Wednesday, October 14 –
We continue our reading and today come to the end of Peter’s
first letter. Our reading is from 1
Peter 4:7 – 5:14. Please read the passage and then come back that we might get
some more insights into what Peter is saying.
If there has been a consistent theme in Peter’s letter, it has been humility in
the face of ongoing suffering. It is not
that suffering humbles, although it does, it is that God allows the suffering
to take place in their lives. Peter,
Paul, James, John – the principal writers of New Testament scripture – all
believe that Jesus Christ is returning so that the sufferings and difficulties
need to be put in perspective. What I
mean by perspective is the difference between things “immediate”, and things
“ultimate”. The New Testament writers
see things from an “Ultimate” point of view.
What is happening in our immediate circumstances must not become larger
than the ultimate picture of Christ’s return and our heavenly home.
What this perspective means for the Christians Peter is
writing to is two things: First, in
4:8-11, he reminds them that when they think about Christ’s return, they can
live “coram deo” – daily before the face of God, which he says is
“self-controlled”, “sober-minded”, practicing their faith with love,
hospitality, service, and grace, so that in everything they do, it is for the
glory of God –
“The end of all things is at hand; therefore be
self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all,
keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.
Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has
received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied
grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves,
as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything
God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion
forever and ever. Amen” (4:7-11).
Secondly, in 4:12 – 19, when they think about Christ’s
return, they can live through the trials of suffering without complaining, but
in fact rejoicing, as ones who “share in Christ’s suffering”.
“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it
comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also
rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed (4:12-13).
Their suffering is for the sake of the Gospel, not because
they have broken the law. Anyone who
suffers from breaking the law is incurring their own guilt, but when their
suffering is caused by their faith in Christ, that is not shameful but gives
glory to God.
“If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are
blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let
none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler.
Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him
glorify God in that name. For it is time for judgment to begin at the
household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those
who do not obey the gospel of God? And “If the righteous is scarcely saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” (4:14-18).
We don’t know for certain the various trials, but the lists
of sins: murder, thief, followed by
evildoer, meddler. The first two are
extreme, the second relates to social evils.
These were charges brought against Christians by Roman authorities –
often baseless, and without evidence.
Peter says, if they are not true, you have nothing to be ashamed about;
but, if they are true, then it’s perfectly acceptable to believe God is behind
the judgment (look back at Romans 2:9).
The last sentence is a quote from Proverbs 11:31, emphasizing that while
the righteous are to be judged, it is nothing to be compared to those who face
God’s judgments as an ungodly and unredeemed sinner. He ends chapter 4 with this principle – if
suffering is going to happen, make sure it is according to the will of God –
“Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will
entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good” (4:19).
I cannot help but think of the thousands upon thousands of
Christians, especially Pastors, who daily undergo persecution for their faith
in places like China, North Korea, Iran, and other middle easter countries, and
many other places far-flung from here.
Open Doors is a Christian agency that tracks Christian oppression. The numbers are staggering: 260 million, almost the size of the U.S. face
everything from violence, imprisonment, confiscation of property, family
separation, as well as rape and murder.
It is increasing instead of decreasing.
Almost 3000 Christians in 50 countries around the world were murdered,
3711 detained, arrested, imprisoned without trial. Church buildings are also attacked, sometimes
burned down. [1]
We, who enjoy the freedom of our faith,
need to think about that.
The end of his letter is a reminder to the Pastors of the
church (5:1-4), to the church’s members to live out their faith in humility
(5:5-7), and a plea to “stand firm” in the face of opposition (5:8-14).
“So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and
a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that
is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you,
exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have
you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in
your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd
appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory” (5:1-4).
The church’s leaders, the “elders” (5:1), (from the Greek
word, “presbyteros”) pertains to their responsibilities – first, to
“shepherd the flock God has given them” (5:2), from the Greek word “poimaino”
(poy mi no), as a shepherd who tends the flock with feed and water, while
watching out for things that would attack them.
Secondly, they “exercise oversight”, (from the Greek word, “episkopeo”),
to oversee and make sure everything is being led for the sake of the flock, and
for the glory of God. Peter adds three
traits of good leaders of exercising oversight, pastoring the church, in the
form of three negatives and three positives: “Not under compulsion, but
voluntarily… Not for financial gain, but with eagerness… and Not lording over
the flock…but by being examples to the flock.” Good leaders are not born, they are made through
their relationship with Jesus Christ.
As result, Peter reminds the members – he calls them “the
younger” (5:5), to honor their leaders and learn through humility, because
“God gives grace to the humble…and at the right time God will reward that
also” (5:5b – 6). Then, in a series
of rapid-fire exhortations, Peter reminds them to be alert, trust in God for
all things, be aware that the enemy of God is wanting to destroy their
effectiveness, and that even in suffering, they can stand by faith,
victoriously in God’s eternal plans.
“casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for
you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around
like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your
faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your
brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while,
the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will
himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the
dominion forever and ever. Amen” (5:7-11).
Peter ends his letter with greetings from Silvanus, Mark,
and “she who is Babylon, sends you greetings” (5:13). We see Peter is in Rome, and quite
possibly, along with Paul, imprisoned, but the church in Rome is very much with
them and encouraging them in their own suffering.
Peter’s first letter is a glimpse into a life that has
matured, grown, and become filled with the hope of the Gospel. He has no illusions about what it means to
live faithfully as a Christian in the first-century church.
“…I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring
that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it…Greet one another with the
kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ” (5:12,14)).
He knows that there
are many ups and downs and that living as a pilgrim, a sojourner, is how we
keep living in hope – the hope that is rooted in faith in Jesus Christ. In Christ, Peter knows there is true
fellowship and peace. Peter has his eyes
on Christ Jesus and knows that soon he will see the one who called him to his
role as an Apostle, a Messenger of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Peace
[1]
The 2020 report from Open Doors can be seen online at: https://cms.frontpagemag.com/fpm/2020/01/anti-christian-oppression-around-world-jack-kerwick
Comments