- Suffering gives chastening to carnal believers: (4:15, 17-18): Peter says it is shameful if we suffer for our own crimes. Sometimes suffering is due to our own problems, then it is better to take wise counsel and determine the root cause of suffering. God often allows believers to sin and then experience the consequences. He does this for several reasons:
- To show us our potential for sinning.
- To encourage us to turn from sin and more constantly depend on Him.
- To prepare us to face other, even stronger temptations in the future and
- To help us to stay faithful and keep on trusting Him.
If believers need earthly discipline from God, how much more will unbelievers receive it? It is hard for the righteous to be saved but for the mercies of God. This clearly shows that there is no chance of saving if any one rejects Christ in this earth.
The privilege of suffering: (4:12-14, 16):
Peter says that all believers would be subjected to suffering. It cannot be taken as a strange thing. The believers are going to have a pain trail in the days to come. However, the verse could also be aptly applied to the historical reality of the Nero’s persecution. Christians were blamed for the burning of Rome. Some were covered with pitch and used as living torches to light the imperial gardens at night. Peter may have felt that provincial officials would continue to burn Christians in Asia Minor. Such persecution should not take the Christians by surprise as though something strange. Again Peter reiterates (Matt.5:11) “Blessed are those when people insult you and falsely say all kinds of evil for the sake of Christ.” The Lord will send the Holy Spirit to strengthen those who are persecuted for their faith. Peter gives encouragement to all believers, if one suffers as a Christian for his faith, he need not be ashamed because such persecution was a mark of God’s approval of their work. Every believer must continue to remain faithful God regardless of the suffering. To suffer for Christ means to share Christ’s past grief and the future glory too.
The Patience in suffering: (4:19)
Believers could be sure that they were being called on to suffer according to God’s will if, they were suffering solely because they bore Christ’s name. Peter encouraged suffering saints to endure through the exercise of Christ like faith. Just as Christ trusted Himself to His Father who judges justly, so should believers entrust themselves to our faithful Creator and continue to do good. In other words we are to commit ourselves to God and continue to do good in this world.