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No Surprise

No Surprise

Words of Faith 2-18-2020

Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2020

Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com

Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL

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1 Peter 4

      [12] Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. [13] But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. [14] 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. [16] However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. [17] For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; 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?" [19] So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

 

         Peter wrote in a time of extreme persecution and suffering.  Most of us do not.  Still,.we should not be surprised if we find ourselves in a circumstance where we suffer for Jesus.  We should really be surprised only that we suffer little.  

         In the centuries since the time of Christ, many Christians have suffered for their faith.  Many do so at this very hour.  I read recently that more Christians were martyred in the 20th century than in all of the centuries before combined.  The Body of Christ needs to rise in support and rally to prayer.  When one part of the Body hurts, so the rest of the Body hurts.

        But what if you are in the thick of it? Peter has a powerful view.  Rejoice, if you are in such a time of painful trial.  You are a participant in the sufferings of Christ. 

        The Apostle Paul said:  I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead (Philip. 3:10-11). 

         Jesus said:  Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way, they persecuted the prophets who were before you (Matthew 5:10‑12). 

         Only an eternal perspective can lead us to such powerful affirmations of trust and a sense of blessing in persecution.

         So, is all suffering redemptive?  Peter spoke of those who "suffer according to God's will.” Is there some suffering that is not according to God's will?  Different theologians come to different conclusions about that.  In the big picture, we can be sure that in all things, God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).

         While there is redemptive suffering that serves the purposes of God, there also is suffering that is inexcusable-- abuse within Christian families, neglect of fellow Christians, and abuse of God's servants just to name a few.  We should not take for granted any suffering in the lives of others. 

         Yes, there is suffering that is a chastening from the Lord but be careful where you think that may lie.  There is a great deal of pain that occurs simply because the Body of Christ has grown callous.  There is suffering that happens because we are irresponsible-- poor stewards of God's blessing.  There is suffering that is the result of spending God's tithes on personal pleasures, pet projects, or opulent facilities.  There is suffering that occurs when church bodies hoard finances rather than channeling them as God guides, failing to trust God for tomorrow.  There is suffering that occurs when Christians remain silent.  There is suffering that occurs when we fail to take a stand. 

            Actually, there may be little comfort in the words of Peter today that suggest it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God, except that what God desires to bring about is right and holy.   Peter knew what it is like to make the wrong choice, waffle in the firelight as the cock crows, and fail to take a stand.  So, he asks the hard question: What will the outcome be for those who do not obey the Gospel of God?  There actually may be more comfort today for those suffering in the name of Jesus around the world.  They have no trouble sorting this out and keeping on doing good.  For us, it is a good time to look inward.

 

            Lord, Jesus, forgive me for forgetting those who suffer daily for You.   I lift my brothers and sisters to You for Your blessing and strength.  Show me how I can lift and encourage those who labor for You.  Give me the courage to take a stand and continue to do good.   I commit myself to my faithful Creator.  In the name of Jesus.  Amen. 

 

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The Words of Faith devotion is published five days a week by E-mail, and our website, and our church app, excluding Federal holidays. Please feel free to forward this devotion to a friend who might be blessed by this devotion. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2010 Jeffrey D. Hoy. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to forward this copyrighted material or use portions of it with appropriate notation of the source for non-profit purposes.  

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