Read 1 Peter 4:12-19.

Introduction⤒🔗

Maybe you can identify with the English merchant who placed the following notice in his store window:

We have been established for over one hundred years and have been pleasing and displeasing customers ever since. We have made money and lost money, suffered the effects of government control and bad debtors. We have been cussed and discussed, messed with, lied to, held up, robbed, and swindled. The only reason we stay in business is to see what happens next.¹

Maybe you do not find it as humorous as this English merchant; rather, you find the adversities you encounter to be unexpected and shocking, and you ask, “Why is this happening to me?”

When asked what trends he saw among Christian men today, an astute Christian leader identified three: 1) a faulty concept of God; 2) unrealistic expectations; and, 3) incredible hurt when tragedies come into their lives. He writes: “When their business collapses, when their health fails, or their children die, they feel God has let them down.”²

It seems that many contemporary Christians assume that there is a verse in the Bible that reads:

Row, row, row your boat,
Gently down the stream.
Merrily, merrily, merrily,
The Christian life is like a dream!

This is a view of the Christian life that is very appealing: the full and immediate experience of heaven on earth. It is a view that to a large extent has been promoted by the church; when we are told, “God loves you, and has a wonderful plan for your life!” it can be easily misconstrued, if it is not carefully and fully explained in biblical terms.

Here you go, merrily, merrily, merrily rowing your boat gently down the stream of life, when suddenly (and unexpectedly) you hit the rapids of trial. You are thrown against the rocks of adversity. The roaring surge of affliction completely drowns out that sweet chorus.

What happens then? It is very likely that you will blame God: “I never bargained for this! God has let me down!” “I’m angry at God!” “I’m not going to trust God anymore!”

Unless this line of thinking is checked, there develops an attitude of bitterness and spite: “God let me down!” “He didn’t keep me in the comfortable warmth and coziness of a spiritual cocoon!” “He allowed me to be exposed to the brutal elements of this wicked world. Now I’m going to get Him back. I’m going to defy Him! That will teach Him!”

So it is that Mr. Good Time Christian sets his face against God. He furiously paddles off in his own direction, heading straight for the waterfalls and certain disaster; eternal disaster!

Here is the real tragedy: not the hard things God brings into our lives, but the bad way we respond to those things. A bad (uncomprehending, unaccepting) response is due to the false and frivolous view of the Christian life that sings,

I shall be carried to the skies
On flowery beds of ease,
While others fought to win the prize
And sailed through bloody seas.

The Apostle Peter alerts us to this sobering fact: Because of our identification with Christ, we can expect to encounter opposition from the devil and the world, what Peter calls “fiery trials.”

When we encounter such trials, what are we to do? Peter instructs us as follows:

When You Encounter “Fiery Trials,” Do Not Be Surprised←⤒🔗

The Apostle Peter gently, (by addressing them as “beloved”), reminds these Christians that we are not to be surprised when we encounter “fiery trials.” We must not view such experiences as though an unprecedented, unheard of phenomenon has come upon us. The Christian life in this world is not one of perpetual and uninterrupted tranquility; on the contrary, it includes the encounter with distressing trials.

The Lord Jesus informed His disciples, “I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation. But have courage; I have conquered the world” (Jn. 16:33). Christ prayed to His heavenly Father on behalf of His disciples, and all His church, in these terms: “I have given them your word and the world hated them, because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. ¹⁵I am not asking that you would take them out of the world, but that you would keep them from the evil one” (Jn. 17:14-15). Paul and Barnabas “returned to Lystra, and to Iconium, and to Antioch, ²²strengthening the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and [teaching] that we must enter into the kingdom of God through many tribulations” (Acts 14:21-22).

Peter acknowledges that the trials we face are “fiery.” That is to say, they are of such a nature and of such intensity as to put us to grief and cause intense pain and suffering at times. As Peter indicated in chapter one, such trials come in a variety of forms: “now for a little while, since it is necessary, you have been brought to grief by all kinds of trials” (1 Pet. 1:6). One form of trial is rejection. The Apostle Paul testifies, “At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them” (2 Tim. 4:16). Another form of trial is ridicule. When he stood before the Roman authorities on behalf of Christ, Paul was ridiculed and accused of being insane: “At this point, Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. ‘You are out of your mind, Paul!’ he shouted. ‘Your great learning is driving you insane.’ ²⁵’I am not insane, most excellent Festus,’ Paul replied. ‘What I am saying is true and reasonable’” (Acts 26:24-25). Yet another form of trial is physical assault, sometimes even resulting in death: [Paul confesses to the Lord that prior to his conversion], “when the blood of your witness Stephen was shed, I stood there giving my approval” (Acts 22:20). Sometimes the trials take the form of direct demonic attacks. Paul testifies: “To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given to me a thorn [the Greek word also means, “stake”] in my flesh, a messenger from Satan, to torment me” (2 Cor. 12:7).

