Lesson 68
Study of
First Peter Chapter 4
4:12-13
Exhortation to steadfastness as the tests and pressures of life
are faced
This paragraph exhorts and instructs Christians
concerning the inner response that we should have to suffering.
Peter is calling for steadfastness on the part of
his readers as they encountered persecution and tests in their lives as
believers.
His use of present imperatives calls for a
resolute inner attitude of steadfastness and joy as they worked through those
experiences. Saw the same kind of
exhortation in James 1:2-4.
The conclusion that must be made is that state
action is not referred to at all here!
Three observations support that conclusion:
(1) The writer never speaks of
the death of Christians, but of their sufferings; though very painful they were
not resulting in death as the state persecutions had.
(2) The accusations mentioned
are slander and reproach for living out the faith, but there is no word of
intervention by the state.
(3) 5:9 asserts that the
same sufferings were shared by other believers everywhere.
Our thinking, specifically our
attitude as we face suffering and tests will determine whether we are
successful in dealing with them or not. His point here is that steadfastness to the
truth of the Word known is what is needed.
Beloved, do not be surprised
at the fiery ordeal among you,
Peter is categorically prohibiting a wrong
response. Know this by his use of the
present imperative plus the negative!
The present imperative with
the negative (mh. xeni,zw) forbids the continued
reaction, a natural one to most, to regard the experience as something strange
or alien to the Christian life.
Remember Jesus said that If they
persecuted Me, they will also persecute you! John 15:20
at the fiery ordeal among you (pu,rwsij) lit. among you a process of
burning which speaks of the undeserved suffering that these believers are
experiencing
-
remember that UNDSF is a part of the refining process to clear away the dross
of human viewpoint to test whether we are indeed going to trust Him in that
test. (1:6-7)
The key word in the first
phrase is testing
(peirasmo,j) this word is often translated temptation.
The thrust of the word is to
test to discover whether there is good / evil or strength or weakness is in a
person or a thing.
Basically the test or UNDSF
is designed to evaluate our thinking, do we have DVPT and are we going to use it in this
situation whatever it is. Are we going to trust God!
as though
some strange thing were happening to you
As believers we will face
various trials and tests or as I often refer to them as CHP's and how we deal
with them says volumes about where we're at spiritually.
What we must remember that
there is a purpose for these tests in life, God is not making a mistake by
allowing these things to occur to us.
4:12 Beloved,
stop being surprised at the refining fire (UNDSF) among you which comes
upon you for the purpose of testing you (advantage) as though some
strange thing was happening to you.
Some
Observations
1. God in His faithfulness provides the means of enduring,
the patient endurance, the means of handling the tests/circ that are sure to
come. 1 Cor
- The
provision, DOA's are always by a grace means.
2. Since the
provision is by grace, the implication then is that facing and passing these
tests has nothing to do with our background, genetics - lineage, academics -
education/training, natural skills/abilities but is totally related to the
content of your soul and your use of it as you deal with the circumstances you
face.
3. At some point we must learn that human resources are
totally inadequate to handle the tests of life. (seduction
of sin nature is that they are)
4. Every test is an opportunity to apply BD and produce
divine good which will be rewarded at the JSC.
But" (avlla,) marks a sharp contrast
between the wrong attitude that Peter censured in vs:12
and the attitude he enjoined here in verse 13.
to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep
on rejoicing,
to the degree that (kaqo,) adverb of
degree or extent - in so far as, in the measure that" -
tells us that not all the readers had been called to suffer as Christians to
the same extent.
you share is the verb (koinwne,w) (pres act
the sufferings of Christ
- He endured UNDSF as the object of the world's
hatred.
Sharing His suffering falls into 2 categories 1st
is related to positional truth.
Secondly in time, f2,
Believers will also experience UNDSF to different degrees, there are a number
of factors that enter into this, spiritual maturity and genetics are two major
ones.
Prin: UNDSF is designed to stimulate the application of truth
and therefore growth.
We need to remember that the
Lord knows what He's doing when we utilize the grace resources it demonstrates
once again the His grace is sufficient for any all situations.
But to the degree that you
share in the sufferings of Christ,
Rabbit
trail Phil 3:10
The emphasis now shifts to Ph-2 our life as a
believer.
"that I may know Him" > ginwskw (aor pass inf) inf expresses purpose
- It is Paul's stated purpose to know
Christ as it should be for every believer.
- ?? is what does
knowing, ginwskw, emphasize.