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The Scriptorium

If Necessary

1 Peter 1.6, 7

6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7that the genuineness of your faith, beingmuch more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ…

The Story: How could it be “necessary” for believers to suffer persecution? And, when persecution comes, are we supposed to just smile and turn the other cheek? The anger, scorn, and ill-treatment others foist upon us because of our faith in Jesus Christ can be grievous. Peter doesn’t deny that. It wouldn’t be real suffering if there were no pain, hardship, sorrow, or loss associated with it. Sure we’re going to grieve when we are subjected to such treatment, just because we love Jesus. But by rejoicing with thanksgiving we can allow suffering to do its perfect work within us, which is to refine and purify our faith, strengthen our hope and resolve, and empower us in God’s Spirit to greater faithfulness and bolder witness. Suffering tests the genuineness of our faith. How we respond to suffering proves the viability and vitality of our profession of faith in Jesus. If we cower and collapse before suffering, that says one thing; if we rejoice, even in the midst of grief, and persevere in obedient witness, that says something else altogether.

The Structure: Previous generations of Christians have revered the martyrs more than we do in our day. In our day, once a year – a Sunday in November, I think – we have a special service to acknowledge the persecuted church. Wow. In the early church, when persecution was widespread, the stories of suffering Christians were written down and circulated all over the Roman world, giving hope and strength to all believers and encouraging them to encourage one another continuously, that they might persevere together even unto death. In our day we minister to the martyrs through a feeble, poorly-attended annual rite. In other days, the martyrs witnessed and ministered to the Church by their triumphs through suffering.

How does your church benefit from the example of contemporary Christian martyrs, or the martyrs of the past?

Each week’s studies in our
Scriptorium column are available in a free PDF form, suitable for personal or group use. For this week’s study, “Suffering and Beyond: 1 Peter 1.1-11,” simply click here..

T. M. Moore

Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

 

T.M. Moore

T. M. Moore is principal of The Fellowship of Ailbe, a spiritual fellowship in the Celtic Christian tradition. He and his wife, Susie, make their home in the Champlain Valley of Vermont.
Books by T. M. Moore

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