Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though something strange were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that at the revelation of His glory you may also rejoice and be overjoyed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory, and of God, rests upon you. Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name. For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner? Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God are to entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right. 1 Peter 4:12-19 NAS
Firey trials? Insults? Suffering? Judgment? This is something that isn’t presented in the marketing ‘tracts’ for the Christian life. How many begin to think, “This isn’t what is signed up for!”? And the institution of the Church has been under the microscope lately for all it’s ‘issues’. And rightly so – as Peter actually says judgment begins with us FIRST! If God is exposing the ‘sin’ in the camp AND in your own life – it’s because He loves us, and giving us the first chance for repentance and grace. The firey ordeals it seems are only increasing, just as continued refinement will be increased by more ‘heat’.
These ‘trials’ and challenges though can take a toll on our souls. Fear, discouragement, anxiety, depression, and sometimes even despair. These feelings and emotions are not sinful or because of a lack of faith, but because we live in a ‘fallen world’ that is increasingly spinning towards an ‘end’, and God’s enemies also hate us as well, and their ‘time’ is running out. Time seems to be speeding up. Things seem more compressed and difficult. We are still in the ‘human’ status and tossed ‘to and fro’ by corruption and evil. Our enemies seem to be getting bolder and no longer hide their allegiance to satan, evil, and openly display their hatred of God. Outright corruption is now made ‘legal’ by corrupt and evil leaders who think and act only with their … lust.
The corruption within the institution of the religious “Church” also is being exposed more and more. The entity we think of with the title of ‘Church’ needs to go back to the original design that Jesus gave us. A family of living stones. Living epistles of the gospel of Christ. NOT buildings or non-profits, or organizations – but ‘family’ bonded together by HIS blood. We don’t ‘go to church’ …we ARE the Church. Wherever two or three are gathered in His name… church is happening! This means even between a husband and a wife joining together in His name (Matthew 18:20) – it becomes a three-fold cord and ‘Church’ is happening right then. What better place is there to begin? Just begin planning purposely to get together with another brother or sister in the blood of Christ and prayer, and invite Him to be there with you.
So …let’s praise Him, knowing what actually ultimately awaits us! Listen to the Holy Spirit and the promises Jesus has made to us! Allow the Holy Spirit remind you what He has said to you. We are closer today than we ever have been before!
Father … YOU are in charge! Jesus … thank YOU! Holy Spirit have Your way in us. Lead the way – make our ‘paths straight’. Protect us as we go. You are our life and joy!