1 Peter 4:13
“But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.”
The last time it was explained to rejoice. Today will be more of a why we should rejoice. Peter speaks of proportionality. In as much as we receive suffering, rejoice that much. How come?
The suffering spoken of last time was the resistance we feel when we are seeking to grow in Christ. Sometimes it’s an inner resistance by way of temptation. Other times it’s a feeling of wanting to belong to the world and at times it could be a rejection or a mocking by unbelievers. Jesus experienced all of those things (Hebrews 4:15).
Why is this a reason to rejoice? If we don’t sense any resistance, then we aren’t growing in Christ. It’s like a salmon swimming upstream. The entire route is against the current. There may be a side pool for rest, but the correct way is against the flow.
This worldly system is not of God. Romans 12:2 says “not to be conformed to this world.” 1 John 2:15 says to “not love the world, nor the things in the world”. The current of the world isn’t to be our pattern. We are to be in God’s Word and get our direction and passion from it.
The bible says our flesh is against God. Galatians 5:16,17 says to walk by the Spirit, thus we will not fulfill the desires of the flesh. For the flesh is contrary to God. What’s this? When we come to Christ, He gives us a new heart with new desires. However, the old one is still there, competing for attention. The stronger one is the one that’s fed. It offers resistance.
The Devil also gives oppositon. The world the flesh and the devil (1 John 2:16) are passing away. Just as the salmon’s trip is against the flow, so is ours. If we don’t feel resistance, we may be going the wrong way. The opposing force is proof that He is with us and working through us. In this we rejoice.
Lord, thank You that You are working Your will in us. Help us to rejoice in it.