Pilgrim
Living in a Fallen World: Joy under Fire!
I Peter 4:12-19
Introduction:
It is hard for us, Americans in the 21st century, to grasp the
context in which Peter was writing his letter to exiles. In fact, the
experiences of the church in its first decades, actually its first centuries,
was marked by persecution, trials and tribulations. Peter himself would be
martyred not too long after he wrote the letters that bear his name. Christians
were under fire in the early years of the church. And the violence of
emperors like Nero has been replicated in different contexts through the ages.
Even today, we read the reports of Christians suffering in different parts of
the world, but it seems so detached from our reality. Listen to some prayers
of Ukrainian evangelical leaders in recent days as reported online by Christianity
Today…
First, from Taras
Dyatlik, engagement director for ScholarLeaders
International. He identified
…three stages of
need. The immediate need is to evacuate, relocate, and find safe locations to
save the lives of students, staff, and faculty. In another week or so, their
situation must become stabilized in longer-term accommodations. And then,
pending the developments of war, they will figure out how to continue theological
education.
When asked what he is praying for he
said,
“I am praying for
my wife and many other wives who refused to be evacuated while their husbands
stayed behind. But I am also praying that this war will shake the conscience of
humanity and the theology of the church…”
Another
Ukrainian leader, Yuriy Kulakevych, quoted 2 Corinthians 6:9–10 – “Known,
yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed;
sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing,
and yet possessing everything.” He said,
Despite our many
troubles, we must remember that today is the day of salvation. We do not feel
it, but in Christ we have enough to open wide our hearts to serve the needs of
those around us… I am praying for supernatural restoration during short nights
of sleep! Everyone is doing their best—physically, mentally, and
spiritually—but some, and especially the youth, need delivery from
posttraumatic stress. Yet amid the darkness of war, I am praying for the
evangelization of the nations in the Russian Federation, with the gospel
hidden by the black robes of the Orthodox priests.
Americans
enjoy religious freedom. Even so, believers suffer alongside unbelievers in this fallen
world. Jesus said we would have tribulation in the world. It is the lot of
pilgrims. We shouldn’t be surprised by suffering. We shouldn’t be
surprised from time to time if we come “under fire.” It’s been that way from the
very beginning. Come what may, it doesn’t change the facts: we belong to God,
our eternity is secure, and we are here, in this fallen world, on a
mission. We have spoken lately about our
life as a testimony to the people around us. Can our response to suffering
bring glory to God?
The
BIG Idea:
Believers, as pilgrims in this fallen world, can expect trials. But because of
Jesus, we can have joy in the midst of it.
I. The Exhortation:
Have joy in your communion with Christ even in the hard times (12-14).
Beloved,
do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as
though something strange were happening to you.
13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's
sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is
revealed. 14 If you are
insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory
and of God rests upon you.
Don’t be surprised by suffering –
You are not alone (12a). It’s a test (12) and has purpose (19). The intensity
of the trial is described as a, “fiery ordeal,” and it comes as a
“trial” or a “test.” The Greek word peirasmos
can have either connotation. Suffering is part of life in this fallen world,
but we can be encouraged that God is working in the midst of it. We saw that in
I Peter 1:6,7…
6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, as
was necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7so that the
tested genuineness of your faith- more precious than gold that perishes though
it is tested by fire- may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at
the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Why should we be surprised? We read in 1 John 3:13 “Do not
be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you.” We are foreigners and
exiles, remember? It has been refrain echoing through this letter. And Jesus himself said in John 15:19 “If you were of the world, the world would
love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out
of the world, therefore the world hates you.”
The sure hope of
future joy brings joy in the present that transcends circumstances
(13). Voice of the Martyrs reported the story of Cheng Jie — a
young mother, a pastor’s wife, and a former kindergarten director who never
anticipated her 2014 arrest.
With a
husband who was a pastor in China where religion is tightly controlled, she and
her husband, Du Hongbo, had prepared for his possible arrest, but never hers.
In the end, it was her role as the director of the Hualin Foreign Language
Experimental Kindergarten that took her to prison for two years. Chinese
authorities charged the school and its administration of “illegal business
operations,” due to the use of what the authorities called religious
curriculum. The school was closed, and four people associated with it,
including Cheng Jie, were arrested.
