1 Peter 4:12-19 - Rejoicing in Trials and Suffering

<p>Observations & Applications:</p> <ol><li>The Central Idea of the Text is that Peter encourages his readers to see their Christian suffering as indicative of their union and walk with Christ. Having the divine perspective was intended to help them frame their experiences in such a way so as to give meaning and purpose to their trials.</li> <li>Rejoicing in the midst of Christian suffering is an act of the will, not a natural emotional response. By faith, we choose to praise God in the midst of suffering, knowing He’s placing us in the furnace of affliction to burn away the dross of weak character and to develop those golden qualities that reflect His character. We trust that when He turns up the heat, He never takes His hand off the thermostat.</li> <li>We may experience suffering for a while as we live the Christian life (John 15:20-21; 2 Tim 3:12), but unbelievers will suffer for all eternity, and this because they have rejected Jesus as their Savior (John 3:18, 36).</li> <li>Should we face death at the hands of haters, we are to entrust ourselves to God as the Keeper of our souls (Luke 23:46; Acts 7:59). The Lord who gives us grace to live, will also give us grace to die, if/when that time comes. Remember, we are the Lord’s, and “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His godly ones” (Psa 116:15).</li> <li>Though we cannot control much of the suffering that comes into our lives, we can control our response to it, as we can look to God and maintain faith in His Word. Jesus was not overcome by the cruelty and suffering He endured, but showed love and forgiveness to His attackers (Luke 23:34). Stephen, who spoke strong words of truth while filled with the Holy Spirit, prayed for those who stoned him to death (Acts 7:60). Paul and Silas demonstrated loving concern for the jailer who kept them in chains, sharing the gospel with him when given the opportunity (Acts 16:22-31). Our lives may be vulnerable to the unjust pain and suffering caused by others, but we must look beyond the suffering an