It is
commendable if someone bears up under the pain of suffering because they are
conscious of God. (1
Peter 2:19)
Peter is
writing to Roman Christians scattered throughout Asia Minor. They are refugees,
chased from their homes through no fault of their own. Nero blamed them for the
great fire which had recently destroyed much of the city and they are in hiding.
This gives a new understanding to Peter’s words: These [trials] have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith –
of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire – may result
in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed (1:7). Their faith
was being refined by fire… literally.
It is from
Rome he writes to these saints: Live out
your time as foreigners here in reverent fear (1:17). Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult (3:9). But even if you should suffer for what is
right, you are blessed (3:14). Do not
be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though
something strange were happening to you (4:12). If you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that
you bear that name (4:16).
In closing,
Peter includes greetings from the church in Rome, but rather than reveal his
location, he adopts code language almost apocalyptic in nature: She who is in Babylon, chosen together with
you, sends you her greetings (5:13).
Have you ever been
falsely accused?
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