At
first, prison was a scary time for Cheng Jie. She had never known anyone with
drug problems or who engaged in criminal behavior, but here she was, suddenly
crammed in a cell with 15 criminals. Some of her cellmates were due to be put
to death for committing murders. Their 15 by 15 foot cell had one toilet for
the women to share. Quarrels would often break out between the women. Others
would sob continually. The women were expected to work 12-hour work days and
were fed very little, usually rice with boiled cabbage or radishes. Soon,
however, Cheng Jie realized she had a unique opportunity to minister to the
other women, and she began to love them. [This
is what I want to emphasize…]
“Even
though I was in prison, I felt like I am happy because I have the joy from God,”
she said. [Despite her
circumstances…] Her husband was allowed to visit once a month, but the children, who
were 1- and 3-years-old when she was arrested, were not allowed to come.
Randy
Alcorn talks about what happened to his friend, Ethel Herr in his book, What Good is God. She had had a double
mastectomy. Then two months later, doctors discovered that the cancer had
spread. One of Herr's friends in shock asked her, "And how do you feel about God now?" Herr said,
"As
I sought to explain what has happened in my spirit, it all became clearer to
me. God has been preparing me for this moment. He has undergirded me in ways
I've never known before. He has made himself increasingly real and precious to
me. He has given to me joy such as I've never known before – and I've no
need to work at it, it just comes, even amidst the tears. He has taught me
that... he will lead me on whatever journey he chooses and will never leave me
for a moment of that journey... God is good no matter what the diagnosis or the
prognosis or the fearfulness of the uncertainty of having neither."
God
is there, with us in the valleys. Paul and Peter were martyred at about the
same time, in Rome, under Nero’s reign. In his letter to the Romans, Paul said,
16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we
are children of God, 17 and
if children, then heirs- heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we
suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. 18 For I consider that the
sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is
to be revealed to us (Romans 8:16-18).
We are here with Jesus, because of Jesus, to preach Jesus. When we suffer as a Christian we are
blessed by the presence of the Spirit (14; cf. 2 Tim 4:16,17). Corrie ten Boom was worried as a young girl whether she would be able to stand against the
Germans if she was threatened. She felt so weak when she thought about what
might happen. Her father gave her a great illustration. He said,
"When
you are going to take a journey on the train, do I give you your ticket three
weeks early or just as you get on the train?" She answered, "As I get
on the train." "So God will give you the special strength you need to
be strong in the face of death just when you need it, not before."
We’ve heard the stories of Christians
threatened by Islamic terrorists, “Deny Christ, or die!” Or even worse, “Deny
Christ, or watch your children die!” How could they stand against such
evil? Only with Christ at their side,
only with the Holy Spirit in their hearts. The suffering of this present age
is not worthy to be compared to the glory that shall be revealed in us! Don’t be surprised if one day we are “under
fire.” Believers can expect suffering in this fallen world, but because of
Jesus, we can have joy in the midst of it.
II.
The Examination: We should make sure that our
suffering is not the consequence of our own sin, or the result of God’s
chastening (15-16).
15 But let none of you suffer as a
murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a
Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.
Don’t invite suffering by sinful behavior (15). There is such a thing as suffering for
righteousness’ sake. But there is also such a thing as suffering for
foolishness’ sake! Sin has consequences.
First of all, if we are believers, we know that who the Lord loves, he
chastens. God will not allow our
conduct as rebellious sons and daughters to go unchecked. He has given us
boundaries, for our good, to protect us and to grow our faith. We in our
fallenness will stick our little hairy toe over the line just to test it,
wondering if God will notice?! Remember I Peter 3:17, “It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for
doing evil.” Chastening is one thing, and we can connect with that also the
natural consequences of our sin. For example, years of alcoholism will have its
effects on our body. Drinking and getting behind the wheel is not only illegal,
it is foolish and can have tragic results. Sin can have dramatic, life
changing, consequences. Don’t invite suffering with foolish behavior!
But if we suffer because of our faith, to God be the glory (16)! He says, “…yet if anyone suffers as a Christian…”
The word “Christian” isn’t as common in the Bible as you might think. In most English translations it occurs
only three times in the New Testament, here, and twice in the book of Acts. In
chapter 11 we learn the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. Then
Agrippa, after hearing Paul’s testimony in Acts 26, says (or asks) “In a short
time you will persuade me to be a Christian! [?]” It probably was used by
outsiders for the most part, to describe the followers of Jesus. Peter says,
“Don’t be ashamed of the name, wear it proudly!” To God be the glory! Believers
can expect some “fiery trials,” they may come under fire, but because of Jesus,
we can have joy in the midst of it.
17 For it is time for judgment to begin
at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for
those who do not obey the gospel of God?
18 And "If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will
become of the ungodly and the sinner?"
19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will
entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.
