Today you should read: 1 Peter 4:12-19
Expectations are everything. They define how we react to everything in our life. One of the things Christians must realize is that our expectations will either be set by the Bible or by the world. Peter is attempting to help us set our expectations in a gospel-centered way.
He actually wants us to rejoice in our sufferings! In this context, suffering means suffering because of our association with Christ. “But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.” (ESV)
The point of suffering for the sake of Christ is to be reminded of God’s sufficiency in all things in our lives. Suffering for the sake of Christ might not be a reality for you right now, but that does not mean that you will always be immune from this type of suffering. How are you making God supreme in your life right now so that when suffering does come, you are prepared?
By: Graham Withers — Pastoral Ministry Associate
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