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  • Entrusting in Suffering (1 Peter 4:12-19)

    “Why?” It is a question we ask not when things are going well, but when things are not working in our favor. When people face hardships, the immediate response is not usually positive. What about when somebody faces suffering for unjust reasons, specifically because they are a Christian? They may find themselves questioning why they are receiving this distress. They may be surprised by it. However, as followers of Jesus Christ, we are not. The Apostle Peter echoes the words of his Master when he says, “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” (4:12). In other words, Christians should expect suffering. They should expect suffering as a Christian (4:16). Not only should Christians expect suffering, they should rejoice in the midst of their suffering. Such rejoicing does not mean we rejoice for suffering’s sake. Rather, we rejoice because this type of suffering will give us the opportunity to share in Christ’s sufferings (4:13). We will grow in our Christlikeness, will draw closer in our fellowship with Christ, and God will be glorified. As ones who rejoice in suffering for the cause of Christ, we are blessed when we are insulted for the name of Christ (4:14). We preach the message of God’s grace and the hope of the gospel, but not everybody wants to hear that. So, they will insult and ridicule. The response of the Christian is not to speak words of condemnation back nor to seek revenge. The response of the Christian is to glorify God and to entrust themselves to Him (4:16, 19). God is the One who is sovereign, and He will work all things out for His purposes (4:17-18). With that knowledge of God, the Christian can trust in the Lord. They can suffer as “those who suffer according to God’s will”. How do they suffer according to God’s will? By entrusting their souls to a faithful Creator and God while they themselves go about doing good. They entrust themselves to God because they realize God has entrusted them with their very lives. Christians understand they are stewards of what God has entrusted to them. That is why they entrust themselves to God in suffering. That is why they do good in the midst of suffering. Instead of staying in the posture of asking questions, may we pay attention to Peter’s words and remember that Jesus Christ died for our sins so that we may have life in Christ. When we repent of our sins and believe in Jesus, we realize we are not our own. We realize God owns us, grows us, and shows us how to be Christlike. This happens supremely through suffering (2:18-25). So rejoice in the fact suffering allows you to share in Christ’s suffering, understanding you will be blessed if you are insulted for the name of Christ, all as you entrust your life to God in the midst of suffering.

  • Manteniendo la Meta Final a la Vista (1 Pedro 4:7-11)

    Rick y Dick Hoyt fueron un dúo de padre e hijo que compitió en más de 1,000 carreras juntos a lo largo de cuarenta años. Rick nació con parálisis cerebral y fue cuadripléjico toda su vida, pudiendo comunicarse solo por medio de una computadora especial. Cuando era joven le dijo a su padre que quería correr para ayudar a un amigo discapacitado. Así comenzó el recorrido que inspiró a miles de personas. Dick desarrolló un asiento especial para que su hijo pudiera ir en cada carrera. El padre empujó a su hijo hacia la victoria para hacerlo sentir libre de su discapacidad. Un ejemplo asombroso de dedicación, resiliencia y del vínculo inquebrantable entre padre e hijo, el Equipo Hoyt abrió camino para que otros corredores discapacitados tuvieran el valor de competir (https://teamhoyt.com/about-us).

    Esta historia real nos lleva a una realidad paralela en la vida cristiana: Dios el Padre nos impulsa, a nosotros, rebeldes pecadores, impotentes y sin esperanza, hasta la línea final del cielo. Dependemos completamente de Él para soportar las dificultades de la vida. Nuestro Señor y Salvador nos salvó por su gracia para llevarnos a una relación correcta con el Dios trino. Él va detrás de nosotros, delante de nosotros, dentro de nosotros y a nuestro lado con el fin de llevarnos a casa a la gloria. El cielo espera a los santos fieles que perseveran hasta el fin. Y es el regreso de Cristo lo que motiva cómo vivimos aquí y ahora.

