When you suffer as a Christian remember 1 Peter 2:24, “He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.” His wounds heal us, calling us to obedience and to share in His suffering.
Introduction “First Peter Series”
Welcome to the last video / post on 1 Peter. Peter has reminded us that we are no longer called to live a life like we were before our renewal in Christ. We are to put our sins and shameful ways behind us, and speak, act, and live as servants of Christ. We are no longer slaves to this world, and its empty promises, but called to one holy body in Jesus. As God calls us to holiness, He also calls us to suffer on His behalf. Let us dive deep into learning about suffering as a Christian.
- Homemakers, Live a Holy Life (1 Peter 1:1-25)
- Homemakers, Live as Servants of God (1 Peter 2:1-17, 3:1-7, 4:1-11)
- Homemakers, Suffer as a Christian (this video / post)
1 Peter 2:18-25, 3:8-22, 4:12-19, 5:1-14
1 Peter 2:18-25
The Example of Christ’s Suffering
18 Slaves, accept the authority of your masters with all deference, not only those who are kind and gentle but also those who are harsh. 19 For it is a credit to you if, being aware of God, you endure pain while suffering unjustly. 20 If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, what credit is that? But if you endure when you do right and suffer for it, you have God’s approval. 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps.
22 “He committed no sin,
and no deceit was found in his mouth.”
23 When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.
1 Peter 3:8-22
Suffering for Doing Right
8 Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 9 Do not repay evil for evil or abuse for abuse; but, on the contrary, repay with a blessing. It is for this that you were called—that you might inherit a blessing. 10 For
“Those who desire life
and desire to see good days,
let them keep their tongues from evil
and their lips from speaking deceit;
11 let them turn away from evil and do good;
let them seek peace and pursue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
and his ears are open to their prayer.
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
13 Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? 14 But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, 15 but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; 16 yet do it with gentleness and reverence. Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God’s will, than to suffer for doing evil.
18 For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit, 19 in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison, 20 who in former times did not obey, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water. 21 And baptism, which this prefigured, now saves you—not as a removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him.
1 Peter 4:12-19
Suffering as a Christian
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory, which is the Spirit of God, is resting on you.
15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, a criminal, or even as a mischief maker. 16 Yet if any of you suffers as a Christian, do not consider it a disgrace, but glorify God because you bear this name. 17 For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God; if it begins with us, what will be the end 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 sinners?”
19 Therefore, let those suffering in accordance with God’s will entrust themselves to a faithful Creator, while continuing to do good.
1 Peter 5:1-14
Tending the Flock of God
Now as an elder myself and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as one who shares in the glory to be revealed, I exhort the elders among you 2 to tend the flock of God that is in your charge, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion but willingly, as God would have you do it—not for sordid gain but eagerly. 3 Do not lord it over those in your charge, but be examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief shepherd appears, you will win the crown of glory that never fades away. 5 In the same way, you who are younger must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you must clothe yourselves with humility in your dealings with one another, for
“God opposes the proud,
but gives grace to the humble.”
6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. 8 Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sisters in all the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering. 10 And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the power forever and ever. Amen.
Final Greetings and Benediction
12 Through Silvanus, whom I consider a faithful brother, I have written this short letter to encourage you and to testify that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it. 13 Your sister church in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings; and so does my son Mark. 14 Greet one another with a kiss of love.
Peace to all of you who are in Christ.
Study “The Example of Christ’s Suffering” (1 Peter 2:18-25)
Jesus has set the stage for us in our attitude of suffering. Peter reminds us in these verses that if we have done what is right, and suffered for it, then God will give us His approval. We look to how Jesus was treated. When He was mocked, He was silent. He was beaten, yet He endured it, He didn’t fight back. When He was questioned, He didn’t defend Himself and try to win the people over or speak harshly towards them. He spoke truth, and accepted the fate of however his adversaries were going to react toward Him.
Once again, Jesus’s actions prove true to His teachings. In Matthew 5:38-42, Jesus taught us, ““You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.'” Jesus is teaching us not to retaliate, to not respond in an unkind and unloving way. Let Him be our example for how we are to act towards others.
