April 6-Stand Fast
Write out the Scripture.
1 Peter 4:12, Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
Observe what it is saying.
Peter continues to speak about suffering and reminds his audience that they should not be surprised when such tribulations occur. Jesus clearly told his disciples, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) Peter was speaking to a largely Gentile audience who had little experience with suffering. However, Jews understood the nature of persecution because they have been oppressed throughout history. Most of us, reading this devotional, have not known persecution as the early church or as many Christians do today. Our Christian faith is unpopular in some circles and can cause us to feel left out and lonely. If we are authentic Christians, we speak and act differently than the majority of the world. However, that does not mean we have to go out of our way to be weird! Rather, being humble followers of Jesus will set us apart. Some may admire us. Others may torment us. It is human nature to regard with suspicion and dislike those who are different from us. Peter emphasizes it should not seem strange to us for non-Christians to oppose and oppress Jesus’ followers. In fact, how we handle such tribulations is a test of the authenticity of our faith. Do we hold to it regardless of any backlash that we receive? On the other hand, it is a test of faith that only true Christians will be persecuted. The substance of our faith is revealed either way. If we are not being persecuted, we can give thanks to God for the peace that we have, but we, also, may want to take serious inventory to ensure we are not compromising our faith.
Relate it to your life.
Some form of occasional suffering is needed because it is an effective test to the quality of my faith.
Do something.
Lord Jesus, in the easy times, and in the difficult times, may I always be found to be faithful. Amen.
April 7-Stand Fast
Write out the Scripture.
1 Peter 4:13, But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
Observe what it is saying.
Peter expanded on his theology of suffering. Yesterday, he told us that tribulations are important for the testing of our faith. They inform us of what we are made of spiritually. Do we respond with fear and anger or faith and assurance that God is working through all things? Today, Peter tells us to rejoice in our suffering. From prison, Paul wrote to rejoice in the Lord always and to give thanks in all circumstances. James said to consider it all joy when you face trials of many kinds. When we are opposed and oppressed because of our faith, we have spiritually entered into Christ’s suffering. This is the deepest fellowship we will ever experience with Jesus on earth. Our suffering is an extension of his horrific pain. Ours does not add anything to what He did on our behalf, but it does connect us to His full ministry and experience on earth. We can say we have shared in the suffering of Jesus. Such a full participation in the His life and death only adds to the joy we will experience when He comes again in all of His glory. Paul said it this way, “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” (Romans 8:17)
Relate it to your life.
How deeply do I really want to share in the life of Jesus?
Do something.
Jesus, I must be honest, I do not want to suffer. But if I do, please give me a faith-filled attitude. Amen.
April 8-Stand Fast
Write out the Scripture.
1 Peter 4:14-15, If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler.
Observe what it is saying.
More than likely, we will not feel blessed when we suffer. However, Peter tells us to rise above our feelings. In fact, the whole discussion of suffering is not about what we feel, but what we believe to be true. So, Peter is giving us an in-depth theology lesson on the nature and purpose of opposition and oppression in the name of Jesus. So, if you are mocked, laughed at, or joked about because of your faith in Christ, remember that in the spiritual realm, you are blessed. You have the greatest gift ever given- the Spirit of God and His glory is upon you and within you. You have a special connection with the Spirit of Christ that only those who walk the path of suffering will know. This is too is a test of faith to believe this to be true. Such experiential knowledge goes far beyond our feelings, but is far deeper in the recesses of our soul, where the Holy Spirit witnesses to our spirit that we belong to Him, are loved by Him, and are being led by Him. Peter reminds us that the suffering he speaks about is not that which we have caused by our own sins or crimes. Such suffering is justified and to be expected. However, when we participate in the sufferings of the Lord, we share in His glory both now and forevermore.
Relate it to your life.
There is always so much more to experience in my walk with the Lord.
Do something.
Lord Jesus, I must admit, I still do not want suffering, but if and when it comes, give me such faith to believe that I am spiritually sharing with You in a way that I could not otherwise do. Amen.
April 9-Stand Fast
Write out the Scripture.
1 Peter 4:16, However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.
Observe what it is saying.
Unlike the suffering that occurs from our own sin and crime, our suffering, as a Christian, causes us absolutely no shame. Let’s review where Peter has taken us this week with his theology of suffering. He told us that we should not be surprised when it occurs. Such opposition acts as a test to reveal the integrity of our faith. We need to experience such opposing forces to determine the strength of our faith in the day of storms. When we share intimately with Christ in his sufferings, we unite with Him in a way that we cannot otherwise do. We even have a sense of joy because in some real, yet mysterious way, we enter into Christ’s glory both now and later. This leads to a sense of blessing as the Spirit of God’s glory rests upon us in the midst of these great trials and tribulations. It may be difficult for us to understand how this is possible if we have never suffered as a Christian, but seasoned sufferers, like Peter and Paul, both give testimony to this amazing reality. Today, Peter takes it a step further and says we should praise God that we bear the name of Jesus in our suffering. When we take the name of Jesus as our identity, even when we are in the heat of the fiercest trials, is the highest honor we can ever claim. So, at all times and in all places, may we offer praise to God for the privilege of carrying His holy name.
Relate it to your life.
To bear the name of Jesus is the greatest gift I have been given.
Do something.
Lord Jesus, all praise be to Your holy and glorious name. Thank You for the honor and privilege of bearing the name above every other name. Amen.
April 10-Stand Fast
Write out the Scripture.
1 Peter 4:17-18, For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”
Observe what it is saying.
God’s household originally referred to the temple in the Old Testament, but now Christians, the Body of Christ, are this temple. We need to understand that this judgment refers to judgments being made in this life, not to the final judgment that is to come. In the larger context of suffering, Peter says the pain we endure as followers of Jesus performs a necessary work to purify us as God’s people. It makes sense that such judgment should begin with those who claim the name of Jesus. We must be tested. We must be judged to determine whether we are authentic or a fraud. The Old Testament prophets spoke of judgment coming first upon the people of God. (Ezekiel 9:6; Zechariah 13:7-9; Malachi 3:1-5). Paul said, "We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God" (Ac 14:22). If the preliminary judgment of Christian suffering is already taking place, the final judgment on the disobedient is certain to follow. To make his point, Peter quotes Proverbs 11:31, “If the righteous receive their due on earth, how much more the ungodly and the sinner!” If the righteous experience purifying judgment on earth, then those unwilling to stand with Christ when tested by suffering belong to “those who do not obey the gospel of God,” who will be both judged and condemned.
Relate it to your life.
I need the purifying judgment of suffering in this world so I can enjoy the bliss of a pain-free eternity.
Do something.
Lord Jesus, I welcome Your judgments into my life to purify and make me totally Yours. Amen.
April 11-Stand Fast
Write out the Scripture.
1 Peter 4:19, So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
Observe what it is saying.
As a result of all that Peter has written about maintaining a wholesome attitude when others verbally or physically assault us because of Jesus, we are to do two things. First, we should renew our commitment to God. In His seventh word from the Cross, Jesus used the same verb in committing His Spirit to God (Luke 23:46). Peter also describes God as the "faithful Creator." The combination of these two words reminds us of God's love and power in the midst of trials so that we will trust His affection and His ability to act on our behalf. Second, we should continue to do all the good we can in spite of any opposition we face. Peter does not allow suffering to be an excuse to stop being helpful to others. The Apostle Paul said, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” (Galatians 6:9-10) Many of us may not experience Christian suffering because we live in a time and place where it does not often occur. So, we should give thanks to God for such a blessing and remember to pray for and financially support those who are being persecuted. However, we must, also, use the same attitudes and actions from this week’s study whenever we face various trials in life. Because we live in a broken world, everyone will face pain and suffering of one kind or another.
Relate it to your life.
I need to remember and review often from this week’s passage how to respond to all kinds of suffering.
Do something.
Lord Jesus, thank You for this Holy Scripture that gives me help and hope in all my suffering. Amen.
Write out the Scripture.
1 Peter 4:12, Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
Observe what it is saying.
Peter continues to speak about suffering and reminds his audience that they should not be surprised when such tribulations occur. Jesus clearly told his disciples, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) Peter was speaking to a largely Gentile audience who had little experience with suffering. However, Jews understood the nature of persecution because they have been oppressed throughout history. Most of us, reading this devotional, have not known persecution as the early church or as many Christians do today. Our Christian faith is unpopular in some circles and can cause us to feel left out and lonely. If we are authentic Christians, we speak and act differently than the majority of the world. However, that does not mean we have to go out of our way to be weird! Rather, being humble followers of Jesus will set us apart. Some may admire us. Others may torment us. It is human nature to regard with suspicion and dislike those who are different from us. Peter emphasizes it should not seem strange to us for non-Christians to oppose and oppress Jesus’ followers. In fact, how we handle such tribulations is a test of the authenticity of our faith. Do we hold to it regardless of any backlash that we receive? On the other hand, it is a test of faith that only true Christians will be persecuted. The substance of our faith is revealed either way. If we are not being persecuted, we can give thanks to God for the peace that we have, but we, also, may want to take serious inventory to ensure we are not compromising our faith.
Relate it to your life.
Some form of occasional suffering is needed because it is an effective test to the quality of my faith.
Do something.
Lord Jesus, in the easy times, and in the difficult times, may I always be found to be faithful. Amen.
April 7-Stand Fast
Write out the Scripture.
1 Peter 4:13, But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
Observe what it is saying.
Peter expanded on his theology of suffering. Yesterday, he told us that tribulations are important for the testing of our faith. They inform us of what we are made of spiritually. Do we respond with fear and anger or faith and assurance that God is working through all things? Today, Peter tells us to rejoice in our suffering. From prison, Paul wrote to rejoice in the Lord always and to give thanks in all circumstances. James said to consider it all joy when you face trials of many kinds. When we are opposed and oppressed because of our faith, we have spiritually entered into Christ’s suffering. This is the deepest fellowship we will ever experience with Jesus on earth. Our suffering is an extension of his horrific pain. Ours does not add anything to what He did on our behalf, but it does connect us to His full ministry and experience on earth. We can say we have shared in the suffering of Jesus. Such a full participation in the His life and death only adds to the joy we will experience when He comes again in all of His glory. Paul said it this way, “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” (Romans 8:17)
Relate it to your life.
How deeply do I really want to share in the life of Jesus?
Do something.
Jesus, I must be honest, I do not want to suffer. But if I do, please give me a faith-filled attitude. Amen.
April 8-Stand Fast
Write out the Scripture.
1 Peter 4:14-15, If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler.
Observe what it is saying.
More than likely, we will not feel blessed when we suffer. However, Peter tells us to rise above our feelings. In fact, the whole discussion of suffering is not about what we feel, but what we believe to be true. So, Peter is giving us an in-depth theology lesson on the nature and purpose of opposition and oppression in the name of Jesus. So, if you are mocked, laughed at, or joked about because of your faith in Christ, remember that in the spiritual realm, you are blessed. You have the greatest gift ever given- the Spirit of God and His glory is upon you and within you. You have a special connection with the Spirit of Christ that only those who walk the path of suffering will know. This is too is a test of faith to believe this to be true. Such experiential knowledge goes far beyond our feelings, but is far deeper in the recesses of our soul, where the Holy Spirit witnesses to our spirit that we belong to Him, are loved by Him, and are being led by Him. Peter reminds us that the suffering he speaks about is not that which we have caused by our own sins or crimes. Such suffering is justified and to be expected. However, when we participate in the sufferings of the Lord, we share in His glory both now and forevermore.
Relate it to your life.
There is always so much more to experience in my walk with the Lord.
Do something.
Lord Jesus, I must admit, I still do not want suffering, but if and when it comes, give me such faith to believe that I am spiritually sharing with You in a way that I could not otherwise do. Amen.
April 9-Stand Fast
Write out the Scripture.
1 Peter 4:16, However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.
Observe what it is saying.
Unlike the suffering that occurs from our own sin and crime, our suffering, as a Christian, causes us absolutely no shame. Let’s review where Peter has taken us this week with his theology of suffering. He told us that we should not be surprised when it occurs. Such opposition acts as a test to reveal the integrity of our faith. We need to experience such opposing forces to determine the strength of our faith in the day of storms. When we share intimately with Christ in his sufferings, we unite with Him in a way that we cannot otherwise do. We even have a sense of joy because in some real, yet mysterious way, we enter into Christ’s glory both now and later. This leads to a sense of blessing as the Spirit of God’s glory rests upon us in the midst of these great trials and tribulations. It may be difficult for us to understand how this is possible if we have never suffered as a Christian, but seasoned sufferers, like Peter and Paul, both give testimony to this amazing reality. Today, Peter takes it a step further and says we should praise God that we bear the name of Jesus in our suffering. When we take the name of Jesus as our identity, even when we are in the heat of the fiercest trials, is the highest honor we can ever claim. So, at all times and in all places, may we offer praise to God for the privilege of carrying His holy name.
Relate it to your life.
To bear the name of Jesus is the greatest gift I have been given.
Do something.
Lord Jesus, all praise be to Your holy and glorious name. Thank You for the honor and privilege of bearing the name above every other name. Amen.
April 10-Stand Fast
Write out the Scripture.
1 Peter 4:17-18, For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”
Observe what it is saying.
God’s household originally referred to the temple in the Old Testament, but now Christians, the Body of Christ, are this temple. We need to understand that this judgment refers to judgments being made in this life, not to the final judgment that is to come. In the larger context of suffering, Peter says the pain we endure as followers of Jesus performs a necessary work to purify us as God’s people. It makes sense that such judgment should begin with those who claim the name of Jesus. We must be tested. We must be judged to determine whether we are authentic or a fraud. The Old Testament prophets spoke of judgment coming first upon the people of God. (Ezekiel 9:6; Zechariah 13:7-9; Malachi 3:1-5). Paul said, "We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God" (Ac 14:22). If the preliminary judgment of Christian suffering is already taking place, the final judgment on the disobedient is certain to follow. To make his point, Peter quotes Proverbs 11:31, “If the righteous receive their due on earth, how much more the ungodly and the sinner!” If the righteous experience purifying judgment on earth, then those unwilling to stand with Christ when tested by suffering belong to “those who do not obey the gospel of God,” who will be both judged and condemned.
Relate it to your life.
I need the purifying judgment of suffering in this world so I can enjoy the bliss of a pain-free eternity.
Do something.
Lord Jesus, I welcome Your judgments into my life to purify and make me totally Yours. Amen.
April 11-Stand Fast
Write out the Scripture.
1 Peter 4:19, So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
Observe what it is saying.
As a result of all that Peter has written about maintaining a wholesome attitude when others verbally or physically assault us because of Jesus, we are to do two things. First, we should renew our commitment to God. In His seventh word from the Cross, Jesus used the same verb in committing His Spirit to God (Luke 23:46). Peter also describes God as the "faithful Creator." The combination of these two words reminds us of God's love and power in the midst of trials so that we will trust His affection and His ability to act on our behalf. Second, we should continue to do all the good we can in spite of any opposition we face. Peter does not allow suffering to be an excuse to stop being helpful to others. The Apostle Paul said, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” (Galatians 6:9-10) Many of us may not experience Christian suffering because we live in a time and place where it does not often occur. So, we should give thanks to God for such a blessing and remember to pray for and financially support those who are being persecuted. However, we must, also, use the same attitudes and actions from this week’s study whenever we face various trials in life. Because we live in a broken world, everyone will face pain and suffering of one kind or another.
Relate it to your life.
I need to remember and review often from this week’s passage how to respond to all kinds of suffering.
Do something.
Lord Jesus, thank You for this Holy Scripture that gives me help and hope in all my suffering. Amen.
Posted in Daily Devotionals