Verse of the day: 1 Peter 4:12-13 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the
fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;
but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when
His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.
In John 15:18 Jesus said, “If the world hates you, you know that it hated
Me before it hated you”, and in verse 20 He said, “Remember the word that
I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted
Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours
also.” The Apostle Peter reminds us here that it is not a strange thing
to be persecuted for living the Christian life. Do we, as God’s children, who
know the Word, really expect it to be any different for us than it was for our
Lord? Why would it surprise us that the unsaved, and those that claim to be
Christians, but may not be born again, would lash out at us for doing what is
right or proclaiming God’s Word before them? We are called to be light in this
world (Mt 5:14-16), and when we live as light in this dark world, we will face
opposition because the darkness does not like the light. John 3:20 tells us, “For
everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest
his deeds should be exposed.” Jesus was the Light of the World, and the
end result of that was that they beat Him and crucified Him. Why would we not
expect people to mock us, and berate us, and try to silence us when we name the
Name of Jesus? The Apostle Peter tells us to rejoice when we are partakers in
Jesus’ sufferings. There is coming a day when He will reappear, and that will
be a glorious day for us. Sadly, many born again believers who compromised
their faith to avoid persecution will be greatly disappointed when they realize
how much reward was lost. In Matthew 5:11-12 Jesus said, “Blessed
are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against
you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your
reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Take what the Apostle Peter wrote in verse 16, “Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him
glorify God in this matter.” The bottom line is that if we are persecuted for
doing good and living for Christ, we have no reason to really be surprised by
this. I will close with what the Apostle
Peter told us in chapter 3, verses 13-17, And who is he
who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’
sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be
troubled.” 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and
always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you
a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; 16 having a good conscience, that when they defame
you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. 17 For it is better,
if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
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