An Intriguing Correlation Explained
There’s a piece of the Christian life I’m not sure I understand, but I’m sure it’s real, because the Bible says it over and over. That is, there is glory in suffering/dying for Christ. There’s honor, magnificence, excellence and dignity. How could something so personally painful as persecution be all that?
Could it be because Christ’s suffering and death brought glory to God? (That brings us back to our 1 Peter theme, “be ye holy, for I am holy.”) Whatever Christ was, we are to be. If He suffered for his holiness and brought glory to God, we will too.
Some form of the words suffer and glory are used together in 11 verses in the Bible, and six of them are in 1 Peter. Here are some clues about Christ’s suffering and its relation to glory:
But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. (Heb 2:9-10)
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. (Rom 8:17-18)
So, there will be glory later for suffering for Christ, but is there glory right now when we suffer persecution as Christians? Yes, now and later. Here’s our 1 Peter passage for today, which is all about suffering and the resulting glory. You’ll see the distinct connection, which I think is so intriguing. I’ll highlight the glory/glorified verses, but on your own, notice its connection to suffering, trials and hardship for Christ’s sake.
1Pe 4:12-19 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: (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. (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. (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. (16) Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. (17) 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? (18) And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? (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.
In our culture and time, we see trials and suffering for Christ as danger to be avoided or protected from. We pray suffering away. But Peter tells us to rejoice in suffering for Christ. Be happy. Glorify God for it. Peter actually had some unusual insight into this from the lips of Jesus. After Christ rose again and before He ascended to heaven, He had a cryptic message just for Peter, and Peter got it. Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me. (John 21:18-19)
Jesus’ words obviously had an impact on Peter, and he passed that on to us by inspiration of God. It’s something to keep in mind when suffering for Christ arises.