How to Suffer as a Christian
by David Gibson
Since Christ calls us to suffer for Him (John 15:18-20; Acts 14:21-22; II Timothy 3:12), we do well to prepare ourselves spiritually and emotionally for this.
One of the best sources for equipping Christians for suffering is First Peter. Peter writes from personal experience, having already been imprisoned and beaten for his testimony. Eventually, he would give his life for Christ (John 21:18-19).
“According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope…to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you…. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (I Peter 1:3-7).
Here, Peter says:
- What we have to look forward to should fill us with joy, despite trials, as we anticipate our heavenly inheritance!
- Our trials are only “for a little while.” God promises a definite end to it.
- Suffering is a test of our faith, proving how genuine it is.
- When we pass this test, what glory awaits us when Jesus comes!
May what the Holy Spirit reveals here through Peter make us all the stronger for the challenges ahead!
Forms of Persecution
Persecution takes many forms, including expulsion from one’s family or social circles, loss of job, confiscation of property, imprisonment, torture, and death.
A common form of persecution is verbal—cursing, slander, mocking, etc. It’s impressive how often Peter addresses this:
- “Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation” (I Peter 2:12).
- “For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people” (I Peter 2:15).
- “. . . having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame” (I Peter 3:16).
- “For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead” (I Peter 4:3-5).
How others see us
Many unbelievers don’t know what to make of believers. Christians are so different, and that doesn’t sit well. So often, what unbelievers can’t comprehend, they condemn.
An old saying is, “The best defense is a good offense.” For the Christian, the best defense is a good conscience and good deeds. Unbelievers may not like us, but they can’t help but notice how we live (Matthew 5:14-16; Philippians 2:15; Titus 2:7-10; I Peter 3:1-2).
Good conduct can be a powerful mind-changer. That’s why we must always remember we are being watched. Others are observing how we talk, how we drive, how we treat others. We are walking advertisements for or against the faith.
How God sees us
Let’s close with Peter’s encouraging words: “If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you” (I Peter 4:14).
Did you ever have a boss who made your life miserable? In the following text, Peter addresses how a Christian slave should deal with an overbearing master, but the principles apply equally in the workplace.
With God in view
“Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God” (I Peter 2:18-21).
Twice, Peter says, “For this is a gracious thing,” meaning that God looks on us with special favor when we keep Him in view while undergoing unfair treatment. With this mindset, we can endure unfairness with an attitude that truly pleases God.
With Christ in view
Then, to make his point even stronger, Peter appeals to the noble example Jesus set for us when he was so vilely abused during the last hours of His life.
“For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly” (I Peter 2:22-23).
How did Jesus respond to the beatings, mockery, and torture?
- He refused to retaliate, and
- He “continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.”
He endured with God in view. And so can we.
The Christian has the advantage over the unbeliever. They may be working side by side for an unreasonable taskmaster, but the Christian has his faith to draw on, while following in the steps of Jesus, whose sufferings far exceeded anything we would ever be called on to endure. Having this perspective elevates our workplace to a high spiritual plane! Now, if we can just remember that the next time the boss comes looking for us.
There was a time when Peter did not understand how suffering is a prerequisite to glory. When Jesus first told His disciples He would die at the hands of the rulers, Peter reacted strongly. Jesus then had to put Peter in his place, explaining that anyone who follows Him must “deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:21-25).
By the time he wrote the letter we call First Peter, he understood not only the necessity of the cross in God’s plan for our salvation, but also that we, too, must suffer for Christ.
In the words of an old hymn,
“Must Jesus bear the cross alone,
And all the world go free?
No, there’s a cross for ev’ry one,
And there’s a cross for me.”
Called to suffer
In his letter, Peter alternates between the suffering Christians experience and the suffering Christ endured. Each of the five chapters deals with Christ’s sufferings and ours. In several passages, Peter links the two:
- “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps” (I Peter 2:21).
- “Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin” (I Peter 4:1).
- “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. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed” (I Peter 4:12-13).
Counted worthy to suffer
Peter and his fellow apostles were beaten for preaching Christ by order of the Sanhedrin. “Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name” (Acts 5:42).
Rejoicing that they had been counted worthy to suffer!
They understood. Oh, may we!
There is a wrong way and there is a right way to suffer for our faith.
The wrong way
Afraid
“Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled . . .” (I Peter 3:13-14).
Surprised
“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. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed” (I Peter 4:12-13).
Ashamed
“But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name” (I Peter 4:15-16).
The right way
- For righteousness’ sake (I Peter 3:14)
- For the name of Christ (I Peter 4:14)
- According to God’s will (I Peter 4:19)
Promises to those who suffer the right way
- “. . . you will be blessed” (I Peter 3:14; 4:14).
- “. . . the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you” (I Peter 4:14).
- “. . . you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed” (I Peter 4:13).
In his letter, Peter does us a great service by explaining what to expect, how to respond —and how not to —and why it’s all so very worthwhile. By keeping these truths in mind, we’ll be ready.
