Day 301: 1 Peter

When you read this letter written by Peter it's hard to understand how so many people today have distorted the message of Christ into a "health & wealth" gospel. Peter does indeed recognize the glorious inheritance that is ours as a Christ-follower but he also makes it clear that it's not now:

This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. (1 Peter 1:4-6)

In fact, he seems to indicate that suffering, not prosperity, is to be expected when you follow Christ...

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. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. (1 Peter 4:12-13)

He also tells us how to endure...

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:6-7)

But, in the mean time, don't forget that while we're here we have a mission to carry out...

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9)

Even when we're in the midst of suffering...maybe even especially when we're in the midst of suffering...we have a responsibility to...

Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. (1 Peter 2:12)

1 Peter 3:15&16 is a very well known passage of scripture. It's often used in apologetics classes, or evangelism workshops. And it's very appropriate there. It's important that we're "prepared to give an answer" to anyone who may ask us about our faith.

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. (1 Peter 3:15-16)

However, I'm afraid that we often neglect the other part of that verse. I'm referring to the part that says we're to do so with "gentleness and respect." Too often I'm afraid we're more concerned with winning an argument than with introducing a person to Christ.

If 2011 has been a tough year for you, take heart. Better days are ahead. But even if those better days don't come in 2012...even if they don't come until "the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time"...those days will be so much better that the present suffering doesn't even compare. So, hang in there. Or, in Peter's words:

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)