Not Just Individuals...

My grandmother always said that if I am suffering then I must be doing something right but if I am not then the devil is leaving me alone because he has already gotten me.  Do you rejoice at suffering?  Do you see it as a result of God's work?  First Peter 4: 12-13 explores this idea further.  Peter said 

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.  But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.

Peter is telling us to expect and rejoice in suffering.  But he is clear that we should rejoice if the suffering is for Jesus.  Unfortunately, suffering for Jesus is not the only reason for suffering.  Are we suffering for the right reasons?  We need to look at ourselves and our actions to make sure we are not bringing the suffering on ourselves.  

If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or a thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. (I Peter 4:15)

We are called to distinguish between suffering for being a believer and suffering because of our actions.  We should seek counsel and pray to determine the cause of our suffering.  We need to seek to find if we are causing our suffering so we can correct our wrongs and continue with the work God has for us.

But this is not just about us as individuals.  This is also true with the church.  Almost weekly our pastor gets up and talks about how we are suffering, we are having trouble paying our bills and meeting our needs.  He also mentions how we are not the only ones, that he had pastor friends whose churches are the same.  But does that make it alright?  We need to know why.  Are we suffering for Christ?  We need to search ourselves as a church body to find out why we are suffering.  Peter also says 

For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? (1 Peter 4:17) 

If God is going to begin with the church, are the hard times we are going through a result of His judgment for our sins?  Is it a wake-up call to us to repent as He called the churches in Revelation to repent.  Do we compare to Pergamum where we tolerate compromise (Revelation 2:12-17)?  Or Laodicea where we are only lukewarm (Revelation 3:14-22)?  Or are we going through hard times like Smyrna and we just need to hold on (Revelation 2:8-11)?  Or like faithful Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-13)?


The only way to know the truth as an individual or as a church is to get on our knees and seek God's guidance.  We must open our hearts and minds to what God has for us and be prepared to accept what He tells us.

So then those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.  (I Peter 4:19)