1 Peter - Following Jesus Sample

Being known as a Christian will sometimes bring us great suffering, But Peter wants his friends to ‘praise God’ (4:16).

• Why should they do that (v. 17)?

God’s timetable is right on track and this time of suffering for God’s people has a place in God’s plan. ‘… it is time’, Peter says. These sufferings have a purpose too. They are working ‘judgment’ on God’s own household.   

God is using these trials to sift out and destroy sin amongst his own people. This is not a judgment of condemnation but of purging and cleansing. We are to praise God that we are numbered amongst the holy people he is saving.

God’s prophets looked forward to the time when God would judge sin and end all evil. They said God would start by disciplining and refining his own people (see Mal. 3:1–4).

But this is only the beginning of God’s action again evil. A much worse time is coming for those who ‘do not obey the gospel of God’.

• What two questions does Peter ask his readers to help them reflect on this (vv. 17–18)?

Peter’s point is this: if God’s righteous people suffer now as he disciplines them, how much worse will it be for the ungodly when God turns his attention to them. Even the people God is saving experience hardships now. How much worse it will be on the last day for those who are heading for destruction.

• How does Peter want his friends to respond to all this (v. 19)?

When Jesus suffered unjustly, ‘he entrusted himself to him who judges justly’ (2:23). Jesus trusted God to punish those who were causing his suffering. Jesus did not give up doing what was right. Peter wants his suffering friends to respond as Jesus did. They too should commit themselves to God and continue to do good.

If ‘part one’ of God’s plan is happening now, we can be sure that ‘part two’ of God’s plan is coming down the track. God will judge and destroy all his enemies. Things are not out of control, however they may seem. This is God’s world; he is our faithful creator; we can rely on him to keep his promises.

God will save his people. So trust your way to him and press on!

Pray

Pray you would trust God and keep pressing on, and pray for those you know who do not yet obey the gospel of God.