(1Peter 4:12) “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.”
Life within its circumstances may force us at times to change gears. Detours to life are evident to all when as we are under construction and therefore detours must be part of our lives. Let us consider that for a moment, why we would need change to our lives is simple; it is only through hardships that one’s character is formed. There is an advert I have recently seen a Johnny Walker commercial with Haile Gebre Selassie (widely considered the greatest distance runner ever – has set a host of world records, won two Olympics gold’s and captured eight world titles in events ranging from the 1,500 metres right up to the marathon.). He explains that as a young boy he had to run 20km to school every day, and that is where he learnt to find, as he puts it, “one big push!” Poverty and the lack of transport with athletic capabilities gifted from God. This man was given the perfect formula to help him find greatness as an athlete.
David had a similar experience, his life was full of blessings and he often would stand boldly declaring the victory he trounced in and through his God. The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, however his life was also full of tears and suffering, he spent time running from King Saul and lived in caves with a shortage of food. Life wasn’t always a bed of roses and neither should it or will it be any different for the child of God. The more God prepares a man for service the more he seems to be squeezed in order to glorify God. It was like that for the greatest of all examples; yes our great Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ was squeezed so tightly that in the Garden of Gethsemane He began to sweat drops of blood, God in the flesh having to endure suffering, WHY? The supposition is that Christ had suffered for us in the flesh, or in his human nature. The consequent or implication is, “Arm and fortify yourselves likewise with the same mind, courage, and resolution.” The word flesh in the former part of the verse signifies Christ's human nature, but in the latter part it signifies man's corrupt nature. It is important that we understand the makeup of our flesh, its corruptibility and its tendency to always look for outs! I find it interesting that Peter gives us this teaching, the boldest of all the original Apostles, he was the one to venture out and walked on water, he also cut off the roman centurion’s ear when coming to arrest the Lord but then also denies the Lord three times. “Jesus said to him, "Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times." (Matthew 26:34)
I loved the Lords response to Peter’s uncompromising statement, “never me Lord”, how familiar are those words to your ears, I am guilty as charged! The Lord must have looked into Peter’s eyes with his piercing compassionate stare without even a hint of disgust or animosity and said, “But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers." (Luke 22:32)
It was needful for Peter to be brought down to size and to understand the weakness of his own flesh, as it was part of his process in killing off the old man, we too have to go through a similar process to kill off the lusts and wants of our old man. Many of us may say, like Peter said to him, "Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death." (Luke 22:33)
And yet when he was challenged with that exact test he denied the Lord!
Words and promises flow from our tongues with such ease, but when they are tested they seldom stand up to the test, may God continue to be merciful as He will be to all His children and help us find grace in time of need to stand firm in Him.
Suffering is as much a part of a Christian’s daily life as eating and sleeping.
“Some of the strongest and best arguments against all sorts of sin are taken from the sufferings of Christ. All sympathy and tenderness for Christ as a sufferer are lost of you do not put away sin. He dies to destroy it; and, though he could cheerfully submit to the worst sufferings, yet he could never submit to the least sin. The beginning of all true mortification lies in the mind, not in penances and hardships upon the body. The mind of man is carnal, full of enmity; the understanding is darkened, being alienated from the life of God, Eph_4:18. Man is not a sincere creature, but partial, blind, and wicked, till he be renewed and sanctifies by the regenerating grace of God. How it is further explained, 1Pe_4:2. The apostle explains what he means by being dead to sin, and ceasing from sin, both negatively and positively. Negatively, a Christian ought no longer to live the rest of his time in the flesh, to the sinful lusts and corrupt desires of carnal wicked men; but, positively, he ought to conform himself to the revealed will of the holy God. The lusts of men are the springs of all their wickedness, Jam_1:13, Jam_1:14. Let occasional temptations be what they will, they could not prevail, were it not for men's own corruptions. All good Christians make the will of God, not their own lusts or desires, the rule of their lives and actions. True conversion makes a marvellous change in the heart and life of every one who partakes of it. It brings a man off from all his old, fashionable, and delightful lusts, and from the common ways and vices of the world, to the will of God. It alters the mind, judgment, affections, way, and conversation of every one who has experienced it.” (Matthew Henry)
So the next time we ask, “Why Lord?” let us remember God is preparing His children for greater things to come and it is only through suffering that we will become more like our glorious Saviour in character! “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.”
Signing Off
Tyrone
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