1 Peter—Highlights on Suffering

· Hope in our suffering is based on our new birth and imperishable inheritance that we have through Christ’s death and resurrection (v. 3-6)

· Our trials are used to show that our faith is genuine—which will ultimately glorify Jesus Christ.  This faith involves loving Christ and believing in Him, although we have not seen Him (v. 7-8)

· The prophets were serving us (future generations) as they predicted how Christ’s suffering would produce the glories (including our salvation and sanctification) to follow (v. 10-11)

· Foundation for suffering: We need to keep our identity and purpose for living before us—living as holy (kept apart from sin), chosen people that have received the mercy of God (v. 1:13-2:12)

· We are to submit to our authority (both at work and in the home)—even when harsh with us. Christ’s response to His suffering is to be our example. When insults were hurled, he did not retaliate.  Instead, he entrusted himself (and I believe the people who were sinning against him) to the judge (God), who would one day call all sin to account. When Christ saw there sin, he continued to move towards the cross, rather then retaliate, knowing that His death would pay for those sins.(2:13-7)

· Repay evil with blessings, knowing that God’s eyes are on the righteous and he is attentive to our prayers (3:8-12)

· If our suffering is a part of God’s will, suffering for doing good can have purpose, just as Christ’s death had purpose (3:13-22)

· We are to arm ourselves (in suffering) with the same attitude Christ had as he approached the cross, with a heart to please the Father (4:1- 4:6)

· We are to live with the mindset that the end is coming (our time on this earth is temporary)—therefore be clear minded and self controlled so that you can pray, love deeply, and serve others with our God given gifts. All of this should be done in the strength of God, that he may receive the glory (4:7-11)

· If you are suffering for Christ, rejoice in your suffering, commit themselves to their faithful creator and continue to do good (4:12-19)

·  Serve the body willingly and at the proper time, you will be rewarded (5:1-4)

· In humbling ourselves, God is able to give grace. Be self controlled and alert—watching for the enemies schemes. We can stand firm and know that there are others in the world who are doing the same (5:5-9)

We are promised that after we have suffered for awhile, God will restore us and make us permanently strong, firm, and steadfast (5:10)

In Summary

 

In this world, we are to focus on the life that we have been given in Christ, as well as the imperishable inheritance. Our trials serve a purpose in proving our faith genuine, both to ourselves and to other people. (God knew from the beginning of time whether our faith would be genuine). In light of the suffering that Christ went through on our behalf, we are to live out the identity and purpose that he secured for us through his death and resurrection. That purpose is to be Holy as Christ was Holy.

 We are to submit to authority over us, even if we are treated harshly, by keeping in mind how Christ responded when he suffered. We are to repay evil with good, just as Christ did, knowing that one day all will be judged for their actions. Our suffering can be within God’s will and we are to approach our trials with a heart to please our Father.

Knowing that are time here is temporary, we need to continue to love one another whole heartedly. If this is done in the strength of the Lord, then God will receive the glory. We are to rejoice in our suffering, knowing that a time will come when the full glory of God will be revealed. We need to continue to be alert and aware that the enemy seeks to destroy us. We need to stand firm and steadfast, even in the midst of discouragement, knowing that there is a time when Christ will restore us and we will receive his glory in full.

Summary

           In this world, we are to focus on the life that we have been given in Christ, as well as the imperishable inheritance. Our trials serve a purpose in proving our faith genuine, both to ourselves and to other people. (God knew from the beginning of time whether our faith would be genuine). In light of the suffering that Christ went through on our behalf, we are to live out the identity and purpose that he secured for us through his death and resurrection. That purpose is to be Holy as Christ was Holy.

 We are to submit to authority over us, even if we are treated harshly, by keeping in mind how Christ responded when he suffered. We are to repay evil with good, just as Christ did, knowing that one day all will be judged for their actions. Our suffering can be within God’s will and we are to approach our trials with a heart to please our Father.

Knowing that are time here is temporary, we need to continue to love one another whole heartedly. If this is done in the strength of the Lord, then God will receive the glory. We are to rejoice in our suffering, knowing that a time will come when the full glory of God will be revealed. We need to continue to be alert and aware that the enemy seeks to destroy us. We need to stand firm and steadfast, even in the midst of discouragement, knowing that there is a time when Christ will restore us and we will receive his glory in full.

“Shout with joy to God, all the earth!  Sing to the glory of His name: offer him glory and praise!”  ~Ps. 66:1