it’s applicable to all Christians, so believers today can expect some form of persecution for their faith.
The word “suffering” comes up often in 1 Peter, but it’s important to note that it’s not about car problems, poverty, or health issues. It’s about persecutions that come into the lives of Christians simply because they are Christians: slander, reproach, mockery, scorn, put-downs, cut-downs, verbal abuse, social ostracism, torture, and sometimes even martyrdom.
Have you experienced persecution and/or hatred at your job or campus because of your faith? In some countries, violent physical persecution is a way of life for Christians. Peter says, “Don’t be surprised!” This is part of being a Christian. It should be expected.
The obvious question is, “Why does God let this happen?” Several reasons are given in the verses that follow 1 Peter 4:12.
Future Glory
The blessings of present and future glory are promised (v13-14). If we’re willing to suffer with Christ now, we’ll share in His glory when He returns. "But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering" (Romans 8:17). Referring to persecution for His sake, the Lord Jesus said, "God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right… Be happy about it… For a great reward awaits you in heaven." (Matthew 5:10-12).
The Bible doesn’t tell us exactly what's involved in sharing Christ's glory, but when the effects of sin are completely erased from the universe in the future, we know the glory of God will be displayed through His creation forever. We have the opportunity of investing in that future glory today. This high calling should help us to endure the scorn that we often experience as Christ-followers in a secular culture.
It’s important to understand that “sharing in the sufferings of Christ” (v13) has nothing to do with Christ's sufferings on the cross. His suffering for our sins was completed when Jesus Christ proclaimed triumphantly from the cross, "It is finished" (John 19:30).
The sufferings of Christ that we share now are sufferings for the sake of Christ. They’re called “the sufferings of Christ” because the body of Christ on earth (all believers) suffers whenever Christians are persecuted for the name of Christ (Colossians 1:24). When Paul (then called Saul) was on his way to Damascus to persecute Christians, the resurrected Christ asked him, "Why do you persecute Me?" But the “Church persecuted” will be the “Church glorified” when Christians are united with Christ in Heaven!
Present Glory
A present glory is associated with being persecuted for following Christ. The Holy Spirit of glory rests upon us when we are despised for the name of Christ (v14). All believers have the Holy Spirit dwelling in them (Romans 8:9-11; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 1:13), but persecuted believers have the Holy Spirit resting on them.
Persecuted Christians come to know more of the reality of the presence of God. Their relationship becomes much deeper and more intimate than when a believer is unwilling to suffer. It’s like the connection between two soldiers going through the thick of battle together. Their relationship will be much closer than a "peacetime" friendship. Remember, we have the privilege of growing our relationship with the Lord in this was only during our earthly life. There will be no persecution in heaven.
Renewed Commitment
In verses 15-16, Peter stressed that suffering for the sake of Christ has nothing whatsoever to do with suffering we deserve because of our own wrongdoing.
In verses 17-19, he emphasizes the renewal of commitment that results from suffering persecution. In verse 17, the emphasis is on collective commitment, while verse 19 emphasizes individual commitment. "Judgment of the household of God"(v17) is not punishment, it’s preventive discipline.
Persecution has a purifying effect on the Church. Persecution is a safeguard against worldliness and waywardness. Throughout history, the Church has not only survived during times of persecution, but it’s been purified. If the Church in America today were to undergo physical persecution, quite a few people would surely jump ship. Persecution is the "test by fire" that proves our faith (1 Peter 1:7).
Tertullian, a 2nd century Christian, said that "the blood of martyrs is the seed of the Church." Widespread and prolonged persecution will produce growth and renewal of commitment in the Church as a whole, and persecution endured by the individual Christian will generally result in greater personal commitment to the Lord. Not only will there be a "ceasing from sin" and a more holy life (1 Peter 4:1-4), but there will be more "entrusting of the soul to the Creator while doing what is right" (v19). What words could better describe Christian renewal? Growing Christians won’t be turned off by social ostracism and scorn -- it will drive them closer to the Lord Jesus!
Although persecution is to be expected, and it’s "the will of God" (v19), remember that this is a family matter. We’re the "beloved" children of a "faithful Creator" (v12, 19) who always has our best interests in view. Verses 17-18 remind us of the vast difference between the persecution of believers in this life, and the punishment in the next life for unbelievers who refused to respond to the gospel.
Christians who understand God's reasons for persecution should not only expect to be persecuted, but should be willing to suffer persecution.
- Dave Reid
(Updated 2021, Ron Reid)