September 26, 2020<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nobody likes to suffer, yet the witness of the Scriptures is uniform in declaring that suffering is one of God\u2019s greatest tools of transformation in the lives of His people. In his letters to the scattered church throughout Asia Minor, Peter addresses this issue and provides encouragement for believers who were under attack through persecution, oppression, and even direct attack by the enemy through false teachers. In the midst of their suffering, Peter reminds them to keep their eyes fixed on their eternal reward: Christ Jesus Himself! As we spend time over the next eight days reading the epistles of Peter, let\u2019s make it out goal to fix our eyes on Jesus and to maintain joy in Him even through the most difficult trials and suffering!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this chapter Peter reminds his readers that the end of all things, along with the final judgment of humanity, is swiftly approaching. In light of this fact, he calls them to live godly lives, to love one another deeply and to steward the spiritual gift which God had given them faithfully for the glory of God!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Peter then urges his readers not to be surprised or caught off guard by the suffering and persecution that they are experiencing. He reminds them that they are actually participating in Christ\u2019s own sufferings when they suffer for their faith, and he implies that suffering and trial are the norm for faithful Christians. Jesus Himself said that His followers would be persecuted: if the world persecuted and murdered our Lord and Savior, how should we expect to be treated any differently?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So we who live without persecution for our faith are the exception, not the norm, for the church of Jesus Christ. Whenever persecution does arise, we ought not to be surprised by it or caught off guard as if it were something strange, but we should understand that this is what we have been called to as believers! Suffering is a necessary and integral part of what Jesus has called His followers to. As we endure suffering and persecution, we set our eyes on a hope that transcends every circumstance, a hope that is found in the faithfulness of our Creator, and we continue to pursue Him in doing good!<\/p>\n\n\n\n