PODCAST

Joy In Suffering

June 27th, 2023

1 Peter 4:1-6

In the early church, Christians experienced great persecution. There was such an emphasis on suffering to be more like Christ that many believers sought to be martyred. Our mindset is far removed from that expression of Christian faith. Peter was writing to Jewish believers who were severely persecuted by both the Roman government as well as Jews who did not believe in Jesus.

Peter reminded those early believers to expect suffering because the way of Christ will always be countercultural. If we don’t experience persecution to the point of death, we may experience it when we are on the receiving end of ridicule or attempts to destroy our character and reputation.

Peter encourages us to remember what it was like when we lived without Christ. Wouldn’t we rather suffer for and with Christ than return to our sin? It is impossible to suffer for Christ while continuing to sin. This is exactly how believers can take joy in suffering for Christ: we remember the pain of separation and hold on to the promise of eternity with Christ even as we serve Him victoriously.

Author: Carol Rittenhouse

Tags: Suffering