First Epistle of Peter
REPROACHED FOR CHRIST'S SAKE
Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 4:14 (KJV)
"If ye be reproached"
To some, perhaps most, to suffer reproach is harder than to suffer bodily harm. It certainly is hard to be laughed at, to have someone curl the lip in a sneer at us, or to be ridiculed as a simpleton, but it should be expected. In fact, if we never receive it, we may conclude that our Christianity may not be very healthy. The nearer we keep to the Lord and the more we live for Him, the more likely we are to suffer reproach. A carnal worldly Christian is not likely to suffer reproach, but one who is outstanding for Christ surely will.
There is an interesting commentary on the life of Moses in Hebrews 11:26, "Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward." Not that he esteemed the riches of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt, but "the reproach of Christ". Moses had a great opportunity, as the world would say, to become a great man in Egypt. Many worldlings might say, "He threw away a great opportunity when he cast in his lot with those slave Israelites." But did h? What would we know of him today if he had stayed in Egypt? Perhaps no more than that his name might be found on some old monument dug up from the ruins of Egypt. Now he is one of the best known men in history; besides, he has a great place in glory with the Lord Jesus. Believe it or not, the reproach of Christ is greater riches than treasures of this world. Many of the Lord's people make the sad mistake of spending a great share of their life seeking earthly riches rather that the riches of Christ.
"for the name of Christ"
This would be better translated "in the name of Christ". The world does not understand this, but when a Christian is being reproached because of being a Christian, it is the same as Christ being reproached. This is also true of persecution. Saul of Tarsus was persecuting Christians and dragging them off to jail. The Lord stopped him on the Damascus road and said, "Saul, Saul, why persecutes thou my people?" (Acts 9:4). The NKJV says, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" In other words, to persecute a Christian is to persecute Christ, unless of course a Christian is suffering for something else besides Christ. This "in the name of Christ" is in contrast to verse 15, which says, "let none of you suffer as a murderer or as a thief" etc. Remember, it does not say, "If ye are reproached for the name of a church, or a creed, or a principle", but "for the name of Christ". Nothing else but Him is worth suffering for or being reproached for.
"happy are ye"
A little reproach or persecution should not cause us to become downcast. Some just can't take it. Some have even stopped serving the Lord because of it. Some have refused to take further part in any work of the Lord because of criticism. Be like the apostles. We read in Acts 5:41, "And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name."
"for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you"
Although our King James Version does not capitalize the word "Spirit" here, there is no doubt it refers to the Holy Spirit. He is "the Spirit of Glory" even as Christ is "the Lord of Glory" (1 Cor. 2:8). The Holy Spirit is also "the Spirit of God". It would seem to say that the Holy Spirit especially rests upon those who are suffering for Christ's name. Certainly He indwells all the saved, but sometimes His presence is more noticeable than at others. During the time of trial, the Lord makes His presence especially felt. How near He was to Stephen during his trial and martyrdom. Stephen actually saw the Lord standing on the right hand of God.
"on their part He is evil spoken of, but on your part He is glorified"
The expression "evil spoken of" is one word in the original. It could be translated, "blasphemed". When, for the name of Christ, a Christian is reproached Christ is blasphemed, but, when the Christian takes it patiently and calmly Christ is glorified. Thus, the one action brings both blasphemy and glory to Him. Why dread or shun something that brings Him glory?
Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 4:15 (KJV)
"But let none of you suffer as a murderer"
It seems incredible that the apostle should even suggest that it would be possible for a Christian to commit murder. However, perhaps this warning was needful. Some of those early Christians, especially Christian slaves, were very brutally treated and some might be tempted to kill their persecutors. They might be provoked to desperation and the apostle warns against it.
The story is told of a Christian who was tantalized unmercifully by an unfaithful wife. One night the brother came home early from work and found his wife in the bed with another man. He shot them both. He remarked in prison, "I just can't believe I did that. I never knew I had it in me to kill anyone. If only I had been more faithful to Jesus." Certainly, a Christian should not resort to killing anyone for any reason. It was not the way the Lord acted under the awful circumstances facing Him. But under intense provocation one can conceive of a Christian committing murder and a closer walk with our Lord Jesus Christ is the only way that will help us stand up under such a similar temptation.
Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 4:16 (KJV)
"suffer as a Christian"
This verse could be used as a text for the whole book of 1 Peter. It sums up the purpose of Peter's writing to these saints. They were suffering now and would continue to suffer because they belonged to Christ.
Only three times in the Scriptures do we find the word "Christian" – here, Acts 11:26 and Acts 26:28. They were not given this name until the work started spreading out among Gentiles. For a long time they were considered a Jewish sect. They called themselves brethren, disciples, those of the way, etc. In contempt, Jews called them "Nazarenes". As Gentiles conversions began to grow, people began to realize that it was more than a Jewish sect and in Antioch they were first called Christians (Acts 11:26).
Just claiming to be a Christian does not make it so. To be a Christian means literally to be "Christ's one" – one that belongs to Christ. One does not become this until trusting and obeying the Lord and being born again. Many profess to be Christian who by word and action deny belonging to Christ. If there is any question about your salvation – any question at all – we pray you will surrender to Him today and become truly His.
"let him not be ashamed"
Many who do wrong and suffer for it may be ashamed "As the thief is ashamed when he is found" (Jer. 2:26). Christians often do things for which they might be ashamed. But, if we suffer as a Christian we need not be ashamed.
Peter was ashamed of Christ and denied Him three times. Perhaps he was afraid of suffering with Christ. Let us neither be ashamed of Him, or ashamed of any suffering we may have to endure because we are His.
Neither let us be ashamed of the gospel. Paul could say, "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first and also to the Greek" (Rom. 1:16). To be ashamed of Christ is to be ashamed of the greatest One that ever trod this scene. To be ashamed of the gospel is to be ashamed of the greatest power this world has ever known.
"but let him glorify God on this behalf"
"On this behalf" could be translated "in this name". And truly, as we suffer in the name of a Christian and bear it patiently and graciously, we will be bringing glory to the name of Christ. If we are Christians, let us never seek to bring glory to ourselves, but always to God. Let us ever give Him the credit and praise for everything. Without Him all of us would be but sinners bound for the pit.
