12 Dear friends, do not be astonished that a trial by fire is occurring among you, as though something strange were happening to you.
13 But rejoice in the degree that you have shared in the sufferings of Christ, so that when his glory is revealed you may also rejoice and be glad.
14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory, who is the Spirit of God, rests on you.
15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or thief or criminal or as a troublemaker.
16 But if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but glorify God that you bear such a name.
vs. 12 - "do not be astonished that a trial by fire" - 'The world hates God and Jesus' (and you!) is a theme repeated throughout scripture. See: 1 John 3:1; John 15:18, 19, 23 So: don't be surprised if the whole roof caves in on us. It gives us a chance to go through some testing. See also Heb. 11:36, 38; Rev. 2:10 The suffering we receive is a product of our Christianity (or it will be if we live our faith and share it) because the world is frightened of seeing itself as it is. (John3:20)
| Rejoice in it |
vs. 13 - "rejoice in the degree that you have shared in the sufferings of Christ" - The more we suffer the more we are to praise the Lord. When He comes again we will share in His glory. This sounds a little like James 1:2-4 "My brothers and sisters, consider it nothing but joy when you fall into all sorts of trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect effect, so that you will be perfect and complete, not deficient in anything."
vs. 14 - "you are blessed" - God has promised to aid all those who need it. And if we are suffering for Christ, the Holy Spirit is spending His time with us, blessing and comforting.
| Never suffer because of evil actions |
vs. 15 - "suffer... as a troublemaker." - Never, never confuse suffering for evil deeds (or because of evil you have done) with suffering because of your faith in Christ. If the suffering is because of sin, it is deserved and there is no glory. Apparently there are things that Christians should not be doing. (That was facetious and sarcastic.) Crimes, sinful acts and evil doings are symptom of our inherited evil nature. Our legal system only punishes the crimes they can "prove beyond a reasonable doubt". God exacts justice on all creation for there is nothing that can be hidden from Him. 'All creation lies open and exposed before His eyes', and 'every act will be judged, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil'. See Heb. 4:12,13; Eccl. 12:14
vs. 16 - "If you suffer as a Christian..."Don't be ashamed at suffering for Christ, but use that Christian suffering to glorify Christ. In essence, we should be able to say, "Thank You, Oh Lord, that people know I am Your child. It is not by my power, but by Yours that I am able to live a life honoring You." It is because we are Christians that world around us is upset.
Notice that the secular world is hardly ever bothered if you sin? There are some sins - murder, rape, stealing, etc., that cause alarm. It is not enough for you to not murder, or to not rape, or to not steal. Most non-believers do the same. God has a much higher standard to which you are to aim. You will not achieve it under your own power and effort. This can only happen when you let Jesus live in and through you. Vince Lombardi (great Green Bay Packers coach) would tell his players, "We will strive for perfection. We may not achieve it, but on the way we will find excellence." Aim for perfection through Jesus Christ. In this world you will find excellence. In the next world you will be perfect as He is perfect. See: 1 John 3:1-2.
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