Do Not Be Surprised by Persecution

Note from today’s Bible reading: 1 Peter 3-4

Peter had already written about the threat of persecution at different points in his first letter (1 Peter 1:6; 2:12; 3:14). This was a reality these brethren would have to face and he did not want them to be caught unprepared. So he told them, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you” (1 Peter 4:12).

There was a potential danger that when these brethren experienced persecution, they would assume that such a thing should not be happening to them. They might begin to think that if they were facing persecution, they must be doing something wrong and, therefore, they would need to change their behavior or compromise their position.

However, rather than persecution being a sign that they are doing something wrong, they should have recognized it as a confirmation that they were doing what was right. It was to be expected that they “share the sufferings of Christ” and “[suffer] as a Christian” (1 Peter 4:13, 16).

The goal of persecution is to get Christians to abandon their position. Peter wanted to make sure they did not do this. This same warning is just as needed for us today.

So do not be surprised by persecution. Instead, let us recognize it as a test to see if we will remain faithful or not. No matter what we may have to suffer for the cause of Christ, let us never abandon our faith because our only hope is in Him.