Title Suffering through Christ
Contents
Hymn: No. 342 (New Hymn No. 543) 'When you are in trouble'
Meditation: The text speaks of the blessings that suffering comes to those who want to follow Christ, and suggests that the saints are victorious through hope and perseverance in the midst of suffering.
Confession of Faith: Apostles' Creed
main text: '… Beloved, do not be surprised by the fire test that comes to refine you, as if something strange happened to you. ' (1 Peter 4:12-19)
Some people think that when they believe in Jesus Christ, suffering or tribulation will go away from their lives. However, we find that there are many hardships and trials in the course of the Christian life. If these sufferings are due to one's own faults, they are of no benefit (1 Peter 2:20). Verse 12 says, “Do not consider the fiery trial that comes to try you as something strange.” Why shouldn't we be surprised?
First, because it is natural for Christians to suffer. When you accept Christ, your identity will change first. Because of sin, man had the status of being a child of Satan and a son of disobedience (Ephesians 2:1-5).
But through faith in Jesus Christ, we received the authority to become children of God (John 1:12) and became a new person (2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 4:22-24). That is why Satan is like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8).
Second, because the sufferings a Christian suffers are partakers of the sufferings of Christ. To believe in Jesus means to become one with Jesus.
Verse 14 says, “If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory, the Spirit of God, rests on you.”
Verse 13 says, “Rejoice in your sharing in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may rejoice and rejoice in His glory.” This means that those who share in the sufferings of Christ will rejoice that they will be exempted from judgment on the day of judgment of Christ.
When the day of the Lord comes, those who have done good will experience a resurrection of life, and those who have done evil will experience a resurrection of judgment (John 5:29). Therefore, we must look to the glory of that day and overcome today's suffering for Christ. When Christians encounter hardship, they should not think it strange, but take it for granted and win while looking at the glory of the Lord.
Prayer: God, help us overcome our sufferings by looking at your sufferings and the glory of that day. I pray in Jesus name.
Lord's Prayer