Suffering “Explained”My1Peter Study Material

“After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.”

”God the Father knew you and chose you long ago, and his Spirit has made you holy. As a result, you have obeyed him and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ. “You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy! The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.” So as obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written,

“You shall be holy, for I am holy. Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, and fix your hope completely on the grace coming to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ! While keeping in mind, you’re now being guarded by God's power, through your faith, until you fully inherit that final salvation that’s ready to be revealed in the last time. “In this we greatly rejoice, even if you have been distressed by various trials either happening right now, or one’s that have been going on for a while, so that the proof of your faith (that’s more precious than gold) when tested by fire will result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ! “Since Christ suffered in the flesh for us, we need to arm ourselves with the same thought and purpose [patiently to suffer rather than fail to please God] For whoever has suffered in the flesh, while having the mind of Christ, is done with intentional sin! He has stopped pleasing himself and the world, and now lives to please God. He can no longer spend the rest of his natural life living for human appetites and desires, he but lives for the will and purpose of God.” So shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; not as Lording it over those you’re in charge of, but by proving to be the set apart leaders who are the real-life examples necessary to guide and lead the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.”

Now if a person endures the sorrow of suffering unjustly because of the carrying out of the will of God, this brings much favor! Also, if when you do what is right and patiently bear [undeserved] suffering, this too finds much favor with God. “So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to God, for he will never fail you.” “For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ suffered for you, His suffering is your example to follow in His steps. While being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats! He just kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed!” Even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness you are still blessed [happy, to be admired and favored by God]. Do not be afraid of intimidating threats, nor be troubled or disturbed by the opposition, but in your hearts set Christ apart [as holy—giving Him first place in your lives] as Lord. Be ready to give a [logical] defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope and confident assurance [due to your faith] that is in you, and do it with gentleness and respect. And see to it that your conscience is entirely clear, so that every time you are slandered or falsely accused, those who attack or disparage your good behavior in Christ will be shamed by their own words. For such is the will of God that by doing right you’ll silence the ignorance of foolish men. “Now don’t be surprised about the fiery trials that have come among you to test you. These are not strange happenings! Instead, rejoice as you share Christ’s suffering. If you are mocked because of Christ’s name, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory indeed, the Spirit of God rests on you.” “So dear friends, I warn you as temporary residents and foreigners to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.” “You have already lived long enough like people who don't know God.” You were immoral and followed your evil desires. You went around drinking and partying and carrying on. In fact, you even worshiped disgusting idols. Now your former friends wonder why you have stopped running around with them, and they curse you for it. But they will have to answer to God, who judges the living and the dead.” For indeed Christ died for sins once for all, for the Just and Righteous, for the Unjustand Unrighteous [the Innocent for the guilty] so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the Spirit;

“So above all have fervent and unfailing love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins [it overlooks unkindness and unselfishly seeks the best for others]. Being hospitable to one another without a complaint can only be achieved from the right positive perspective of love. God Bless🙏🙏🙏