October 22
“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. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified,” 1 Peter 4:12-14.
In the words above, the apostle Peter takes up the topic again with reference to the suffering of Christians. “Do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you.” Don’t be surprised and wonder what is wrong when you are persecuted, hated, ridiculed, criticized, and condemned by the children of the world and the non-Christians because you believe in Jesus Christ as God’s Son and your Savior and you are not ashamed to say so.
As a Christian, your principles and standards are much different than those of the ungodly and the ways of the sinful world in which we live. God’s Word is our guide for life. The social standards of the sinful society in which we live do not determine how we are to live. Our moral standards are not determined by a majority vote of the people in the community. The matters of right and wrong in God’s sight are not determined by an earthly-minded judge sitting on the bench.
Remember what the Lord Jesus endured and suffered to redeem all people. He was beaten and bruised, sneered at and slapped, spit upon, ridiculed and rejected, scourged and crowned with thorns, and ultimately nailed to the cross at Calvary, and then left to hang through the heat of the day till He died! After each of these phrases, He looks down upon you and me, and you can hear Him say, “This is the price that I paid for you!”
Because we believe and trust in Him as our Savior from sin, death, and the power of the devil, God tells us through the words written by the apostle Peter, “Hold your head high!” and, “Rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings.” When Peter and the other apostles were arrested and put into prison and then were told to quit preaching and teaching in the name of Jesus, they responded, “We ought to obey God rather than men,” Acts 5:29. Before they were released by the Jewish council, they were beaten again, and Scripture reports, “They departed from the presence of the council rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ,” Acts 5:41-42.
When we are reproached for the name of Christ, it is evidence that we are Christians indeed, and children of the heavenly Father. God’s hand of blessing is extended over us. Peter writes, “Blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you!”
The children of this world will blaspheme Christ. However, Christians will proclaim the glory of God revealed in the sending of His Son to be the Savior of all people. All who believe in Jesus as God’s Son and their Savior will rejoice in their salvation, not only in this life but eternally in the halls of heaven.
“Ashamed of Jesus, that dear Friend,
On whom my hopes of heav’n depend?
No; when I blush, be this my shame,
That I no more revere His name.
Ashamed of Jesus? Yes, I may,
When I’ve no guilt to wash away,
No tear to wipe, no good to crave,
No fear to quell, no soul to save.
Till then – nor is my boasting vain –
Till then, I boast a Savior slain;
And oh, may this my glory be,
That Christ is not ashamed of me!” Amen.