Holding on to Hope - 1 Peter 4: 15-19

Friday, May 28

But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

I continue to be amazed by the giant lessons tucked away in this tiny letter. I’m praying that Peter’s letter has been a positive study for your life over the past few weeks.

In our reading today, Peter began with a quick and confrontive message to Christ-followers. For the entire letter, he’s been attempting to encourage believers in the middle of persecution. He’s assured them that suffering is simply part of the Christian’s walk, because it was part of Christ’s. Then, in verse 15 of chapter 4, Peter paused to say, “make sure you’re not suffering from your own sin; murder (could be anger according to Jesus in the gospel of Matthew), evildoing, or meddling. I love this quote, “Let’s be sure we are suffering because we are Christians and not because we are criminals.” (Warren Weirsbe)

The tone of the next few verses is important. Essentially, Peter was asking those that belong to Christ to evaluate the suffering they’ve endured compared to the suffering that non-believers will endure, for eternity. Seemingly, Peter wanted Christ-followers to consider the truth that we may face persecution and suffering for a temporary time here, but our lost friends, family, and aquaintances will suffer for eternity. Honestly, I believe we’d react differently in our relationships if we really thought about the weight our interactions have in showing Christ to the world. Our actions and attitudes are so much more of a testimony than our words.

Just as times of suffering and fiery trials are excellent opportunities for God to refine us. They can also provide opportunity to be a loving witness to those who persecute us. So, what should we do? How should we live? Peter ended chapter 4 by encouraging readers to trust their souls to their faithful Creator. It may be difficult to do that in the middle of trial and persecution; but, my goodness, the world can’t help but notice when a child of God refuses to lash out or freak out in the middle of a mess because her trust isn’t any a single human being. Her trust is in her Creator.

I’m ending this week the same as I did last week, because we simply must hear Peter’s message for us from the Message Version (verse 19),

So if you find life difficult because you’re doing what God said, take it in stride. Trust Him. He knows what He’s doing, and He’ll keep doing it.

I’m asking you to consider where the hope is in this passage. I’m also asking you to think further as to how this passage encourages you to BE hope in your relationships, your family, and in your places of work.

Prayer: Jesus, You are our living hope! The more we read, the more we are challenged to seek You in all areas. Life is hard. Relationship is hard. But, allowing you to sanctify us in t he difficult so that we can carry Your light to a hurting and dying world is worth it. Thank you for allowing us to carry Your glory. Thank you for giving us hope no matter how messy this world gets.