1 Peter 4:12-19 (TPT) Suffering and Glory
12 Beloved friends, if life gets extremely difficult, with many tests [fiery trials], don’t be bewildered as though something strange were overwhelming you [because these things are your communion in the inheritance]. 13 Instead, continue to rejoice, for you, in a measure, have shared in the sufferings of the Anointed One so that you can share in the revelation of his glory and celebrate with even greater gladness! [after we pass through the suffering]. 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are greatly blessed, because the Spirit of glory and power, who is the Spirit of God, rests upon you.
15 Let none of you merit suffering as a murderer, or thief, or criminal, or as one who meddles in the affairs of others. 16 If you suffer for being a Christian, don’t consider it a disgrace but a privilege. Glorify God because you carry the Anointed One’s name. 17 For the time is ripe for judgment to begin in God’s own household. And if it starts with us, what will be the fate of those who refuse to obey the gospel of God?
18 And:
If the righteous are barely saved,[harvested to salvation]
what will become of the wicked and godless?
19 So then, those who suffer for following God’s will should enfold their lives into the Creator, who will never fail them, and continue to always do what is right.
In our passage today, Peter wants us to look at tests and trials as proof of our connection to Christ; we are experiencing the sufferings we share in our communion with him. We carry his name AND his anointing. When we suffer for living righteously in Christ’s love, we glorify God ‘in’ our suffering as opposed to glorifying God ‘for’ our suffering; these are two very different prepositions. God uses these times of suffering not to punish us but to refine and purify us; to bring us into his glory which should lead us to rejoice. God’s glory has the supernatural power to transform us into the image of his Son. We must never forget our Creator is faithful and he will always supply the grace we need each day as we grow and develop.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the privilege of bearing your name and sharing your anointing. Help me to look beyond times of testing and trials to see the transformation you are offering me in the Spirit. New Covenant power and glory awaits me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.