First Epistle of Peter
THE FIERY TRIAL
Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 4:12 (KJV)
"Beloved, think it not strange"
Once again the apostle returns to his main theme, i.e., the sufferings of these early saints and how they were to behave under these sufferings. He commences this portion with the term of endearment, "beloved". This is the strong word for "love", meaning "intensely loved" or "divinely loved". Not only Peter loved them, but the Lord loved them as well. It is wonderful to know, especially in time of great distress, that the Lord loves you. There might be an inclination to question His love when all goes wrong. "If the Lord loves me, why does He let all this happen to me?" Even the unsaved are inclined to say, "If there is a God in heaven, why doesn't He guard from suffering those who trust and obey Him?" In chapter 1, verses 6 and 7, we read how that as a goldsmith tests his gold in the furnace the Lord tests everything. Persecutions and sufferings are also permitted in order that the dross may be skimmed off and we may be purified. The goldsmith is not satisfied until he can see the image of his face in the molten metal. The Lord is not satisfied until the image of Christ can be seen in us. Usually, the loveliest saints are the ones who have suffered much.
Suffering should not be strange or alien to a Christian. First of all, Christ suffered much. Tradition tells us that all the apostles, excepting John, suffered martyrdom. Thousands of the early Christians were persecuted in every conceivable way and as we look about us, we see many suffering today. It is not to be wondered about, it is so. Satan is the God of this world (2 Cor. 4:4) and he will make it as hard as possible for the Lord's people. The world lies in the lap of the wicked one and hates to be aroused from its sleep of death. They too, will do all in their power to hinder and harm a Christian.
It is interesting to note that Peter thought it not a strange thing that Christ should have to suffer. When Christ taught His disciples that it would be necessary to go to the cross, to suffer bleed and die, it was Peter who began to rebuke Him saying, "Be it far from thee Lord: this shall not be unto thee". But the Lord turned to him and said, "Get thee behind me Satan: thou art an offense unto me" (Matt. 16:21-23). Peter probably often gave thought to this blunder. Obviously, he did not want any of his readers to make the same mistake. The Lord Jesus said, "In the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).
"concerning the fiery trial which is to try you"
The trials that they were going to go through were not going to be light ones. They were to be scorching flames of persecution. Peter lets them know so there would be no surprises when the flames came. Today, many in the world (even Christians) live lives of ease and luxury; but they should not be surprised if persecutions come. The law now gives many in the world the right of religious liberty, but there are subtler forces at work trying to take this away. Do not be surprised if the enemy yet again gains the upper hand. If it should come, let us be faithful and strong. Daniel's three friends went into the fiery furnace, the Lord was with them, and they came out unscathed. We may not get through it as well as they did, but we can be sure the Lord will be with us all the way.
"as though some strange thing happened unto you"
Remember, even though Satan brings persecutions, they are not accidents. The Lord permits them to come for a good purpose. We may not be able to see the good in them at the time, but Romans 8:28 is true just the same. "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose."
Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 4:13 (KJV)
"But rejoice"
Does it seem strange to you that the apostle should tell his readers to rejoice in the midst of fiery persecution? Yet that is exactly what he does tell them. "But", you say, "How can a man rejoice under such circumstances?" He can, in anticipation of the reward and joy he will receive because he is a partaker of Christ's sufferings.
"inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings"
The word "inasmuch" has the sense of "in as far as". One can rejoice in as far as he is a partaker of Christ's sufferings. If he is suffering for his own misdemeanors there is no reason to rejoice. But, if he is suffering because of love for Christ or because of a Christ-like life, he may well rejoice over it.
Christ was hated because He condemned sin, especially the sins of religious leaders. In Matthew 23, seven times over He says, "Woe unto you scribes, and Pharisees, hypocrites". They would have killed Him then if they dared or could. There is nothing that will get a Christian into trouble quicker than speaking against false religion. They also hated Him because He claimed to be the Son of God. They will also hate us if we go about saying that we are a Son of God. Christ refused to intermingle with them in any of their foolishness. If we live a separated life, refusing to join them in their sinful amusements, they will hate us. They hated Him because His spotless purity showed up their dirty manner of life. To live on a higher standard of morality than those around us is sure to bring hatred. Suffering for this is to be a partaker of Christ's suffering and will bring glory forever.
Peter uses the word "partaker" or "sharer" three times in his two epistles. Here we are "partakers of His suffering". In 2 Peter 1:4, we are "partakers of the divine nature". In 1 Peter 5:1, Peter speaks of being a "partaker of the glory". What a wonderful thing and almost unbelievable, that we are partakers of the divine nature. If the Scripture did not say it, we would not dare to do so. But since we are partakers of the divine nature, can we expect much better treatment than the divine Son of God received when He was here? Also, since we are to be partakers of His glory, is it any more than right that we be partakers of His sufferings? The Scriptures link us up with Him in almost every conceivable way. It is certainly better to share a bit of Christ's suffering now and then share His glory, than to be like the unsaved who will not trust Him for fear of the suffering only to suffer for their sins through a long eternity.
"when His glory shall be revealed"
You will notice that glory comes right behind suffering. It is often so in the Word. Christ suffered and then entered into glory. Suffering may be here now, but the glory will soon follow. Who can tell just what that means, "When his glory shall be revealed"? Some of these days the heavens are going to burst apart, and He will come with great power and glory; and all nations will be gathered before Him as He is seated on the throne of His glory. And to think we are to share that glory with Him. Not only that, but we will be like Him (1 John 3:2).
"ye may be glad also with exceeding joy"
That word "exceeding" could be translated "exulting". Our joy will be so intense that words cannot describe it. "In thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore" (Ps. 16:11). As we look back on this little time of suffering, it will seem as nothing compared to the joy of being forever with Him. In the measure that our eyes are fixed on Him and the prospects of sharing His glory with Him are real to us will we rejoice in our present distresses.
