Ashamed; 1st Peter 4
From the heart of the pastor...
“If anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not feel
ashamed, but in that name let him glorify God” (I Pe.
4:16).
Peter exhibited a
volatile personality. When the Roman cohort came
upon Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, Peter drew
his sword and cut off the right ear of Malchus, the
servant of the high priest. Jesus chastised Peter
saying, “Put the sword into the sheath; the cup
which the Father has given Me, shall I not drink
it?” (Jn. 18:11).
When Jesus was arrested for declaring Himself God,
the soldiers led Him to the house of the high
priest. Peter, following at a distance, sat down at
a fire in the courtyard joining others who were
warming themselves. “A certain servant-girl, seeing
him as he sat in the firelight, and looking intently
at him, said, ‘This man was with Him too’” (Lk.
22:56). Peter denied even knowing Jesus. As a young
Christian, Peter had no appreciation for Christian
suffering and he was ashamed of his relationship
with Jesus.
Paul and Silas were imprisoned because they had been
preaching in Philippi. “But about midnight Paul and
Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to
God, and the prisoners were listening to them” (Acts
16:25). Why were the other prisoners listening to
Paul and Silas? Perhaps because they were
exhibiting joy in the midst of their suffering. Pain
is a powerful pulpit.
Could it be that when Christians suffer as
Christians should suffer, the glory of God is
proclaimed most effectively? Is it possible that
when you rebuke the world’s shame and accept the
suffering naturally accompanying righteousness, God
will be most honored and the name of Christ most
exalted?
Have you experienced Christian suffering? Perhaps
those who have never heard of the crucified Christ
will most effectively see Him in the way you address
suffering for righteousness. Tertullian, the third
century theologian, said, “The blood of the martyrs
is the seed of the church.” Your response to
persecution is God’s authenticator of the value of
Jesus Christ to a dying world. You are God’s chosen
vehicle. Your world is caught up in the theater of
the moment. Nevertheless, you have been especially
designed to marquee the character of Christ to a
society that has lost its awe of the God who is.
“Do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, or
of me His prisoner; but join with me in suffering
for the gospel according to the power of God” (II
Ti. 1:8).
Soli Deo Gloria!