Believers will not be judged for our sins, because Jesus has already taken care of that. Yet, because God loves us, He will chasten
us. Judgment will begin at the house
of God. We are seeing a lot of political ads these days. Around election time
we sometimes quote verses like 2 Chronicles 7:14 “…if my
people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face
and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive
their sin and heal their land.” Good. He is talking to Israel.
Calling the nation to repentance and saying that as they call on God, He will
bring the promised blessing. From our perspective, in this age, that is also a
call to the church. We need to embrace our calling, to live our faith before
our neighbors and seek God. We should seek God, pray for peace in the world, and yes, pray
for our nation, pray for ourselves, pray for our leaders. And we should vote.
But our hope is not in a party or a candidate. Our hope is in the Lord. God be
merciful, don’t give us what we deserve! Help us to be light in the darkness. Be
gracious, give us blessing we don’t deserve. Heal our land.
If we are only saved by grace,
what hope is there for those who reject the Gospel? God has made a path to become
citizens of heaven, by grace through faith in Christ. One way. So we trust Him, and persevere in our
mission (19). Peter says, “….so then
those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to
their faithful Creator…” That
word for [commit] "entrust,"
is actually a banking term. It means to deposit something for safekeeping. That's
what we're to do with our lives when we go through times of suffering. Deposit
your life in God's bank (so to speak) for safekeeping. At times, do you feel
like you are under fire? Trust Him to preserve you, entrust yourself to Him, He will bring you through
the fire.
We choose to live our life in submission to God, trusting that He is
present and working. So, we live by faith, “…while doing good.” Scott McKnight put it this way,
Because
Christians realize that the final day of reckoning is yet to come and is a
firm, fixed date in God’s diary, they must strengthen their resolve in the face
of suffering and injustice (4:17-18). Here they need a stubborn streak, that no
matter what happens to them they must live their lives in the light of God’s
judgment. Whether the IRS knows or not it not the issue; God knows. Whether the
boss knows of not is not the issue; God knows. Whether your family knows or not
is not the issue; God knows. And because God knows everything, we must learn to
submit everything in our lives to his final assessment…
Give yourself to the Lord, entrust yourself to
Him, by continuing to “do good.” You
remember we were saved by grace through faith, “...unto good
works…” (Eph 2:10). After all, our Father is good, and He does good.
You
may recall the story of Bethany Hamilton. As a teenage surfer in Hawaii she lost
an arm to a tiger shark in October 2003. She is a believer, and her ordeal
didn’t shake her faith. She focused her life on helping others, raising money
to help others, giving to those in need. Her pastor said she has the attitude
that she has more than she needs in life.
"She's looking forward to the future. She's asking herself, 'How can I
show the world I still have a life, that I enjoy my life, and that my life is
filled with joy?' She has an underlying trust that God is taking care of
her." She entrusted herself to
her “faithful Creator.” I recently read that “Christians should be the calmest
people on earth.” Whatever we are going through, we can know, God has got
this. Peter says we can also have joy that goes beyond the circumstances,
because of Jesus.
What
is God saying to me in this passage?
Believers can expect suffering in this fallen world, but because of Jesus, we
can have joy in the midst of it.
What would God have me to do in
response to this passage? Could it be that you are going
through a time of testing? If not, don't feel left out, it will come! And remember, even if no one else understands, God does.
We have a High Priest who can sympathize in our weaknesses, who was
tempted/tested in all points like as we are, yet without sin. God has a plan. He is present, and He is
working. We can trust Him.
I thought of the subject of suffering a
little differently as I studied this passage. In my mind I used to separate
suffering for our faith from the often painful consequences of simply living in
a fallen world. We are not persecuted, at least not overtly, at this moment
in America. But think this through with me. God saved us, we who have
trusted Jesus, and He left us in the world, this world under the
curse, full of thorns and thistles. Why
didn’t He take us to heaven? We are “on assignment.” He left us here and
gave us a mission to carry out: make disciples of all the nations.
So, any suffering we experience, at a certain level, is for our faith. It’s
because of God’s plan. We are left here,
and are not in heaven, on purpose, for a purpose. As Jesus came into the
world to accomplish our salvation, He has left us in the world to proclaim His
salvation. So, while we are here, for a little while, we share in the suffering of Christ. What do we have to fear? As Peter said in chapter
one, we “…by God's power are being guarded through
faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice,
though now for a little while, as was necessary, you have been grieved by
various trials…” (I Pet 1:5,6). We know the end of the story: JESUS WINS, and we are His! AMEN.
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