With this Sunday, I come to the end of my series on 1 Peter. The focus will be on 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11. Here again, the apostle Peter brings up the topic of suffering for one's faith. It also must be kept in mind for us. Maybe we won't have persecution like those early Christians under the Roman Empire, yet we may experience the indifference people have toward us or rejection we experience because of our faith. We may have to face up to negative comments because of what we believe and by the very fact we attend church!
Peter makes the bold statement in terms of our response and how we view our suffering: "Rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ's sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed." (4:13) Easy to say, but I believe not so easy to do. We might want to avoid suffering at any cost instead of doing what is right and then rejoicing.
What I like about this letter is that Peter calls upon believers to place their trust in God for all things. He writes: "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you." (5:6-7) We live out our Christian calling by God's power. We are willing to surrender our lives to this God who cares for us in no small measure!
The letter ends on a very positive note for us keep before us. It is that God will eventually come through for us. Peter writes: "God...will restore, support, strengthen, and establish you." (5:10) What comfort we derive from basing our hope on God. When our orientation is with God, we can rest assured that God has a future for us.
Discipleship Questions for Reflection
What are you anxious about at this moment and have you thought about bringing your concern to God?
Have you ever had a difficult time when you completely placed your life in God's hands?
What direction is your compass pointing at this time in your life?
Peter makes the bold statement in terms of our response and how we view our suffering: "Rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ's sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed." (4:13) Easy to say, but I believe not so easy to do. We might want to avoid suffering at any cost instead of doing what is right and then rejoicing.
What I like about this letter is that Peter calls upon believers to place their trust in God for all things. He writes: "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you." (5:6-7) We live out our Christian calling by God's power. We are willing to surrender our lives to this God who cares for us in no small measure!
The letter ends on a very positive note for us keep before us. It is that God will eventually come through for us. Peter writes: "God...will restore, support, strengthen, and establish you." (5:10) What comfort we derive from basing our hope on God. When our orientation is with God, we can rest assured that God has a future for us.
Discipleship Questions for Reflection
What are you anxious about at this moment and have you thought about bringing your concern to God?
Have you ever had a difficult time when you completely placed your life in God's hands?
What direction is your compass pointing at this time in your life?
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