    El apóstol Pedro anima a los santos que sufren con este fin en 1 Pedro 4:7-11. Les dice que mantengan la línea de meta en mente. Escribe: “El fin de todas las cosas se acerca” y continúa con una serie de mandamientos. Deben ser prudentes, estar sobrios, amarse unos a otros profundamente, mostrar hospitalidad, servir a los creyentes con amor, usar sus dones para edificar la iglesia, hablar la verdad de Dios y servir con la fuerza de Dios (vv. 7-11). Todos estos mandamientos deben hacerse para la gloria de Dios por medio de Jesucristo (v. 11). Hay una hermosa joya escondida en este pasaje que lo llena de vida. Nosotros, como creyentes, somos “administradores de la multiforme gracia de Dios” (v. 10). La gracia de Dios es un diamante resplandeciente en el cofre del tesoro de la obra redentora de Dios. Su gracia es multifacética e inagotable en esplendor. Él es el Dios de gracia que reparte gracia a sus hijos amados. Además, gracias a Cristo pertenecemos a Dios el Padre y estamos llenos del Espíritu Santo. Así como Dick Hoyt impulsó a su hijo hacia la victoria, nuestro Padre celestial nos impulsa hacia la línea final de la eternidad. Hasta el regreso de nuestro Salvador, lo aguardamos con grande expectación. Debemos vivir vidas santas para darle gran gozo. Librados de su juicio, cada creyente debe vivir con enorme gratitud y humilde devoción como administradores de la asombrosa gracia de Dios.

    Preguntas de Aplicación:

    1. ¿Cómo puedes animar a tus hermanos en la fe a vivir para Jesús, esperando su regreso inminente?
    2. ¿Qué áreas de tu vida necesitan cambiar para dar gozo a tu Salvador y escuchar las palabras: “Bien hecho, siervo bueno y fiel… Entra en el gozo de tu señor” (Mat. 25:21)?

  • Keeping the Finish Line in Sight (1 Peter 4:7-11)

    Rick and Dick Hoyt were a father-son duo that raced in over 1,000 competitions together over the course of forty years. Rick was born with cerebral palsy and was a quadriplegic his entire life, only able to communicate via a special computer. When he was a young man he told his father he wanted to race in order to help a disabled friend. That began the journey that inspired thousands of people. Dick developed a special seat for his son to ride in during each race. The father pushed his son to victory in order to make him feel free from his disability. An amazing example of dedication, resilience and the unbreakable bond between father and son, Team Hoyt paved the way for other disabled racers to have the courage to compete (https://teamhoyt.com/about-us).

    This real life story brings us to a parallel reality in the Christian life: God the Father pushes us, as helpless, hopeless, sinful rebels to the finish life of heaven. We are completely dependent upon him to endure the hardships of life. Our Lord and Savior saved us by his grace to bring us into right relationship with the triune God. He lies behind us, before us, within us, and beside us in order to carry us home to glory. Heaven awaits faithful saints who endure till the end. And it is the return of Christ which motivates how we live here and now. 

    The apostle Peter urges suffering saints to this end in 1 Peter 4:7-11. He tells them to keep the finish line in mind. He writes, “The end of all things is at hand” and follows with a series of commands. They are to be self-controlled, be sober-minded, to love one another earnestly, to show hospitality, to serve believers in love, to use your gifts to build up the church, to speak God’s truth and to serve in God’s strength (v. 7-11). All of these commands are to be done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ (v. 11).  A beautiful gem is hidden away in this passage which brings it to life. We, as believers, are “stewards of God’s varied grace” (v. 10). The grace of God is a glimmering diamond in the treasure chest of God’s redemptive work. His grace is multi-faceted and inexhaustible in splendor. He is the God of grace who dispenses grace to his beloved children. Moreover, because of Christ we belong to God the Father and are filled with the Holy Spirit. Just as Dick Hoyt pushed his son to victory, our Heavenly Father pushes us to the finish line of eternity. Until the return of our Savior, we await it in great expectation. We are to live holy lives in order to bring him great joy. Spared from his judgment, every believer should live in immense gratitude and humble devotion as stewards of God’s amazing grace

    Application Questions:
    1. How can you spur on your fellow believers to live for Jesus, expecting his imminent return?

    2. What areas of your life need to change in order to bring joy to your Savior and to hear the words, “Well done my good and faithful servant…Enter into the joy of your master” (Matt. 25:21)?