There are indeed many facets to the life of a be­liever. There are so many seeming contradictions in his life. Jesus spoke of this many times and taught the people that those who would lose their lives would find life. They lose everything and are rich; they die to themselves and so are made alive. They have a happiness greater than any other and suffer the most. Many more such so-called contradictions are found in the Scriptures to characterize the life of His people. This makes the Christian life ununder­standable to the unbeliever and often even fills the mind of the believer with questions.

The people to whom Peter is writing this epistle were greatly disturbed to find that they had to endure all manner of suffering for the faith they pro­fessed. They believed on the Christ, they loved Him and they sought to serve Him faithfully. He is on the throne and is in control over all things. Then, why must His people suffer so in this present world? They have experienced that it is not all joy and ease of life when one follows Jesus Christ. But, had that been promised?

Not Strange but Normal⤒🔗

Peter addresses this problem in this paragraph and shows them that the readers should not think it strange at all that they have to suffer in this present time because of their faith in Jesus Christ. It seems as though the perse­cution has become more intense in the days in which he is writing. He speaks of "fiery" trials which have come upon them. Persecution has become more heated.

Christ had foretold these sufferings of His people. In the world they would have tribulation. Still, they can be of good cheer because He has overcome the world (John 16:33). He has not overcome the world with the intention of preventing sufferings, but to reveal to them that the world will not be victorious.

But, why are they called to suffer all this in their lives? Peter says that it is to prove them! The suffer­ings of the present time will be used to refine them as precious metals are refined by fire. Therefore they must not think it strange or that a strange thing, something out of the hands of Christ, has come upon them. No, one who knows the Scriptures and has listened closely to the teaching of Christ will realize that this situation is normal. Despite the suf­fering which they now endure, they are still the beloved of God.

A Cause to Rejoice←⤒🔗

Instead of wondering or mur­muring at the ways of God whereby they are caused to suffer, the readers should rejoice! No one can re­joice in suffering except the Christian. He is sharing in the sufferings of Christ! Christ has indeed suf­fered more than any of His followers will ever be called to do. His church is still on the earth and all the forces of evil are directed against Him — but He is "out of reach" — and consequently the hatred of the world is now directed against His people. Neither must they think that suffering will be the endless lot of those who have confessed Jesus Christ as their Savior. They will also be partakers of His glory. This brings a very strong sense of joy even in the present day while they are enduring the con­tempt and suffering at the hands of men. Surely, there is no comparison between the suffering of the present and the glory which they shall receive!

The Apostle uses even stronger words in verse 14 to show the readers that they need not be surprised, nor feel forsaken when they are reproached. Of course, it must be a reproach for the sake of Christ, and not because of something in them. If they are so reproached, they are blessed! Jesus had said the same thing in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:11). That blessedness consists in this that the Spirit of glory and of God then rests on them. The Spirit of God then speaks through you. There is a glory which then radiates from you. When men reproach you in this way it will become evident to them that they are not only dealing with you, but that they are deal­ing with the Spirit of God!

A Time of Proving and Refining←⤒🔗

It is conceivable that the readers of this epistle could be reproached for two different reasons. He has spoken of the re­proach which comes upon them for the sake of Christ. Then they are blessed. If they would be reproached because they do not live a law-abiding life, there would be no blessedness in such reproach. If they would suffer as murderers, or thieves, or wrongdoers in any way, or as those who busy them­selves with such things as do not concern them, they would deserve to suffer for it. However, they realize that such a manner of life is forbidden.

But, their suffering as Christians is the subject wherewith the Apostle is dealing. It is interesting to note that only here and twice in the book of Acts is the term "Christian" used in the New Testament. They are the followers of Christ and are united to Him. They must not be ashamed of this kind of suf­fering which comes upon them but in and through this suffering they are to glorify God.

Is the suffering of believers for the sake of Christ merely an arbitrary act of God which He could just as well have prevented? Does the purpose of this suffering belong to the hidden or secret will of God so that we will never be able to understand the rea­son for it? Such questions filled the minds of the first readers of this epistle and still bother many believ­ers today. Peter says that the sufferings and re­proaches which fall on them are a part of the pro­gram of God which He has revealed to us.

