Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. (1 Peter 4:12-13)

It Should Not Surprise Us

The life of the righteous has always been in contrast to those who serve their own gods. When men become their own gods, they digress into an oblivion of selfish love, satisfaction, and pride. Without exception, ethics determines those who live according to a moral compass of truth will be persecuted by those who do not. Morality becomes the freedom of choice to do what is right in one’s own sight. Without exception, those who live for their self-interest will persecute any who walk according to a strict set of rules because of the judgment of righteousness. In the first century, the church suffered greatly from the religious world, government, and societal views.

Peter reminds the saints of the dispersion that suffering for the name of Christ should not come as a surprise. The world does not believe in God and will not accept Jesus Christ as the Son of God. As a result of the hatred of the world for divine truth, those who follow Christ will be persecuted and ridiculed, and mistreated. Before Paul became an apostle of Christ, he led an intense persecution against those of the Way, dragging men and women off to prison, casting his vote for people to die, and causing havoc in every city on those who claimed Christ as Savior. The Jews persecuted the Christians. For nearly two hundred years, the Roman government persecuted Christians. The church did not disappear but increased in number.

There is no joy in being persecuted. Untold numbers of saints were killed. There were many of God’s people who lost everything they had in this world. The life of a Christian was a life of a vagabond for many. Churches worshiped in secret. Clusters of the faithful were found sprinkled throughout the world in constant fear of those who would find them. Peter tells his fellow saints; this should not surprise them.

Persecution is not something strange to the lives of the faithful. Serving Jesus Christ is best understood by seeing what men did with Jesus. There was a time the Lord enjoyed a period of popularity, but that soon faded. Jealous men began to plot against Jesus. Envy filled the hearts of the Jewish leaders as they sought ways to kill Jesus. They eventually succeeded when they convinced the Roman government to crucify an innocent man. Jesus was not only innocent of any crime worthy of crucifixion, but He had also never sinned against God. He healed untold thousands. His teachings were powerful messages of hope, love, grace, and righteousness. He was not readily accepted by those who wanted to live according to their fleshly desires. Jesus always sought the good of all men, whether they were lepers, tax collectors, or a Samaritan woman of ill repute coming to the well of Jacob. Everything about the life of Jesus was for the good of others; and they killed him.

The reason it should not come as a surprise for the Christians to be looked at with disdain is because that is what they did with Jesus. Everything about the life of Jesus was good, but people hated Him. Jesus taught His disciples they would also be hated. If men persecuted Jesus, they would persecute His followers. What the Christian must master is the realization of persecution. They should not be surprised those in the world are hateful. It is not some strange thing that is happening to the saints of God. Instead, Peter admonishes the faithful to rejoice in being like Christ in suffering for righteousness. That is a good thing. If you must suffer for anything, suffer for doing the will of God. The joy that comes with suffering is knowing the glory that comes afterward. It will probably not be in this life, but that makes no difference. Life is short. Eternity is endless. Suffering in the short term gets over. Glory in the eternal is without measure.

What is the end of the story? When hard times come against the faithful, they should not be surprised. There is a need to endure to the end to receive a crown from the Father. What happens in this life is of no importance. Endure suffering, and the Lord will reward you in the life to come. That is where you will find exceeding joy and happiness without end. Be strong. Have courage. Endure. The best is yet to come.