Contemplation #235
So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good. 1 Peter 4:19
To 'suffer according to God's will' does not have to mean that God plans for us to suffer, that he designs and ordains such, though we know suffering is inevitable. Perhaps this passage should be read as saying that there is a way to handle suffering that is God's will for us. To suffer according to the will of God is first to suffer not for unrighteousness, but for fidelity to God. Second, it means that we should respond to suffering in faith and according to God's ways so that he is glorified. We are to respond to all of life, and certainly the hard times, according to the will of God as shown to us in Christ.
Contemplation #236
So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good. 1 Peter 4:19
We should find it interesting that Peter speaks of God as Creator in this passage. He turns our thoughts to God as the One who made us while talking about how we handle suffering. In the midst of suffering we are often at a loss to know what to do, and feeling most vulnerable. Knowing that we have a faithful Creator means that God, knowing us because he is the One who has formed us, can guide us through our most trying times. We must trust the One who is closer to us than we are to ourselves to show us how to deal with suffering.
Contemplation #237
So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good. 1 Peter 4:19
Ultimately Peter says that our response to suffering is to continue to do good. When we are suffering because of doing good, the greatest temptation is to stop doing the good that has brought us trouble and pain. Nothing is more natural than to alleviate our own pain. However, the One who formed us assures us that we will be able to persevere in doing good despite our doubts. We feel and often believe that we cannot continue, that we have been overcome, but God proclaims that more is possible than we know or believe. He has made us, and he knows. We have been created more in God's image than we realize.
So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good. 1 Peter 4:19
To 'suffer according to God's will' does not have to mean that God plans for us to suffer, that he designs and ordains such, though we know suffering is inevitable. Perhaps this passage should be read as saying that there is a way to handle suffering that is God's will for us. To suffer according to the will of God is first to suffer not for unrighteousness, but for fidelity to God. Second, it means that we should respond to suffering in faith and according to God's ways so that he is glorified. We are to respond to all of life, and certainly the hard times, according to the will of God as shown to us in Christ.
Contemplation #236
So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good. 1 Peter 4:19
We should find it interesting that Peter speaks of God as Creator in this passage. He turns our thoughts to God as the One who made us while talking about how we handle suffering. In the midst of suffering we are often at a loss to know what to do, and feeling most vulnerable. Knowing that we have a faithful Creator means that God, knowing us because he is the One who has formed us, can guide us through our most trying times. We must trust the One who is closer to us than we are to ourselves to show us how to deal with suffering.
Contemplation #237
So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good. 1 Peter 4:19
Ultimately Peter says that our response to suffering is to continue to do good. When we are suffering because of doing good, the greatest temptation is to stop doing the good that has brought us trouble and pain. Nothing is more natural than to alleviate our own pain. However, the One who formed us assures us that we will be able to persevere in doing good despite our doubts. We feel and often believe that we cannot continue, that we have been overcome, but God proclaims that more is possible than we know or believe. He has made us, and he knows. We have been created more in God's image than we realize.
posted by Greg at 9:10 AM
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