Persevering Through Persucution (4:12-19)

"THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PETER"

Persevering Through Persecution (4:12-19)

We have observed in our study of 1st Peter that the original recipients of this epistle were undergoing "various trials" - 1 Pe 1:6 “Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, ye have been put to grief in manifold trials,”. In an earlier lesson, "Preparing For Persecution" (1 Pe 3:13-18), we saw where Peter gave instructions on how they (and we) should prepare themselves for hard times. Now in 4:12-19, Peter continues to discuss persecution, but with a slightly different slant. The slant is that he now mentions things that relate to "Persevering Through Persecution", not just preparing for it.

While we might not ever endure "physical" persecution, it is unlikely that we will escape occasional "verbal" or "social" persecution. Therefore, what Peter has to say can be of great benefit to help us persevere in such circumstances. For example, we should expect persecution, verse (12) “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial among you, which cometh upon you to prove you, as though a strange thing happened unto you:”

Persecution is not unusual. A point Peter stresses twice in this verse; "do not think it strange" and "as though some strange thing happened to you". It is something other Christians were experiencing at that time as well - 1 Pe 5:9 “whom withstand stedfast in your faith, knowing that the same sufferings are accomplished in your brethren who are in the world.” Jesus warned His disciples of hard times to come - Jn 15:18-21 “If the world hateth you, ye know that it hath hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love its own: but because ye are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, A servant is not greater than his lord. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.” Why does God allow such things to happen? Read on...

"Fiery trials" serve to try one's faith. Just as gold is tested by fire, so our faith is tested by persecution - 1 Pe 1:6-7 “Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, ye have been put to grief in manifold trials, that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold that perisheth though it is proved by fire, may be found unto praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ:”. This is why God allows the devil to bring such persecution (remember Job?). But just as God blessed Job after his trials, so He will bless us! - 1 Pe 5:10 “And the God of all grace, who called you unto his eternal glory in Christ, after that ye have suffered a little while, shall himself perfect, establish, strengthen you.” As someone has said, "First comes the cross, then comes the crown." So don't be surprised if you find yourself facing ridicule, ostracizing, even physical persecution for the cause of Christ. (Ac 14:22 “confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God.”; 2 Ti 3:12 “Yea, and all that would live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”).

Should it come, what then? Rejoice in persecution, verses (13-14) “but insomuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, rejoice; that at the revelation of his glory also ye may rejoice with exceeding joy. If ye are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are ye; because the Spirit of glory and the Spirit of God resteth upon you.”

The call to rejoice is nothing new. Jesus taught it in His sermon on the mount - Mt 5:11-12 “Blessed are ye when men shall reproach you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets that were before you.” Paul found reason to "glory in tribulations" - Ro 5:3-5 “And not only so, but we also rejoice in our tribulations: knowing that tribulation worketh stedfastness; and stedfastness, approvedness; and approvedness, hope: and hope putteth not to shame; because the love of God hath been shed abroad in our hearts through the Holy Spirit which was given unto us.” And James taught that trials ought to be an occasion for joy - Ja 1:2-4 “Count it all joy, my brethren, when ye fall into manifold temptations; Knowing that the proving of your faith worketh patience. And let patience have its perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, lacking in nothing.”

Why rejoice in persecution? As explained by Jesus... "for great is your reward in heaven". "for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you". As explained by Paul.... "tribulations produces perseverance". Which in turn produces "character, and character, hope". As explained by James.... "the testing of your faith produces patience". And patience can help one be "perfect and complete, lacking nothing".

Peter offers three reasons to rejoice in persecution. It means glory in the future.... "when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy". This will occur at His second coming - 2 Th 1:10-12 “when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be marvelled at in all them that believed (because our testimony unto you was believed) in that day. To which end we also pray always for you, that our God may count you worthy of your calling, and fulfil every desire of goodness and every work of faith, with power; that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”. It means blessing in the present.... "blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you". A reference to the Holy Spirit, and possibly alluding to that blessing described by Jesus in Lk 12:11-12 “And when they bring you before the synagogues, and the rulers, and the authorities, be not anxious how or what ye shall answer, or what ye shall say: for the Holy Spirit shall teach you in that very hour what ye ought to say.”; 21:12-15 “But before all these things, they shall lay their hands on you, and shall persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for my name’s sake. It shall turn out unto you for a testimony. Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate beforehand how to answer: for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to withstand or to gainsay.” This was exemplified in the case of Stephen - Ac 7:54-60 “Now when they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, and said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing on the right hand of God. But they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and rushed upon him with one accord; and they cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. And they stoned Stephen, calling upon the Lord, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.”

Such a blessing might have limited application to the special circumstances of the first century, but God's grace will still provide whatever we need to endure trials - 1 Co 10:13 “There hath no temptation taken you but such as man can bear: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation make also the way of escape, that ye may be able to endure it.” It means Christ is glorified.... "on your part He is glorified", when we endure persecution through the strength Jesus gives us, we make manifest the "life" (power) of Jesus - 2 Co 4:7-11 “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves; we are pressed on every side, yet not straitened; perplexed, yet not unto despair; pursued, yet not forsaken; smitten down, yet not destroyed; always bearing about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our body. For we who live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh.” And so by our conduct we can bring glory to Christ (God) - 1 Pe 2:12 “having your behavior seemly among the Gentiles; that, wherein they speak against you as evil-doers, they may by your good works, which they behold, glorify God in the day of visitation”

We will continue this lesson in a second part noting that we have every reason, then, to rejoice in times of persecution even in this day and age.