Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 

1 Peter 4:12 

Christians in Australia have always taken it for granted that we could speak our opinion into public debates along with everyone else. But we learn from 1 Peter that it has always been the case that identifying yourself as a Christian, or offering a Christian perspective, is likely to draw from those who disagree with you some strong responses. 

There’s nothing wrong with that. Sadly, it can get unpleasant and uncivil on social media and it often does. Vitriol can fly and Christians must be scrupulous in not returning fire.  

Peter says in his letter that Christians are to respond with “gentleness and respect”, to those who slander them and revile them because of their good behaviour in Christ (3:15-16).

How should Christians respond when they are “insulted because of the name of Christ” (1 Peter 4:14) or “suffer as a Christian” (v16)?

Peter is not talking here about the ordinary sufferings of life – sickness, disappointment, broken promises, death. He’s not talking about institutional state persecution, which is experienced today by Christians in places like North Korea, Afghanistan or northern Nigeria.  

Rather, Peter says they are slandered for their good behaviour (3:16); maligned for not joining in debauchery (4:4); insulted because of the name of Christ (4:14).

Peter seeks to equip his readers with a variety of perspectives on their suffering for Christ’s sake. First, this kind of suffering “tests” our faith (4:12) like steel refined in fire. Impurity is burned off, and the steel strengthened. 

Likewise, rejection for Christ’s sake builds trust in the Lord who gave himself for us, and perseverance in faith. It may be painful, but it is not purposeless.

Second, Peter says, “But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed” (4:13).

In the midst of suffering, Christians are to find joy. Not because of their suffering, but because of what it signifies.

First, participation in the sufferings of Christ. Now what does this mean exactly? It doesn’t mean that there is joy in suffering. Christians are not masochists and there is nothing here to justify the self-harming practices of pagan religion, which did over the years find its way into some expression of Christianity.  

The word participation means “fellowship, or “sharing”. In all the time from the resurrection of Jesus to his return, the gospel is preached and the church is built, as people believe. Until the full number of God’s people are gathered in by the gospel, the church will continue to suffer.  

But Jesus is the head of his body, the church. There is an unbreakable solidarity, fellowship and union between Jesus and his people. 

So when Christians experience rejection or isolation because they bear the name of Christ – they can rejoice in this – they have union with the Lord who himself suffered, and who suffers with them until the revelation of his glory. Until the consummation of the age, when he will gather all his people and wipe away every tear.  

There is joy to be found in recognising that when we suffer “for his name” that is a testimony to a present union with Christ, and a coming reunion with Christ, that is drawing closer with every day.   But there’s more. ‘If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you’ (v14). Peter contrasts the shame of rejection and humiliation at the hands of a mocking culture, with the glory of God’s approval and his presence by his Spirit. 

In some places in the world today, the lowliest occupations are reserved for the minority Christian population – street sweepers, garbage collectors, toilet cleaners. Humiliated in this world, but inheritors of the glory to come. Suffering and shame is temporary, though painful; glory and honour with God will be eternal. 

The Spirit of God is the presence and power of God; mocked though they are, they are not alone; though they are regarded as the lowest of the low, they belong to the Lord Most High. The presence of the Spirit means they are neither alone, nor without God’s help. 

Peter does not make the slightest suggestion of retaliation or vengeance. On the contrary, he quickly moves to say your suffering ought not to be on account of being a murderer or thief or any kind of evildoer or meddler (v15).

He seems to be making the point that trusting yourself to God in a situation of testing means leaving aside any human strategy of revenge, or any scheme for getting back at someone.

If you are insulted for Christ’s name, don’t be surprised; but rejoice.  Your faith is being tempered like steel, you have fellowship with Christ and with his Spirit and with God; Christ’s body suffers in this realm, but you belong to the day when his glory will be revealed.