1 Peter 4:12-14

For Reading and Meditation:     1 Peter 4:7-19

We continue focusing on the fact that many Christians are persecuted, not because of identifying with Christ, but because of their tactlessness and folly. This eighth Beatitude - "Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" - does not apply to such people. Let us...

Had Peter done as he promised to do, and followed Christ from Gethsemane, content to be bound with him, mocked with him, scourged with him, condemned with him, and crucified with him, what an incomparably exalted place would he have had in our regard. Nothing but his own treacherous heart hindered him from occupying this worthiest and sublimest of places occupied by mere finite men. However, as his Lord generously foretold, he followed him afterwards. He met the same hostility, the same...

Your beauty . . . was perfect through My splendor which I had bestowed on you,” says the Lord God. § We all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. § The Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.Blessed is every one who fears the Lord, who walks in His ways. When you eat the labor of your hands, you shall be happy, and it shall be well with you. § Commit...

Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. § As you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is...

They took Jesus and led Him away. And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha, where they crucified Him. § The bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned outside the camp. Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the gate, bearing His reproach. § The fellowship...

Let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ. § Abstain from every form of evil. § If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you … But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. § Become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world. § Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and...

The fellowship of His sufferings. § Rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. § For if we died with Him, we shall also live with Him. § If children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath,...

Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you. § If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.The Lord your God is testing you to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.The Lord...

Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. § The exhortation … speaks to you as to sons: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him.” § Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful;...

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. § God has said: “I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” § Truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. § Rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.That you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend...