Suffering from being a Christian

I Peter 4.12-19

12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fire that arises among you to test you, as if something strange were happening. 13 But as you share in the sufferings of Christ, rejoice, so that when his glory is revealed, you may also rejoice with great joy. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, happy are you, for the Spirit of glory, the Spirit of God, rests on you. 15 If any of you suffers, let him not be like a murderer, thief, criminal, or someone who meddles in someone else's business. 16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but glorify God through that name. 17For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the wicked and the sinner?” 19 Therefore, those who suffer according to God's will should entrust their lives to their faithful Creator and do good.

UNDERSTANDING THE TEXT

V.12 Have you ever felt that “something strange is happening”? Heavy? Out of common? Oppression, ordeal on every side? So, I have to tell you, not everything is “flowers”. We have in our heart the certainty that God loves us, but Christ said: "In this world you will have afflictions; however, be of good cheer! I have overcome the world" John 16.33. Jesus didn't say it would be easy, but that He won and would be with us to encourage us.

V. 13 The true Christian has to be different. Has he noticed yet? While many of those who are going through an ordeal complain, look for culprits, despair, what should a Christian do? “Rejoice as you share in the sufferings of Christ.”

V.14 If, because we decided to be true Christians, people insult us, we should be happy because the Holy Spirit will be with us. What a consolation!

V.15-16 We should not suffer for doing something wrong, but for the love of Christ. Let's not be ashamed of it! May this difficulty not make us want to go back.

V.17-18 Will the time of judgment come, and even for true Christians it will not be easy, imagine for those who don't even care about Christ?

V.19 Precisely because of the judgment, if we suffer because God wants it, let's trust Him. The Bible speaks in Romans 12.1 that God's will is always "good, perfect and pleasant". Let us rest in God and do good.

PAUSE TO MEDITATE

There will be a day when everyone will stand before God, are you ready?