1 Peter Study #12

“Doing What’s Right Despite the Cost”

1 Peter 4:12-19

Study #12 in 1 Peter Series 

INTRODUCTION:

For the first 200 years of America’s history there were certain core beliefs and teachings that were the rule rather than the exception. These were values not found in some other parts of the world, but they were held in America as virtues. They were taught at home, in church, and in the classroom. Here are a few samples:

·       Work is noble. Hard work is virtuous.

·       Never ask someone to do something for you that you can do for yourself.

·       Honesty is its own reward. It will pay rich dividends over time.

·       A man has a right to defend himself, his home, and his possessions.

·       Freedom to make your own decisions means you are also responsible for the consequences.

·       A man’s word is his bond. Do what you have promised you will do. Follow through.

·       Treat others the way you want to be treated. This is the Golden Rule.

·       If you have done wrong, admit your guilt and take your punishment like a man.

·       Never blame others for your sins, mistakes, errors in judgment, or bad behavior.

·       Your reputation is what people think you are, character is what you are on the inside.

·       A man’s integrity is his most precious possession. Defend it at all costs. 

TRANSITION:

In today’s study Peter discusses another such virtue; namely, Do what’s right despite the personal cost. This is not a new idea, and it is not even exclusive to Christians. In every war, brave soldiers, sailors, and airmen have laid down their lives for their comrades and their beloved country. They have done the right thing even though it cost them their own lives. In these verses Peter is urging us to do this for Christ and for the sake of the Kingdom.

NOTES on the Text:

Verse 12: Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;  

• “Beloved” – This is the second time Peter has used this term of endearment for his readers. He used it first in 2:11. It shows his pastor’s heart for the people to whom he ministered. It reminds me of Dr. J. Vernon McGee who also often used this term in his preaching.  
• “…do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you,” – We do not know exactly what sort of persecution his readers were going through, but it must have been a difficult time for them for Peter to use the words, “fiery ordeal.” As near as we can tell, Peter wrote this ca. AD 64-67, shortly after Nero blamed the Christians for the Great Fire of Rome, which occurred in July 64 AD. The Roman historian, Tacitus (cf. Annals 15.44), describes Christians being burned as living torches—literal fiery ordeals. The churches of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia (cf. 1 Peter 1:1) were bracing themselves for even greater imperial hostility. Here Peter contextualizes their suffering within God’s sovereign refinement process, countering and giving meaning to the terror incited by this Roman brutality. The Romans were doing it out of hatred; the Lord was allowing it and using it as a tool to refine, polish, and perfect His Church.
• This theme of suffering runs through the whole letter. For example, in 1:6-7 Peter wrote, “In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, ⁷ so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” And in 2:20-21 he says, “For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God. ²¹ For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps.” And of course, in 3:14 we heard Peter say, “But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be in dread.” Jesus taught His disciples from day one that they should expect suffering and persecution if they would follow Him. It’s baked into the cake, it’s to be expected because the devil and the world hate God and the message of the Gospel. So here Peter reminds his readers, “Do not be surprised” that this is happening.
• “…which comes upon you for your testing,” – What the world means for evil God means for good. We learned this principle from the story of Joseph being sold as a slave by his brothers. Peter says, “God is allowing these fiery trials to come into your lives that He might test you and thus prove your strength and value.” He wants them to see their present circumstances from God’s perspective. God is not punishing them; He is perfecting them. There is a big difference between these. James 1:2-4 makes this same point, “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, ³ knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. ⁴ And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” Paul adds this in Romans 5:3-5, “And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; ⁴ and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; ⁵ and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”  
• “…as though some strange thing were happening to you;” – When I read this phrase my mind instantly starts playing the theme songs from the X-Files, The Outer Limits, The Twilight Zone, and Stranger Things. But Peter is telling us that persecution is not an aberration, an accident of fate, or a product of bad luck. No, it is part of the normal Christian life. We should expect it and be prepared to face it with strength, love, and courage.   

Verse 13: …but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.

• “…but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing,” – We should view persecution and suffering for the cause of Christ not as punishment, or a sign of God’s disapproval and abandonment, but as an honor and privilege to suffer for the sake of the One who came down from Heaven and partook of our humanity and sufferings in order to redeem us. He became a man and suffered for us. We should rejoice that we can suffer for Him. Rejoicing despite pain and sorrow is a hallmark of our faith. Philippians 4:4 urges, “Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I say, REJOICE!” Paul, writing from prison, told the Colossian believers in 1:24, “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh, I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions.” Of course, the world rejects this logic completely. They think we are insane to even ponder such a thing.   
• “…so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.” – Peter is again referring to Christ’s glorious return and our reunion with Him. On that day, those who have been faithful to Christ and the Gospel, despite their sufferings and persecution, will be rewarded and there will be much rejoicing. 

