1 Pet 4:13 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 Pet 4:14 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 Pet 4:15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters.
1 Pet 4:16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.
The above verses, teach us about four specific things to understand, and do when we are in a fiery trial.
1. Rejoice. This may seem strange to us, but, it's what we ought to do. Why would we rejoice in a fiery trial? Because says Peter, you are partaking in Christ's sufferings, and when His glory is revealed, ( in the trial itself, and when you see Him face to face ) you may be glad with exceeding joy. In other words, as a Christian, you know that it's only a matter of time before you see Jesus, and when you do, you will see Him in all of His glory, and the joy that you will have at that moment will be exceedingly wonderful.
2. Blessed. This is another truth for those are reproached ( insulted, reviled, undeserved reviling ) for the name of Christ. We are blessed if we are in this position, because the Spirit of Glory and of God rests upon us. Those who reproach you, revile Christ, but for you who follow Him, He is glorified. So, to put it another way, God is with you. His Spirit is with you.
3. Suffering. Peter is essentially saying, that suffering does not have to be the result of four different things. By the way, these acts will bring suffering into the life of a Christian. Murder, Stealing, Evildoing, and being a busybody in other people's matters, or being a meddler. We are to keep ourselves from these things, and therefore we will not wind up suffering as a result.
4. Not ashamed. That's something we do not have to have in our lives. If you are suffering as a Christian, do not be ashamed of it. Christians do suffer who hold to the Word of God in the midst of this fallen and wicked world. And when they do suffer, they do not have to have a sense of shame about themselves. Ashamed, is also translated "shrink".......in other words, a person who is ashamed will often kind of shrink back from others, feeling disgraced and dishonored. But, Christians don't need to be ashamed. Rather, they are to glorify God. Or to praise God, to give Him honor and glory.
May the Lord give you grace and strength if you are suffering. And may the things said in these verses be of help to you, in helping you understand what to do when in a fiery trial.
Application/Promise
1. Everyone goes through something fiery, now and then.
2. You are not alone, God is with you.
3. It's not unusual to go through severe suffering.
4. Jesus Himself went through more then we know.
5. God will get you through it.
6. God will purify your life through it.
7. He is with you today.
8. You will praise Him when you see Him.
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