A Fiery Trial?

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Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-16

12 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. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.

 

Meditation:

            Does anybody know you are a Christian besides your immediate family? Could someone tell that you were a Christian by the way you live your life? Would anyone be able to mock you for your faith? These are all important questions. If we are to be true Christ-Followers we must be able to answer them in the affirmative.

            We know that it is easier to go along to get along as the saying goes. But we must remember that Jesus suffered greatly for our sins. And even in this time believers in particularly in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East suffer greatly for their faith. Why should we be afraid?

            We know that in Jesus we have found the way to forgiveness, grace, to cover a million sins. Why would you not want to share that with your neighbor? It is true that some people may not take kindly to us sharing our faith with them. But that fact shouldn’t stop us from trying.

            But the fact is you probably are not going through anything like the fiery trial that Peter’s readers were undergoing. Our church buildings won’t be burnt to the ground like our brothers and sisters in Egypt and Pakistan have been. Whatever trial we do endure for the sake of the gospel, as Peter says, should make us glorify God. 

            Who knows what the future holds for our religious freedoms here in this country. Those of us who name Jesus Christ as Lord must be prepared to defend what have historically been our rights as citizens of this country. If we lose those freedoms by some device of Satan we must be willing to resist our government peacefully and non-violently by practicing our faith daily.

 

Prayer:
            Holy God in Heaven, hear our prayer today. We pray that you will send your Holy Spirit to the aid of those around the world who are this day persecuted for their faith. We ask you to help us hold on to the freedoms we enjoy here in this country. Strengthen us for the times of trial that our coming and indeed are already here. Help us to live by the words of today’s scripture. In Jesus name, Amen.

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