Verse 14: If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 

• “If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed,” – Here again we see heavenly logic at work, as opposed to the world’s perspective. Peter reminds us that to be reviled and maligned for the sake of Christ is truly a blessing because it means we are sharing in His suffering. In this verse there are two promises made to those who suffer for Christ: #1. They will be blessed by God. #2. The Spirit of God will settle down upon them to refresh and give them rest.
• “…because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.” – This is an odd construction because what it literally says is, “…because the of glory and of God Spirit rests on you.” This is Peter’s way of saying, “…the Glorious Holy Spirit of God rests on you.”
• “…rests on you.” – Peter is quoting from Isaiah 11:2 which refers to Christ, “The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him [Jesus], the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and strength, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.” For “rests on you” Peter uses the Greek word, ἀναπαύω, (anapauō) which means to give rest, or to refresh. It’s the same verb Jesus used in Matthew 11:28, when He said, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” In the same way that the Shechinah of God rested upon the Tabernacle, the Glorious Holy Spirit of God rests upon the believer. Matthew 3:16 illustrates this beautifully, “After He was baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and settling on Him.” Peter is saying that the Spirit of God rests upon us and gives us rest. That is a beautiful picture. 

Verse 15: Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler;

• “Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer,” – “Make sure” is a command, an order. It means, be careful, take precautions, ensure that it doesn’t happen… “that none of you suffers as a murderer” or any other kind of malefactor. Peter already touched on this truth in 3:17 where he said, “For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.” If we suffer as an evildoer, our suffering is deserved and it brings shame upon us and upon the name of Jesus. Peter recognized that not all suffering that Christians experience is suffering in the name of Jesus. He wanted to make sure that it never happens, although we know that it sometimes does.
• “…or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler;” – Here Peter adds to the list some other grievous sins that Christians should never commit. It is a representative list, not an exhaustive one, but you get the point.

Verse 16: …but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name.  

• “…but if anyone suffers as a Christian,” – This is one of only three times this word appears in the New Testament (Acts 11:26; 26:28; and 1 Peter 4:16). It is the Greek word, Χριστιανός (christianós), which signifies a follower of the Christ. The word Cristianos was built on the title Christ with the added suffix –ianus, which is a Latin construction denoting a partisan follower. Thus, the word categorized the followers of Jesus Christ as members of the Christ-party. It was first applied by the Romans as a pejorative and term of derision. However, it was not universally accepted until some years later. Jesus’ disciples called themselves people of “the Way,” from Jesus’ words in John 14:6. Here in 1 Peter 4:16, Peter is speaking from the point of view of their Roman persecutors (cp. “as a thief,” “as a murderer”). Starting in the second century believers salvaged the word, and started using it as a title of honor for themselves.  
• “…he is not to be ashamed,” – Being a Christian is not something of which to be ashamed. Rather, we should take holy pride in bearing the name of the One who bore our sins on the cross.
• “…but is to glorify God in this name.” – Rather than skulking around being ashamed to be called a Christian, we should hold our heads high and give thanks to God that we have been found worthy to bear “the name that is above every name,” the name that will one day cause every knee to bow and every tongue to confess that JESUS IS LORD, to the glory of God.

Verse 17: For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the Gospel of God?

• “For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God;” – Peter is pointing out that the church was going through a time of testing and judgment with the intention that she would emerge stronger and purer. God was using suffering and persecution as a form of judgment in the purifying sense, to refine the “household of God,” the church. This is only right and just, for judgment to begin at the house of God. Referring to this C.H. Spurgeon wrote, “There is equity in it; for Christians profess to be better than others, and so they ought to be. They say they are regenerate, so they ought to be regenerate. They say that they are a holy people, separated unto Christ; so, they ought to be holy, and separate from sinners, as He was.”
• “…and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the Gospel of God?” – Every student of God’s Word knows the answer to this rhetorical question. The story is not going to end well for those who have rejected Christ and turned their noses up at God’s gracious offer of redemption through the blood of the cross. They will one day pay an awful price for their rebellion, unbelief, and disobedience. The Lake of Fire will be their ultimate destination. Peter is here making the point that if this is what God’s children experience in this life, what will become of those who have made themselves the enemies of God? How can they ever hope to stand before His righteous judgment and terrifying wrath?

Verse 18: And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner? 

• “And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved,” – Just look at what it cost God to save us. It cost the death of His only begotten Son, Jesus. We were redeemed from the slavery of sin and the kingdom of Satan, but the cost was immense. That is a proof of God’s great love for us.
• “…what will become of the godless man and the sinner?” – Christians can rejoice that the sufferings we face in this life are the worst we will ever face throughout eternity. We have already seen the worst. However, those who reject Christ have seen the best that their pitiful lives have to offer. It is all downhill from here, all the way to Hell.

Verse 19: Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.

• “Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God…” – Obviously Peter is talking about believers. Here again we see his certainty that our suffering in this life is filtered through God’s love for us, and His sovereign purpose of smoothing off our rough edges to conform us to the image of His Son. Suffering in the life of the child of God is not random. It is not hateful or sadistic. It is not accidental. It is not without purpose. Even though God does not always reveal to us the reasons for our suffering we can be sure that He knows exactly what He’s doing and eventually work it out for His glory and for our good (cf. Romans 8:28-30).   
• “…shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.” – When we know for certain that God loves us and will never do us wrong, it makes it much easier to trust Him, even when we cannot figure out the ‘why’ of what we are going through at the moment. That’s where faith kicks in. Peter calls Him the “faithful Creator.” As the One who made us, He has every right to do with us as He sees fit. However, He is also our loving Father, and He loves His children with an everlasting love. In the end, for me, that’s all I need to know. Knowing that He is trust-worthy, I can entrust my soul to Him, knowing that it is in good hands, and that is a great comfort.