Refined in Tribulation (LD 20; 1 Peter 4:14)

Peter knows the weight of suffering.  When Satan requested permission from Christ to sift Peter he caved.  He denied his savior three times.  One would think that such a record would disqualify Peter to talk about suffering.  However, Peter encourages us to rejoice in suffering, feel blessed when insulted, and glorify God.  This sounds a bit hypocritical that Peter would say such things. However, as we dig deeper we note that Peter is not a hypocrite at all, but rather a fellow sojourning living in the dispersion.

Peter is communicating to us that living as redeemed people means enduring trials, sharing in Christ’s suffering, and not a necessary failure in our Christian life. Peter reminds believers that suffering is not a sign of abandonment but a means of refinement like gold or silver having its impurities burned away.  The trials we endure as Christians test and strengthen our faith, strengthen our union with Christ, and reveal our character. We rejoice not in superficial words of piety, but consciously seeing ourselves as sharing in Christ’s sufferings which also means we will share in his glory.

The presence of the Holy Spirit in us is God is refining and preserving us through every hardship. Ultimately, our confidence lies in the Spirit of God who dwells in us, the same Spirit which raised Christ, and the full glory that filled the temple is in us. This divine presence secures our heavenly destiny and empowers us to live as God’s people, even in the context of suffering. The Spirit is not a temporary gift but a permanent power that preserves us as we consciously persevere in Christ by faith. Thus, we are called to walk in the Spirit, trusting that God is working out His redemptive plan in us, and securing our place in His eternal kingdom.  Let us rejoice in God’s refinement, and not suffer as evil doers in this age.