You’ve no doubt heard of “wine pairings,” but I’d like to suggest a “Scripture Pairing” for this section of 1 Peter. That would be Psalm 34. In verse eight of that Psalm, David advises us, “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.” So, how do you taste an orange? You must start by cutting and peeling it. How do you taste a cup of tea? You begin by putting that tea bag in boiling water. How is your faith in Christ proven? By obeying his commandments in times of trial and suffering.
As was mentioned when we began this epistle, Peter is writing to a group of converted Jews and former pagans who are now being rejected and persecuted – harmed financially, socially and physically – by their former friends and neighbors. The advice Peter is giving them is the same lesson he learned by walking with Jesus for the three and a half years of His earthly ministry. Despite betrayals, persecution, rejection by His brothers and hometown neighbors, Jesus faithfully and courageously obeyed His Father in Heaven and kept doing the works and speaking the words that God sent him to do. And as that last Passover and Calvary’s cross approached, “Jesus set his face to go up to Jerusalem.” (Luke 9:51)
In verse twelve, Peter tells these Christians, “do not be surprised” when bad stuff happens in response to you doing good stuff. I hope it won’t offend any of you when I point out that the “Prosperity Gospel” is an idolatrous lie from Satan. Remember that the devil tempted Jesus in the wilderness with three different versions of “name it and claim it,” but He didn’t buy it. We shouldn’t either, whether it is offered by a lying preacher or a lying politician.
But why would a loving and all powerful God allow His children to suffer? Because He is also a wise teacher and coach who knows that taking up our cross daily is the best and only way to grow in our relationship with Him. Peter also points out that if you are suffering because you are breaking the law, hurting your neighbor or putting your own privilege and comfort before the will of God, don’t expect any praise from God. We all reap what we sow – more than we sow, later than we sow and of the same kind as we sow. Anyone who is all wrapped up in themselves makes a pretty small package in God’s eyes.
In verse seventeen, Peter tells us that judgment begins at the house of God. We are the body of Christ. We have been bought at the cost of Christ’s shed blood. We are not our own. If we think we’ve joined a country club when we accept the crucified Jesus as our savior, think again. On the contrary, we have placed our feet on the upward path of Calvary. It is hard. It is long. It is designed to conform us to the image of Christ. And it is eternally worth it. Because Christ is with us every step of the way.
I will close with the words of one of those brothers who initially rejected Jesus in the flesh. In James 1:2-4, he says, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”