If Any Man Suffer as a Christian

2018-04-22

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: (13) But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. (14) If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. (15) But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters. (16) Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. (17) For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? (18) And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? (19) Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. (1 Peter 4:12-19)

In 1 Peter 4:16, we see the third and final use of the word “Christian” in the Bible. Let us see what the word of God says concerning the Christian.

  1. It is expected that we should suffer for the cause of Christ. Since the world so hated Christ, when we serve Christ in this life, we also will be hated. We should not think it a “strange thing.” 1 Peter 4:12
  2. We should rejoice when we suffer for Christ’s sake. We might especially think that this is a strange thing! But at His coming, we shall be glad, knowing that whatever suffering we have in this life pales in comparison with that glorious day. 1 Peter 4:13
  3. Being reproached for Christ’s sake is a way we glorify God. Glorifying God makes us happy, and suffering is one way we can glorify God. If we are living for God, and that causes someone to curse us and God, this brings God glory. 1 Peter 4:14
  4. We should suffer for Christ’s sake, and not because of sin. Because we still have the flesh, we can sin like anyone else, and if we do, we will have consequences. 1 Peter 4:15
  5. Suffering for Christ’s sake does not make us ashamed. We may feel ashamed when suffering, but we should not. It is all a part of the job as a Christian! 1 Peter 4:16
  6. We are responsible for what we do in this life. We do not often think that we will be judged, but we will. We will be a part of the first resurrection (“if it first begin at us”; cf. Revelation 20:6; Luke 14:14), and we will be rewarded for the things we did for Christ (1 Corinthians 3:12-15). Those who reject the Gospel will be a part of the second death. 1 Peter 4:17
  7. We are scarcely saved. Helpless before God, Jesus Christ rescued us from perishing. We had no part in our salvation. 1 Peter 4:18
  8. The unsaved have no hope. If we were barely saved, there is no hope for those who have rejected Christ. 1 Peter 4:18
  9. We must commit our lives to Christ. There is nothing in this life worth preserving, so we should not be afraid of the persecutor. They cannot add to or take away from what we have in Christ. We commit to well doing, and He is faithful to never leave us. 1 Peter 4:19

Previously, we saw that the Christian is a disciple that has forsaken everything to follow the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 11:26). We also saw how the Christian has a supernaturally changed life; once filled with wickedness, we are now driven to live a holy life in service to Christ (Acts 26:28). This final usage of the word Christian shows that the Christian is a life of suffering (1 Peter 4:16).

The Christian lives a life that is sold out for Christ. Everything else does not matter. Everything else is put aside. The Christian is patterned exactly after how Christ lived his life here on earth.