Rather than being caught off guard by “fiery trials,” the Christian must not only be prepared for them and expect them, he must also understand their purpose: they come “for the purpose of testing you” (vs. 12). It is God’s divine prerogative to test the genuineness of our Christian faith and to purify that faith; and He does so by the use of various trials. He may employ trials by what may appear to be the opportunity for gain: the opportunity to make a fortune by an unscrupulous business deal; the opportunity to develop a relationship with the guy or girl of your dreams, but to do so at the sacrifice of biblical principle. When we are confronted by such trials, by means of them the Lord Jesus is asking, “Do you love Me more than these?” At other times, He may employ trials by loss: the loss of a job or a business; the loss of health; the loss of a loved one. When we are confronted by such trials, by means of them the Lord Jesus is asking, “Will you still love Me and trust Me?” A Christian pastor writes, “Loss or suffering, joyfully accepted for the kingdom of God, shows the supremacy of God’s worth more clearly to the world than all worship and prayer.”³ We must recognize that God employs trials as the means not only of purifying His people but also as the means of purging His church. Peter identifies the trial the church was presently undergoing as the beginning of God’s (final) judgment: “The time has come to begin the judgment with the house of God; if it begins with us, what will be the end for those who do not obey the gospel of God?” (vs. 17). One great characteristic of God’s judgment is distinguishing and separating the redeemed from the unconverted and the unrepentant, as the Lord Jesus declares,

When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. ³²All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. ³³He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Matt. 25:31-33

Upon making that final separation, our Lord will then assign each category of persons to their eternal destinations:

³⁴Then the King will say to those on his right, Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world... ⁴¹Then he will say to those on his left, Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. Matt. 25:34,41

Peter teaches that by means of trials God purges His church; He is making a preliminary separation between those who are true disciples of Christ and those who have nothing more than a superficial relationship to Christ. By way of illustration, when a Chinese pastor, assigned to pick rocks out of a field under the Communist persecution, inquired of the Lord as to why the church was undergoing such hardship, the Lord informed him, “I am picking the rocks out of My church.”

Thus it is that, by means of trials, God distinguishes between those who are genuine Christians and those who are Christian in name only. Our Lord Jesus brings to our attention this distinction in His parable of the Four Types of Seed, only one type of which proves to have a true saving relationship with Christ, as is seen by the fact that only they bear spiritual fruit.

With regard to our present study, notice especially the description of the second seed, The Seed Sown on Rocky Ground:

⁵Some seed fell on the rocky ground, where there was not much soil. The seed immediately sprang up, because it had no depth of soil. ⁶But when the sun had risen, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away... ¹⁶Others are like seed sown on rocky ground: when they have heard the word, they immediately receive it with joy; ¹⁷but they have no root in themselves. They endure for a while; but then, when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, they immediately fall away. Mk. 4:5-6,16-17

When we encounter “fiery trials,” we must not be surprised. May we understand that we are being subjected to such trials because of our relationship to Christ, and as a means of testing and confirming that relationship:

...now for a little while, since it is necessary, you have been brought to grief by all kinds of trials. ⁷[This has happened] so that the genuineness of your faith, being of greater value than gold that perishes, having been tested by fire, may be verified, resulting in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Pet. 1:6-7

When You Encounter “Fiery Trials,” Rejoice←⤒🔗

Peter exhorts us to rejoice when we encounter such trials, because it is the evidence that we are participating in the sufferings of Christ: “since you are participating in the sufferings of Christ, rejoice; so that at the revelation of his glory, you may indeed rejoice with exultation” (vs. 13).

We are not called to rejoice because we are suffering; on the contrary, we are called to rejoice in the fact that our suffering is the evidence that we have a living relationship to Christ. Furthermore, it is our living, spiritual relationship with Christ that enables us to endure and that eventually carries us through the suffering to glory.

