I hadn’t realized until recently that one of the main topics of the book of 1 Peter is the theme of suffering. Peter is writing to a group of Christians that are about to suffer persecution or that are currently being persecuted. He writes to encourage them. In doing so, he uses the word “suffer” over and again. Look at these verses.
1 Peter 1:6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.
1:11 trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.
2:19-21 For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
2:23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.
3:14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.”
3:17 It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
4:1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin.
4:12-13 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
4:15-16 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.
4:19 So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
5:1 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed:
5:9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
5:10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
Notice that when Peter talks about Jesus’ sacrifice, he always calls it Jesus’ suffering. Peter understands that Jesus’ sacrifice set an example for us as to how we should face suffering in our own lives. When we come upon hard times, we can remember what Jesus went through and how he stood firm.
Thanks Brother, I Peter has been one of my favorites through the yrs of ministry and life in general. I am currently reading through Job and learning a lot as I go. Thanks again for the thoughts, appreciate you!
Trent
(Thnx for the encouraging comment on my blog)
BTW…Make this series larger than the one on drinking….keep it going…lol…lovin it! Move into Job later…lol…
My Old Testament prof, Dr. John Willis, is doing an incredible series on Job. He’s already done a couple of dozen posts on the subject. Here’s the latest in the series: http://professorwillis.blogspot.com/2009/11/elihu-part-4-god-sees-all-job-34.html
You can work back from there.
Grace and peace,
Tim Archer
One of the things I love about the book of Job is that it takes many of the black and white assumptions we make about God and life, and throws them out the window…sometime in a rather brutal manner.
Grace and peace,
Rex
Another wierd thought.
The story of Job once inspired me a lot.
Then I met a man named Sonny.
He was an alcoholic and lived in a cheap run down trailer.
First wife died unexpectedly and left him with two small sons.
Married a few years later to Sandra
Neither were Christians.
Sonny came home early one day and found sandra in bed with his oldest son.
I’m not sure when Sonny began to drink but it consumed him.
His landlord assembled with us at Joelton.
Asked if some of us would try to reach him with Christ.
Several of us did over a couple of year period.
Some of these shoert stories of those that spoke with him are almost as interesting
as the whole story was tragic.
Some of us gave Sonny enough money to have his few remaining teeth that caused
him great physical pain pulled and get a full set of false teeth.
Soon he told his story of how tragic his life had been.
“Finally” Sonny comitted his life to Christ.
He serves the church as a deacon now.
He met his new wife at Joelton and she had lost her husband in an auto accident.
One member had gotten him a job with Nashville water works where he later retired
They live in a beautiful home and Sonny is one of the hardest workers at Joelton.
He started an AA program in one of the class rooms and they still meet there and Sonny
has immersed many of them into Christ.
He is a man full of compasion and leads a Kid’s for Christ Saturday VBS type program
for the kids in our neighborhood.
Several of our ladies help Sonny in this ministry and several of the kids have grown up
and are members now as well.
Sonny has impacted “US” to a level that would have been unbelivable 30 years ago.
I wish the Apostles had not all died.
I believe Sonny’s story would be in the Bible.
I wish the bible was still being written today.
Wonder how many other Sonny’s there are out there?
Wonder why we CAN NOT let him give his testimony?
To me his story is more relevant than Job’s.
What makes one story about how God works in followers lives
more important than another?
Clay
of dentures.
I want to thank you Tim for this post.
It has been a blessing to my faith as I have been suffering lately. Reading what Peter says is so uplifting during this difficult time in my life. Thank you so much brother for these words. It is as the Holy Spirit was using you to be a blessing to those who are suffering. I hope you have a great day! :-)
Kinney, I’m glad it was a blessing to you. Stand firm! You have been an encouragement to many.
Grace and peace,
Tim Archer