…entrust yourself to the Father
Jesus also reminds us in verse 23, “When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly.” Let us dwell on that trust. Jesus entrusted Himself to the Father, whom He knows judges everyone accordingly and justly. He doesn’t try to “get even” or seek revenge, NO. He leaves the judgement into His Father’s hands. What a great example for us to remember!
Study “Suffering for Doing Right” (1 Peter 3:8-22)
Renew Yourself with Righteousness (1 Peter 3:8-12)
Let verse 8 really sink into our hearts and minds, “…have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind.” If we can master this, then we should have no problem with the second half of the instructions Peter is telling us, “Do not repay evil for evil or abuse for abuse; but, on the contrary, repay with a blessing.”
Think about all of the sins that would be avoided, shut out, and silenced if when we talked to or look at someone we unified our spirit with theirs, approaching them with sympathy instead of judgement. If we humbled our thoughts and mind from boastfulness, pride, and envy. What if we didn’t harden our hearts due to judgement or selfishness, but rather expressed nothing but love.
If we let verse 8 change our lives, think of how:
- We could easily approach anyone or be approached.
- Our responses would become uplifting, helpful, Spirit driven.
- Our focus would be free from self-centered motives and ambitions
- We would use our time, talent, and treasure.
- We would see each person as someone Jesus deems so special that He died for them.
Suffer For The Good (1 Peter 3:13-22)
We are reminded that we are to suffering for doing good. That we will get God’s approval when we suffer with a clear conscience, when we suffer for doing what is right. Verse 14 tells us, “But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed.” Verses 17 and 18 really capture the beauty and purpose of our suffering, he tells us, “For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God’s will, than to suffer for doing evil. For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God.”
Jesus suffered, so we are to suffer. We suffer in order to bring us closer to God.
Study “Suffering as a Christian” (1 Peter 4:12-19)
Think of the persecution the first Christians encountered, compared to the persecution you face. Let these verses convict our hearts more than ever. Have you ever been persecuted, truly persecuted as a Christian? What does that tell you about the amount you share your faith?
Jesus’s death, from the betrayal to the sword pierced in His side is so mystically beautiful. Jesus encounters pain coming from all sides – his “close friend” betraying Him for money – the people He loves running and hiding, leaving Him alone, abandoned – mocked, falsely accused, hearing constant slander and gossip – brutally beaten – His few possessions gambled for – physically exhausted and thirsty – slowly suffocated – every possible hardship poured out upon Him and how did He respond. He allowed it to happen, and He took it for you, and for me, and for everyone waiting for their judgement. Jesus didn’t fight back with words or physically. He didn’t defend Himself or use His Godly powers to escape it. He endured it, willingly, and continued to love us throughout His entire suffering.
Let us all memorize verse 17, and remember it when we are faced with situations that we are called to defend and proclaim our faith, “Yet if any of you suffers as a Christian, do not consider it a disgrace, but glorify God because you bear this name.” Verse 18 is also a good reminder for us to be bold, “…’If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinners?'”
Study “Tending the Flock of God” (1 Peter 5:1-14)
There is no better way to end our study on 1 Peter than to pray verses 7-11. I highly recommend memorizing this Scripture passage for when you encounter suffering. Truly reflect on each verse, relating it to your life and situation. YOU ARE NOT ALONE. As Christ suffered for you to be your example, He also walks alongside you every moment you suffer. He sees every tear, hears every cry, and feels every pain and emotion you go through. Pick up your cross and follow Him daily. He will carry it with you.
“Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sisters in all the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering. And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the power forever and ever. Amen.”
Study Questions and Summary
- How do you respond to those who are cruel to you? Do you retaliate, fight back, speak are harshly as they do to you?
- Do you leave the judgement of others up to God?
- When you suffer, is it a result of your own sin, or your faith? Is it suffering that Peter says God would approve of?
- How do you respond to suffering? Is your response like Jesus’s?
- What encouragement do you get from 1 Peter 5:7-14? Do you think memorizing this passage could help you during your suffer?….YES
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