![]() Hebrews 12:28 Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, 29 for our God is a consuming fire.Īnd no one will be untouched by his consuming fire. Our God is described as a consuming fire: The results could be approval, or discipline, or condemnation. Judgment -(krima) is not necessarily condemnation (katakrima) this can be a judgment that results in good or bad evaluations. We live in God’s appointed season for judgment. Take courage and be faithful to endure, because even the timing of the trials is God’s own appointment and does not come from our enemies. We might ask ‘what is going on in the world? Why are God’s people suffering and evildoers are going unpunished?’ Peter’s answer is that we suffer as Christians because it is time. He starts with the word ‘ For’: Peter is giving us reason for suffering. ![]() He says:ġ7 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” 19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. ![]() ![]() In verses 17-19, Peter gives us reason for our sufferings, and he brings us comfort by drawing inferences from our situation, and finally he concludes with a summary directive for how we are to live in light of this truth. Then he gives us the desired response: suffering is fellowship with Christ – delight in it! The weightiness of intimacy with a God who is glorious beyond our comprehension far outbalances any temporary pain that we must endure. We are warned against a wrong response: suffering is not unusual – expect it. “When faith begins, God does not neglect it he lays the holy cross upon our back in order to strengthen us and make our faith mighty.” Luther, p.192 We are not to be surprised because Jesus prepared us for suffering by his teaching, and because we know what suffering is for – just like precious metals need the impurities to be burned away in the furnace, so our faith must be tested in the furnace of affliction to prove its infinite worth. Peter has warned us against a wrong response to suffering: don’t be surprised. In verse 16 he tells us ‘if anyone suffers as a Christian… let him glorify God in that name’. Amen.Īnd suffering is a stage on which we can most eloquently magnify our great God and Savior. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. The ultimate purpose of humanity is to bring glory to God, as Peter stated at the end of verse 11:ġ Peter 4:11… in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. Intro: Peter is writing to encourage the saints in suffering. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” 19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 1 Peter 4:17-19 The Reason for SufferingĠ6/14 1 Peter 4:17-19 The Reason for SufferingĤ:12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
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