When Christians Suffer, by Pastor Ed Evans

Scripture: 1st Peter 4:12-19

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. ¹⁷ 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? ¹⁸ And “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?"  ¹⁹ Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

When I was a teenager in Seattle, Washington, we were always invited to Youth for Christ rallies on Saturday nights downtown near the wharfs and loading docks.  In the 1950s there were not a lot of great things for teens to do on Saturday nights, when there wasn't a high school football game, that didn't involve getting into trouble.  The green forests and blue water of the northwest Puget Sound didn't offer much excitement, but at the youth rallies there was always a lot of music, a big name Christian music star now and then, and it seemed all the prettiest girls went there.  In fact, it seemed like those who were Christian had the best lives, lived well, got the breaks in school, and never suffered.

However, once I became a Christian, I found that was just my perception.  I learned that Christians put their faith in God in tough times and just didn't talk a lot about suffering.  And for most of us, suffering is still an unpopular subject.  You have to admit, talking about salvation is more pleasant than suffering, just like heaven is more pleasant than heartache.

But let's be real here.  As evangelist Ravi Zacharias says, "Let my people think."  Suffering is a real part of life; something with which we all have to deal.

Every hospital we pass says that suffering is real.  Those sirens screaming in the night say suffering is real.  And not only physical but mental anguish is a big part of it.  People like Ann Landers and Dr. Phil have made their fortune listening to people and sharing advice about suffering.  In every city and state we have suicide prevention organizations and hot lines.

And just like the society we are part of, Christians also have trials, but as our scripture from 1st Peter points out, we should not think it strange that Christians have trials.  And yet just as we did as teenagers, on the outside looking in at the Christian life, some people still think salvation means no more trials, no more suffering.  But to think that is to misunderstand what the followers of Jesus Christ are up against in this world.  It's not an easy road to heaven.

There is no way we can avoid facing trials and sufferings, even as Christians, because we live in a fallen world.  We are part of a fallen race trying to make our way in a world of tornadoes and earthquakes, in a world where sin runs rampant  and greed brings violence.

Why is this?  Because of the power of Satan in this world.  We're not home yet.  Everyone in this fallen world is susceptible to the tricks and trials of Satan, but Christians especially are targeted.  Ephesians 6:11-12 not only tells us we have an adversary, but what to do about him: "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.   For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."

Followers of Almighty God, because God is truth, will quickly become aware of Satan on the job, as the Father of Lies.  The difference between God's plan and Satan's plots becomes obvious, and there is no need to be surprised by his attacks.

The fact is, Christians have trials because we are on a collision course with this world.  In John 15 we read why Jesus was despised and rejected, because His life was in opposition to the ways of this world.  So you can see that if those outside of God rejected the King of Glory, they're not going to cozy up to those who follow Him.  The followers of Jesus Christ have suffered down through the centuries; it's nothing new. 

But while it is true that just like those outside of Christ in this world, Christians also suffer, the trials of the Christian are different.  In the first place, those who belong to Christ do not suffer alone, but other Christian brothers and sisters stand with him.  The Christian also has the day of glory to look forward to, as described for us in Romans 8:18 where Paul put it into perspective: "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us."

For we can find joy even in jeopardy, just as we read in Acts 16:25, where a Philippian jailer and his entire household were brought to belief in Jesus Christ in the midst of tragedy.  We read, "About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them..."  And a group of strangers found Christ.  For even in a Christian's darkest hours He who loved us first is still working through us to accomplish the will of the father.

Then, of course, we cannot escape the fact that there are those times when even Christians bring suffering and calamity upon themselves, as verse 15 of today's scripture alludes: "But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler."  Belief in Jesus Christ will not save us from the consequences of our actions.  And lest we think that the threshold for such action must be at the level of murder, we need to pay attention to truths such as we find in 1st John 3:15, "Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him."  Even a busybody is a murderer, of people's reputations.  For loving one another is the law that underlies it all, pulling the claws from anger and hypocrisy, both of which only invite suffering.

For there are those who think they are looked down upon for their testimony, when it may be only because of their meanness.  Christians are not immune from engaging in habits and practices that bring on suffering, and such backsliding results in chastening from the Father who loves us.  Hebrews 12:6-7 reminds us, "For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and chastises every son whom He receives.  It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?"

So we come to the question of whether we are willing, as members of the family of God, to endure necessary suffering now for glory later.  And perhaps more importantly, are we willing and committed to making necessary life changes in order to avoid bringing suffering upon ourselves?  For in the end our purpose here is not merely to endure suffering, but we have a mission to share the love of God while, as the last verse of our scripture today tells us, "doing good."  Surely a life goal worthy of the family of God is that of giving back, sharing, allowing Jesus Christ to multiply far beyond our abilities that precious love He first shared with us on the cross at Calvary.  In the midst of His own hurt and suffering, He locked that love into you and i with the words, "It is finished."  He loved you then; He loves you now.  Amen.

Let us pray...

Father, hear our prayer on behalf of Your unfathomable love for us.  We praise You, Lord God, as in the midst of our own purposes and self-dreams we see yet Your hand at work in our lives, hear Your voice calling us home.  We pray, in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ, for those yet mired in the mud of their own plans and purposes and ask that they might recognize Your directions in their lives, become aware of Your love in the actions about them, and see Your purposes in providing for their rest.  May we reach out to one another with the loving hand of Jesus Christ to heal the broken hearted, lift up the fallen, bring freedom to those yet imprisoned by their own habits and desires.  May we love them, as You have loved us, and share in the trip home.  Thank You, Father.  Thank You.  Amen.