Nov. 15, 2009
Background Scripture: 1 Peter 4
Devotional Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:20-26

As you may remember, the scripture passages of the Uniform Bible Lessons and The Bible Speaks are selected by an ecumenical Committee on the Uniform Series representing some 40 Christian denominations. These and descriptive materials are sent to me annually from the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA.
The scripture for this week is entitled “A Suffering People.” I only occasionally use the titles, but usually find them suggestive.

When I saw this title, I was baffled, for it is not likely that any of you have, are having or will have any experience of suffering because you are Christian. If your church were in Africa, the Middle East or Asia, suffering as a Christian might be a more likely experience.

In the United States it doesn’t really cost much to be a member of the Christian church. Lots of people get by on contributing nothing. Being a Christian may sometimes be inconvenient or limiting, but today, hardly even that.

Besides, membership in a Christian church looks good on the record if you are running for public office.

The end of all things

First, we need to be aware of 1 Peter 4:7: “The end of all things is at hand, keep sane and sober for your prayers.” “The end of all things” reflects the writer’s assumption that the apocalyptic times and the return of Christ in glory are imminent.

He also writes: “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal which comes upon you to prove you, as though something strange were happening to you” (2:12). The “fiery ordeal” is also another allusion of suffering for their faith in Christ. The Second Coming of Jesus, Peter believed, meant persecution was inevitable.

We know now, in fact, that the “end of all things” was not “at hand.” Nevertheless, although his readers did not witness the Second Coming, some did experience persecution, and the writer’s view was relevant to them and their experience. He helped them to see suffering for the faith from a different perspective.

For one thing, he saw persecution as an opportunity. The ordeal of persecution “comes upon you to prove you” (4:12). Is he saying that God sends this ordeal to test them?

No, I believe the responsibility for persecution lies with those who practice it, but their sin is an opportunity for God and His people to witness to the faith.

An opportunity

Second, persecution is an opportunity for the follower of Jesus to “rejoice in so far as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed” (4:14). This doesn’t mean the Christian should seek suffering, but that when it comes to us, we can transform it into an opportunity.

In Romans 8:17 Paul tells us that we will be glorified with him, and in 2 Timothy 2:12, that we will reign with him. Jesus did not seek a cross, but neither did he run away when it came to him.

It is also a time when, instead of fearful incapacitation, we can be about our discipleship: “Above all hold unfailing your love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins. Practice hospitality ungrudgingly to one another. As each has received a gift, employ it for one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace … in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ” (4:9-11).

1 Peter 4 should lead us to ask ourselves some sobering questions: If we are not persecuted for our faith, is there something wrong with our discipleship? If, unlike our brothers and sisters in Africa, the Middle East and Asia, we do not find ourselves at odds with the society in which we live, is it because we are just fortunate, or might it be that there is something missing in our discipleship?

Other Christians may live in a culture that is inhospitable. Is ours relatively hospitable because our faith has been conformed to the shape and values of our culture? Who or what is being transformed?

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Rev. Althouse may write to him in care of this publication.