I Peter 4:12-19
Although Peter has been talking about suffering all along in this epistle, today’s reading is his strongest message on suffering. He says it all: He ties our sufferings to Jesus’ sufferings (v. 13); he expects that we will be reviled for the sake of the name of Jesus (v. 14); and he acknowledges that God allows or even encourages our suffering (vv. 17, 19; see below). Listen to Peter – November 1, pray for the persecuted church!
But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. (v. 15) The NKJV translation had “busybody” instead of “meddler”. That’s what caught my eye in reading today. I even read this verse out loud to Carol and mentioned these four (murderer, thief, evildoer, busybody) as appearing in descending order. She commented that busybodies can be terribly hurtful also – no doubt, I imagine, they can even led to murder!!
For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God… (v. 17) and Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. (v. 19) As noted above, God clearly allows our suffering. My Study Bible even suggested that “The persecutions that believers were undergoing were divinely sent judgments intended to purify God’s people.” I think “divinely sent” is a bit strong, although God did send enemy forces to bring judgment upon Israel in the Old Testament. But I do believe that God allows our suffering as a means for our purification. But I think the greater meaning for Christian persecution is as an evangelistic witness to the persecutors or the bystanders. I can imagine the lifelong regret that Paul felt when he remembered himself standing by the leaders’ robes as Stephen was being stoned (Acts 7:58).
Slava Bohu!