Suffering for Christ

Do not be astonished, brothers and sisters, that the world hates you. 1 Do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 2 For God has graciously granted you the privilege not only of believing in Christ, but of suffering for him as well. 3 

But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, a criminal, or even as a mischief maker. Yet if any of you suffers as a Christian, do not consider it a disgrace, but glorify God because you bear this name. 4 If you endure when you do right and suffer for it, you have God’s approval. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps. 5

If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory, which is the Spirit of God, is resting on you. 6 Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven. 7

You are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith – being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire – may be found to result in praise and glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 Rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed. 9

 

1 1Jn 3.13 2 1Pt 4.12 3 Phil 1.29 4 1Pt 4.15-16 5 1Pt 2.20-21 6 1Pt 4.14 7 Lk 6.22-23 8 1Pt 1.5-7 9 1Pt 4.13