Partaking In The Sufferings Of Christ
by Dan Richardson
“… but insomuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, rejoice; that at the revelation of his glory also ye may rejoice with exceeding joy” (1 Peter 4:13).
Our study text is I Peter 4:12-19. Its theme is the necessity and privilege of a Christian to partake of Christ’s sufferings. While the world will “… think it strange that ye run not with them into the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you” (verse 4), Christians must not “think it strange” when we suffer for Christ’s sake. Instead, we should expect it (verse 12).
The night before His crucifixion, Jesus instructed his disciples, “If the world hateth you, ye know that it hath hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love its own; but because ye are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said to you, A servant is not greater than his lord. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also” (John 15:18-20). In Jesus’ words, consider these points:
- Christians are people who are “delivered from this present evil world” by the blood of Jesus Christ, according to the will of God (Galatians 1:4). By the cross of Jesus, Paul further said, “the world hath been crucified unto me, and I unto the world” (Galatians 6:14). They are called out of the world by the gospel (2 Thessalonians 2:14), and by gospel obedience they are forgiven of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16; Galatians 3:26-27). When baptized “into Christ” (Galatians 3:26-27), they are created anew in Christ (II Corinthians 5:17; Romans 6:4).
- The kingdom of Christ is by nature spiritual (as opposed to the carnal world, John 18:36). God’s children are delivered from sin and “translated into the kingdom of the Son of His love” (Colossians 1:13). Therein, every saint stands in the strength of God, opposing and overcoming Satan’s carnal world by faith, “Ye are of God, my little children, and have overcome them, because greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world. They are of the world, therefore speak they as of the world, and the world heareth them. We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he who is not of God heareth us not. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error” (I John 4:4-6; cf. 5:4). A Christian can’t love the world (I John 2:15-16), nor be friends with it (James 4:4).
- Jesus tells His disciples to “remember” (verse 20) - implying how forgetful man can become to God’s truth by carelessness (James 1:23-24), and warning every saint to be strong against the pressures of the world to conform. We need the faith of Abraham, “yet looking to God, he wavered not through unbelief but waxed strong through faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what he had promised, he was able also to perform” (Romans 4:20-21).
The word of Christ clearly instructs regarding God’s people suffering for the cause of Christ. A true disciple of Jesus must “take up his cross,” suggesting a connection to the sufferings of Christ in his personal life of sufferings (Luke 9:23). Paul wrote, “all that would live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (II Timothy 3:12). Now from I Peter 4:12-19, let’s observe the benefits of partaking in Christ’s sufferings.
First, Peter identifies the purpose of partaking in Christ’s sufferings, “concerning the fiery trial among you, which cometh upon you to prove you” (verse 12). Earlier, Peter instructs, “that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold that perisheth though it is proved by fire, may be found unto praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (I Peter 1:7). As pure gold is forged in the crucible of fire, so is faith proved genuine and strong through the fires of trials. The Christian, in hearing and doing God’s word, builds upon the rock and, therefore is able to endure the storms of life by wisely building upon the rock (Matthew 7:24ff.). The stability necessary to endure sufferings and trials isn’t human but divine. In the Lord we are made strong (Ephesians 6:10ff.). We are redeemed to stand strong in Christ. However, “If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small” (Proverbs 24:10).
Second, partaking of Christ’s sufferings are occasions to rejoice (verse 13; cf. Acts 5:41). This is because of the connection to our hope at “the revelation of his glory.” Christians steadfastly trust in and rejoice concerning the strong assurance given us by the promises of our God who cannot lie (Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:17-18). Paul wrote, “I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14). Paul didn’t coast - he said “I press,” suggesting the endurance required through his partaking in Christ’s sufferings (cf. Colossians 1:24). He learned that the power/strength of Christ was made complete in his life through the sufferings he endured for Christ (II Corinthians 12:9-10). Therefore, he rejoiced in the Lord.
Third, partaking of Christ’s sufferings - “reproached for the name of Christ” - evokes God’s blessings (verse 14). The blessed of God are they who receive His favor and acceptance. Jesus said, “Blessed are they that have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:10-12). From Luke’s gospel, Jesus said, “Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy; for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for in the same manner did their fathers unto the prophets” (Luke 6:22-23). Upon such rests “the Spirit of glory and the Spirit of God,” suggesting lives which are harmonious with the will and purpose of God.
Fourth, by partaking in Christ’s sufferings, we unashamedly glorify God (verses 15-16). While suffering for wrongdoing is deserved and ought to bring shame (verse 15), “if a man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this name” (verse 16). Therefore, the very name “Christian” suggests a course of conduct which necessitates suffering for Christ. We glorify God in the name “Christian” (cf. John 15:8). To be ashamed of being a Christian would suggest a stronger tie to the world than to Christ.
Fifth, partaking of Christ’s suffering demands commitment to God, “Wherefore let them also … commit their souls in well-doing unto a faithful Creator” (verse 19). God promises His people, “I will in no wise fail thee, neither will I in any wise forsake thee. So that with good courage we say, The Lord is my helper, I will not fear; what shall man do unto me?” (Hebrews 13:5-6). With such courage the Christian commits to God and suffers for Christ’s sake. Such commitment is opposite to they who seek for the easy way the majority walks leading to hell. Instead, it means choosing to enter the narrow gate and walk the “straitened” (difficult) way leading to heaven (Matthew 7:13-14).
May all who wear the name “Christian” understand its demands, even to the degree of partaking in Christ’s sufferings.