By way of illustration: We may picture a thrill show water skier being pulled through a ring of fire and emerging safely into the refreshing spray of the waters of the lake. It is our relationship with Christ that both causes us to encounter the “ring of fire” and that brings us safely through it. In Romans 5:2-5, the Apostle Paul gives us this exhortation with regard to suffering, how we are to evaluate it, and how we are to respond to it:

...we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. ³And not only so, but let us even rejoice in our tribulations: knowing that tribulation produces steadfastness; ⁴and steadfastness [results in divine] approval; and approval [gives] hope; ⁵and [that] hope shall not disappoint us; because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts by the Holy Spirit whom he has given to us.

In verse fourteen, Peter addresses a specific type of suffering, namely, being denounced for the name of Christ: “If you are denounced for the name of Christ, you are blessed; because the Spirit of glory, indeed, the [Spirit] of God, is resting upon you.” If we are denounced by the world, (being scorned, censured, disgraced), because of our allegiance to Christ and our identification with Him, we are to be assured that all the more does the blessing (favor) of God rest upon us:

Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. ²³Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven, for that is how their fathers treated the prophets. Lk. 6:22-23

Peter explains that the reproach we encounter from the world is the indication that the Holy Spirit rests upon us. The Holy Spirit brings conviction to the world, as our Lord taught His disciples during the days of His earthly ministry: “And when [the Holy Spirit] has come, he will convict the world with regard to sin, and with regard to righteousness, and with regard to judgment” (Jn. 16:8). In carrying out His ministry, a part of which is convicting the world of sin, the Holy Spirit operates through the life and witness of Christian people, note Ephesians 5:8-11,

Previously, you were [part of the] darkness, but now you [belong to the] light in the Lord; [therefore], walk as children of light; ⁹the fruit of the light consists of all goodness and righteousness and truth, ¹⁰demonstrating what is pleasing to the Lord. ¹¹Do not participate in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead rebuke them.

If we encounter reproach because of our Christian life and witness, it is a dramatic testimony that the Holy Spirit is working in us and through us. Let us bear in mind that this same Holy Spirit who brings conviction to the world is also “the Spirit of glory;” i.e. even as we are censured, scorned and rejected by the world, we are commended and received by the living God, the God of glory who will receive us into His glory and bestow that divine glory upon us. God bestowing His divine glory upon us far more than offsets the scorn and rejection by the world.

When we encounter “fiery trials,” by the grace of God, let us rejoice. May we recognize that suffering reproach for Jesus’ sake is the testimony that we do have a living relationship with Him, that the Holy Spirit is dwelling in us and revealing the life of Christ through us, and that as such we have favor with God and can be assured of His blessing. This all is great cause for rejoicing.

Conclusion←⤒🔗

The Apostle Peter concludes this subject with this exhortation: “Therefore, let those who are suffering in accordance with the will of God commit their souls in doing what is right to a faithful Creator” (vs. 19). In the face of opposition, hardship, tough moral choices, etc. we are to commit ourselves to God by committing ourselves to doing what is right. We are to do so with the full assurance that the LORD our God is “a faithful Creator;” He is faithful to reward our faithfulness to Him and He is also faithful to supply us with the grace to be faithful.

Discussion Questions←⤒🔗

1. With regard to the “fiery trials” they were experiencing, what does the Apostle Peter tell these Christians to whom he is writing? See 1 Pet. 4:12. Are you taken by surprise when you encounter hostility on account of your Christian faith and conduct? What does the Apostle Paul warn us to expect? See 2 Tim. 3:12; Acts 14:21-22,

Beloved, do not be surprised by the fiery trials among you that have come for the purpose of testing you, as though a strange thing has happened to you. 1 Pet. 4:12

Indeed, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 2 Tim. 3:12

And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, [Paul and Barnabas] returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, ²²strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, 'Through many tribulations must we enter into the kingdom of God.'Acts 14:21-22

2. What assurance does our Lord give to those who remain faithful to Him in the face of hostility and even persecution? See Matt. 5:11-12. But what does the Lord Jesus caution about Christians (?) who get along with everyone at all times? See Lk. 6:26. What does such universal acceptance say about their commitment to Christ and the gospel? Is it possible to maintain such acceptance in the midst of a godless and perverse society without compromise or denial of the Lord?

Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for my sake. ¹²Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets that were before you. Matt. 5:11-12

Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for so did their fathers to the false prophets. Lk. 6:26

3. What tenderness does Peter show towards these Christians that were facing hostility from the unbelieving community among whom they lived; how does he address them? See 1 Pet. 4:12a. What does our Lord tell us with regard to His own concern for His people in their suffering? See Ex. 3:7; Psl. 116:15. Far from being aloof to our plight, what are we told about our Lord Jesus? See Isa. 53:3,

Beloved, do not be surprised by the fiery trials among you that have come for the purpose of testing you, as though a strange thing has happened to you. 1 Pet. 4:12

Then the LORD said, 'I have certainly seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt, and I have heard them crying out because of their taskmasters. I know their sorrows.' Ex. 3:7

Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. Psl. 116:15

The LORD’s covenant people are called “saints” because they have been set apart to be His own possession, a people called to reflect His own holiness.

He was despised and rejected by men; [he was] a man of sorrows and acquainted with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces, he was despised, and we did not hold him in esteem. Isa. 53:3

4. Not only is our Lord Jesus not aloof to our suffering, neither are we aloof from His suffering; of what does the Apostle Peter inform these Christians who are experiencing suffering on account of their identification with Christ? See 1 Pet. 4:13. Does this mean that our suffering is meritorious, contributing to the payment for our sins; does not Scripture refute such a notion? See1 Pet. 3:18a; Isa. 53:5-6. In what sense then, do we participate in the sufferings of Christ? Note Phil. 3:10. Christian, do you appreciate the fact that because you share in the resurrection life of Christ, the Holy One of God, you shall inevitably share in the demonically-inspired hatred perpetrated against Christ by sinful mankind? See Jn. 15:18-19,

...since you are participating in the sufferings of Christ, rejoice; so that at the revelation of his glory you may indeed rejoice with exultation. 1 Pet. 4:13

Christ indeed died for sins once for all, the Righteous One for the unrighteous ones, so that he might bring us to God. 1 Pet. 3:18a

...he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment was laid upon him for our peace, and by his wounds we are healed. ⁶We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the LORD has laid upon him the iniquity of us all. Isa. 53:5-6

Indeed, I regard all such things [a reference to Paul’s self-produced “good works” in which he once trusted for his salvation] as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ, ⁹and be found in him, not having my own righteousness, which is derived from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness that is from God, [received] by faith; ¹⁰so that I may know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, becoming conformed to his death, ¹¹so that I may in some way attain the resurrection from the dead. Phil. 3:8b-11

If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before you. ¹⁹ If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own; but because you do not belong to the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore, the world hates you. Jn. 15:18-19

5. How does Peter describe the trials these Christian people were facing, what adjective does he use? See 1 Pet. 4:12a. What O.T. incident does Peter’s language bring to mind? See Dan. 3:19-20. Did the LORD, at the last moment, spare His servants from this fiery ordeal? See Dan. 3:21. But what did Nebuchadnezzar witness? See Dan. 3:24-25. In this incident, rather than seeing our Lord spare His servants from death, do we not rather see His presence with them in the midst of death and then see Him proceed to bring them forth into “resurrection” life? Although we are not given the assurance of being spared from death, what assurances are we given? See Psl. 23:4; Lk. 23:43; 1 Cor. 15:20, 23; 1 Pet. 4:13b,

Beloved, do not be surprised by the fiery trials among you that have come for the purpose of testing you, as though a strange thing has happened to you. 1 Pet. 4:12

Then Nebuchadnezzar became filled with fury, and the expression on his face reflected [his anger] against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. He ordered the furnace to be heated seven times hotter than usual. ²⁰Then he commanded valiant warriors who were in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego and throw them into the blazing furnace. Dan. 3:19-20

So these men, [still wearing] their trousers, their robes, their turbans, and their [other] garments, were thrown into the middle of the blazing furnace.Dan. 3:21

Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonished and leaped to his feet. He said to his advisors, Did we not tie up three men and throw them into the fire? They replied to the king, [That is] true, O king. ²⁵He responded, Look! I see four men untied and walking around in the fire, and they are not harmed! And the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods! Dan. 3:24-25

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.Psl. 23:4

Addressing the penitent thief hanging beside Him at Calvary, the Lord Jesus declared,

Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise. Lk. 23:43

²⁰But now [the fact is] Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep [in death]... ²³But each in his own turn: the first fruits, [which is] Christ; then those who belong to Christ when he appears [in glory]. 1 Cor. 15:20, 23

...since you are participating in the sufferings of Christ, rejoice; so that at the revelation of his glory you may indeed rejoice with exultation. 1 Pet. 4:13