No Cause to be Ashamed←⤒🔗

This is the time, i.e., the gospel age, for judgment to begin with the household of God. There will be no judgment on them when this age has come to a close. There will then be no condemnation at that time for those who love God. Nor does a judgment of condemnation come upon them in this present time.

The judgment which now begins with the household of God is a judgment of proving and of re­fining. The church of Jesus Christ is being cleansed. The sin which surrounds them and still has its effect in their lives is being purged. It is a judgment which has sanctification or the holiness of His people as its goal. His people are His concern. He uses the fiery trials to purify His people. Should they then not glorify the God who is sending these things upon them? Their difficult experiences are for their wel­fare! So does the Kingdom of God come ever more fully within them.

Not to be Compared to the Judgment of the Un­godly←⤒🔗

If the life of the child of God is charac­terized by all manner of suffering in this present time would it not be better to belong to that group which causes the suffering rather than that which receives it? Is it profitable to belong to the children of God? Such questions might not be put into words but they could enter into the hearts of his readers.

Peter therefore speaks concerning the end of those who do not obey the gospel. The "judgment" which falls on His people in the present age cannot be compared to the end judgment which will fall on the disobedient. They will not be covered by the work and blood of Christ and will stand naked before the judgment of God. His people can even re­joice in the judgment which begins at the house of God, but the judgment which falls on the disobe­dient can only lead to final despair.

Verse 18 shows us how important it is to take every word of the Scriptures in the context in which it is written. When the author speaks of the right­eous being scarcely saved, the conclusion might be drawn that this will occur in such a way as to leave the outcome in doubt till the very last moment. But, Jesus Christ has come to give a full and abundant salvation to His people. No one shall snatch them out of His hand. No one will thwart His work. The believer also knows that heaven's door stands wide open for those who have confessed Jesus as Lord. How can the Apostle then speak of the righteous as being scarcely saved?

This statement becomes meaningful only in the light of the preceding words. His people suffer here and it is the kind of suffering which cannot be avoid­ed. It is a part of the work of sanctification which goes on throughout this dispensation. That is what Peter means by being scarcely saved. They are not saved except through the refining process which goes on in their lives — not apart from it. It is a diffi­cult process for the child of God. That's where the emphasis lies.

Now, in contrast, if the righteous is scarcely saved, where shall then the ungodly and sinner appear? Such a one does not fear or serve or honor Him. He tramples upon all His commandments. He lives unto himself and gives no thought to the future. He does not consider that he will have to give an account of all that he has done because he does not believe that God will finally stand as Judge. Where shall such a person appear? To ask the ques­tion is to answer it.

In the Hands of a Faithful Creator←⤒🔗

Many ques­tions filled the minds of the readers when they tried to understand the reason for all the afflictions which they had to endure. Peter has given them answers to their basic questions.

They must now see to it that they live according to the way he has shown them. Let their lives be beyond reproach. This is their duty and their calling. When the Lord then allows suffering to come to them, they are to entrust their souls, their lives, into the hand of a faithful Creator. Even though they may not be able to understand the reason for all these things, they must leave it with Him. He is in control and He has all power. He will, therefore, also give them the strength to bear all the afflictions which may come. If they would take matters into their own hands they might seek to wreak venge­ance. If they would seek to understand all the trials which they have to bear, they would run stuck. No, leave it in the hands of the faithful Creator where they amid all the things which may happen to them are safe.

Questions for Discussion:←⤒🔗

1. Do the ways of God often seem strange and un­just today?

2. What should our answer be to those who say: If God is a God of love how can He allow tragedies to happen?

3. How can we glory in suffering? Is this more than being patient?

4. Do all God's people have times of suffering? Why do some have so much more suffering in their lives than others?

5. How can we leave the various problems of life in the hands of God? Is there much comfort in this?