Suffering comes in many forms, bullying, debilitating disease, physical abuse, persecution, etc. These come with a wave of feelings that can cause us to lose sight of hope and cause us to feel the threat of being destroyed. Peter knew some of these feelings first hand. He had been beaten and jailed and threatened, often. Peter had seen fellow believers die and the church being scattered. But Peter knew Jesus Christ and nothing, absolutely nothing, could shake Peter's confidence in His risen Lord and Savior! Peter was unshakable, a rock!
Peter wrote to the scattered church, as they were suffering for their faith; desiring to encourage, to comfort and to give them hope ~ urging them to remain, to be steadfast in their faith. The persecution began in Jerusalem by the hands of their fellow Jews and it spread to the rest of the world ~ wherever brothers and sisters in Christ gathered. It was brought to a further climax when Rome decided to get rid of those that would not bow to Caesar. Believers were feeling crushed, overwhelmed, devastated and torn ~
Peter, in 1 Peter 1:6-9 says, "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith ~ of greater worth than gold, which perishes, even though refined by fire ~ may be proved genuine and may result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls."
(Peter answers the "Why? How can any good come out of this?") Peter doesn't have to remind them that Christianity comes with a cost, these believers have a full understanding of that! But when things seem out of control, we need to be reminded that God is still in control, He is Sovereign, and that there is a purpose for fiery trials. God uses them to refine and purify us. They prove our faith genuine and result in praise, glory and honor to our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Peter calls for them to live holy lives in 1 Peter 1:13-16 he says, "Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."
Peter reminds them to focus on Christ's return, to let that be their motivator to live for Him. He asks them to be alert and to have self discipline. He reminds them where their reward lies ~ that they are not of this world, but just passing through. Peter says, "live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear"and Peter continues, reminding them that it's not with "perishable things such as silver and gold that you have been redeemed from the empty way of life" but, "with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect." (Peter reminds them of the cost Christ paid)
"Fiery trials" have a way of bringing our impurities, our sin, to the surface don't they? Fear, anger, bitterness, resentment, hypocrisy, envy, slander, etc. In chapter 2:1 Peter calls them to rid themselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. People were in their faces, angry and threatening them, cutting them down, abusing and persecuting them ~ Do you think this could cause sin to rise up in them? Sure! Their very lives were being threatened, their core beliefs were being attacked!
Recent protestors in Jackson, WY brought about alot of different responses from Christians and non-believers alike! Emotions ran high! These Jewish Christians of the first century were under fire in a much bigger way! It didn't last just a few days, it continued and didn't let up ~ it grew! They were hated, threatened, abused, beaten, jailed! Emotions were running beyond high! Peter seeks to bring them back into focus.
In chapter 2:4, "As you come to Him, the living stone ~ rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to Him ~ you, also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood."
Peter reminds them of Christ rejection by men, but the grander purpose and their calling to be holy and above reproach. They were a chosen priesthood, a people belonging to God, a holy nation, they could declare His praises because they had been called out of the darkness and into His wonderful light! (Trials don't, usually, stir our praises, do they? But they can and will if our focus is right!) Peter calls them to a higher conduct, to abstain from sinful desires ~ to live in such a way, that though they were being accused of doing wrong, that their good deeds should be seen. Peter reminds them of God's call to "submit to every authority instituted among men," to love their brothers in Christ and to fear God and honor the king.
When emotions are runing high, accusations are flying in every direction; sides are being chosen and brother can even turn against brother. Peter reminds them in 2:22-23 "because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps. 'He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth.' When they hurled their insults at Him, He did not retaliate, when He suffered, He made no threats. Instead, He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly."
Peter seeks to instill hope, "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. For it is time for judgement 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?"Notice, Peter gives good reason for the trials, as if they should be expected! He's encouraging them to hang tough through them, not to run from them! To stand fast! To be holy!
Some of Peter's closing remarks in 5:6-10 can encourage us, as well in our own difficulties:
"Humble yourselves , therefore, under God's mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory, in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast."
"Fiery trials" have a way of bringing the impurities of pride to the forefront ~ whether it's us trying to take control and trying to be God or whether out of fear, we are compelled to try and fix it. We have a tendency to want to take control and set it all right, don't we? In our frustrations and fear, we can, easily, lose our focus and find our enemy, Satan, getting a foothold, he knows our weaknesses. We are to resist his efforts, to stand firm! To be self controlled and alert! And we are to cast our anxieties on God, who cares for us. We, often, forget to do these things, don't we? We have a tendency to lose our focus, become anxious, try to reason, fix it and grow weary and overwhelmed, while getting side swiped by the enemy don't we? Peter's words can encourage our hearts too ~ Peter says, "after you have suffered a little while" (it's not going to last forever) and he says that Christ, Himself will restore us, make us strong, firm and steadfast."
I love the meaning of steadfast! "Unchanging, loyal, steady, constant, unswerving, unwavering and firm!" With trials we can have a tendency to be more like a roller coaster can't we? But God is calling us to be steadfast! Steadfastness grows with our relationship with Him, because the more we know Him, the more we trust Him! We grow more confident in His care! As we grow more confident in seeing His presence with us, then we, gradually, grow more confident in our trust of Him, even when things seem out of control! I don't tire in reminding myself, or you ~ trials are our best friends, they teach us steadfastness, they rid of us of our impurities and draw us into a deeper and more intimate relationship with God! If we are choosing to live for eternity, this should be our every desire! God allows the trials, for our good! God cannot act outside of love and righteousness. We can trust Him, He is Sovereign ~ what feels out of control is under His Sovereignty and control!
We can find joy, even in the midst of unimaginable trials! We can be imprisoned, but will always remain free in Christ ~ they cannot take Him away! We can go through difficulties, but be filled with praise, because Christ is so very present with us! We can be thankful that He will never forsake us, He will never leave us and we can rejoice in the things we do have to be thankful for! It's about focus, it's about heart attitude! Choose praise, choose a thankful heart! Choose faith as your forward shield! It must be held up to protect you! Christ is our every hope! It's a choice!
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