Christian Suffering! Part Four.

First Peter chapter 4 verses 12 through 19:

Suffering should not seem strange or cause us to be offended, verse 12:

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you.

Suffering should cause us to rejoice because it identifies us with Christ, verse 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.

Suffering can result in happiness because of the presence of the Spirit and the fact that God is glorified, verse 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.

Suffering should not be experienced by us because of sinful involvement, verse 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.

Suffering as a Christian is nothing to be ashamed of, verse 16:

Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

Suffering shows how we stand with the Lord, verses 17 and 18:

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? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

Suffering does not stop us from doing good, neither does it stop God from being faithful, verse 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.