1 Peter: Standing firm in grace

Suffering Joyfully

1 Peter 4:12-19

1) Don’t be surprised when trials come to test you as if this is unusual, 4:12.

2) Instead rejoice that you suffer for Christ that you may rejoice when He comes, 4:13.

Romans 5:3–5.  We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

James 1:2–4.  Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

From Christina Ahmann Nevill’s 1/21/2012 blog (died from brain cancer, age 31, 6/13/13):

“We WILL face trials, we are promised that. We are even told to not be surprised when they happen (I Peter 4:12). But how will we walk through them? Will it be along with the rest of the world in fear or anger (as is our first human instinct), OR will we be known for our joy–a joy that can only point to Christ?”

Christina’s 1/21/2012 blog, continued:

“It is my greatest desire to choose joy. Not because I understand all His ways, or am not concerned about what some of them might look like, but because I don’t want to waste a second of this beautiful life paralyzed by fear. I want to embrace the purpose and adventure that God has for me rather than mourn the loss of the plans I can so easily create on my own. I am so thankful that I have been alive on this earth 30 years!”

3) Being insulted for loyalty to Christ means God’s Spirit of glory is with you, 4:14.

Acts 5:41.  Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.

Matthew 5:11.  Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.

4) Don’t let your suffering be due to blatant evil or even meddling in others’ affairs, 4:15.

5) If you suffer for being a Christian don’t deny it but glorify God by owning that name, 4:16.

6) Since God purifies His people by suffering, great judgment awaits gospel rejecters, 4:17-18.

7) As you suffer in God’s will, you can trust Him as faithful and sovereign as you do good, 4:19.

From Christina Ahmann Nevill’s 1/21/2012 blog:

“My friends, we are meant to live powerful lives! What does powerful look like to me? Abiding SO deeply with Jesus that no degree of pain or difficulty that enters my life will be able to sway me from trusting His goodness, sharing His hope and being open to any way He would like to use me to make His name known on this earth.”