"What's going on here?" may have been the question on the lips of the Christians to whom Peter wrote as they suffered for their faith. They had probably believed that coming to Christ would solve their problems, but after becoming Christians they had experienced even more problems than before.

As he draws toward the conclusion of his letter, Peter helps his readers put things into perspective. They shouldn't have been surprised at what was happening to them. They were merely participating in the sufferings of Christ. Since Christ had suffered, his followers could expect no less. They carried the Spirit and name of Christ; as a result, people of the world would abuse them just as they had abused Christ.

Actually, these believers should have rejoiced at being called to share in the sufferings of Christ. Suffering in the name of Jesus means that you are on the right track with God. As Jesus was glorified after his sufferings, they would be too. Although suffering is difficult to go through at the time, it is nothing to be ashamed of.

Judgment is bearing down upon us, Peter says. You may be hurting some now, but imagine the suffering that awaits those who do not obey the gospel. Peter borrows the phrases of Proverbs 11:31 to say that if those who pursue righteousness escape this world by the skin of their teeth, then ungodly and sinful people don't have a chance. Your suffering, he assures them, is not a reason to complain but a reason to be grateful.

Peter's audience were not to leave the will of God just because they were suffering. Whatever we experience, we must commit ourselves to God and keep on doing good. God is faithful, so we must be faithful to him.

1. Why does the way of Christ involve suffering (4:13)?

 

2. How have you been insulted because you wear the name of Christ (4:14)?

 

3. How easy is it for you to rejoice and be thankful when you suffer for your faith (4:13-14)?

 

4. Peter says that Christians should not go looking for trouble, nor should they consider suffering for doing wrong to be a blessing (4:15). What kind of suffering might a Christian bring upon himself or herself that does not honor Christ?

 

5. The term "Christian" is used only three times in the New Testament (Acts 11:25 and 26:28, and 1 Peter 4:16). It could well be that its earliest use in the first century was as a putdown by unbelievers. In the New Testament, followers of Jesus are more commonly called brothers (the word is used 343 times in the New Testament), disciples (262 times), and saints (233 times, although not all occurrences of these words refer to followers of Jesus). What might we have lost by describing followers of Jesus with a word that the New Testament does not emphasize, and by using much less frequently the terms that the New Testament does use?

 

6. Why is it hard for the righteous to be saved (4:18)?

 

7. Peter has said that God judges justly (2:23) and is the faithful Creator (4:19). How does it help you to know that God is reliable and will always do the right thing? What causes us to doubt this at times?