It is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of
unjust 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?
TODAY’S MEDITATION
Thank God, that even in
suffering he is at work in your life. Be reminded that you are not the first to
suffer unjustly; commit to never repay evil for evil; and praise him that you
bear the name “Christian.”
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