The Letters Of A Changed Man: A Study Of 1st And 2nd Peter. Day 14, Our Faithful Creator

The Apostle Peter has experienced various forms of persecution already. He remembers how opposition broke out against the growing church in Jerusalem, causing many of the believers to scatter to other regions where they preached the gospel. (Acts 8:1-8) In the day in which he is writing this letter, Peter is aware of prejudice and discrimination against Christians in certain areas of the Roman Empire. He may not yet know that the Emperor Nero is developing an intense hatred for those who follow Christ, but the Lord Jesus told Peter he would someday give his life for the faith. (John 21:18) History tells us he was crucified during the reign of Emperor Nero, that madman who was as much of an enemy to the Christians as Adolf Hitler was to the Jews.

Peter knows bad times are coming, so he tells his readers how to conduct their lives in a fallen world, "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen." (1 Peter 4:8-11) Love seems to be lacking these days when I listen to the news. For the past couple of years it seems like election season has brought out the worst in people who don't know the Lord (and even in some people who do know Him). Some of the rhetoric is quite frightening. In my opinion it isn't any of our leaders who are causing division among our citizens; it's the citizens themselves who are causing division. The reason I believe this is because it is a personal choice whether to love or hate. The Lord tells us to choose love, for "Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law." (Romans 13:10)

The political climate of Peter's day is becoming quite frightening. He encourages his readers, "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you." (1 Peter 4:12) Satan has tried from the beginning to derail God's plans for mankind. Satan hates God and attempts to undermine everything God does, and his main focus is on us because we are the crowning glory of God's creation---made in His own image. Eve had hardly gotten moved into Eden before Satan was busy leading her astray, and he has been busy leading people astray ever since. So Peter says, "Don't be surprised when you face opposition for following the Lord. Being faithful to the Lord is the last thing the devil wants for you. He will try to make you give up and quit. The unbelieving world hates you because it hates Christ, and just as the world persecuted Him, it persecutes His people."

I once heard Dr. Charles Stanley say on his radio program, "If the devil isn't bothering you, you aren't bothering him." Peter says something similar next. The fact that the Lord's people are facing opposition is the proof that they are living right. If they weren't following Christ as they should be following Him, no one would notice or care. "But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you." (1 Peter 4:13)

As we said earlier in the week, suffering is inevitable in this Fallen world. Since we can't escape it, our suffering should be for doing right instead of for doing wrong. "If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. For it is time for judgment to begin with God's household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And, 'If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?'" (1 Peter 4:15-18) Peter quotes the words of King Solomon from Proverbs 11:31. Solomon knew that hardship could either bring out the best or the worst in people. Persecution has always strengthened the church because it strengthens the faith of Christians. But hard times have destroyed many a faithless person. Peter points out that the trials of this world prove who we are. To God's people trials are like fire that purifies gold, but to God's enemies trials only magnify their faithlessness.

"So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good." (1 Peter 4:19) King David said to the Lord, "To the faithful You show Yourself faithful." (Psalm 18:25) God will be faithful to carry us through anything we must endure in this world. He is with us in the good times and in the bad times. Peter's own life and death are an example of this, for Peter was once a man so afraid for his life that he denied knowing Jesus, but God will give him the strength to die for the name of the One he once denied.

I don't know what forms of persecution we may have to face. We may only be ridiculed or excluded from things we'd like to be included in. We may be verbally attacked for our beliefs. We may even be physically attacked. The tide in the United States seems to be turning against those who hold to Biblical values and it could be that we will lose some of our rights to practice our faith. I don't know what may come against us, but our Creator is faithful. He will give us the grace to face anything, just as He gave apostles like Peter and Paul the grace to face anything, and just like He gave grace to His own Son to complete His mission on earth.