Making a Differencewith Pastor Phil Erickson

Dec 23rd Why Christians Suffer: Lessons from 1st Peter

Today’s Passage – 1 Peter 1 – 5 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)

(Second Milers also read – Psalms 111 – 115; Proverbs 23)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Matthew 6:33

Read the “1223 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” (1 Peter 1:6 & 7)

Have you ever wondered why God allows suffering in the life of believers? And, did you notice all of the references to suffering in this first letter from Peter?

Suffering in the Early Church

Christians in the first-century Roman Empire were indeed put to the test often due to their allegiance to Jesus Christ. Look back in the text and notice the following verses:

• “But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;” (1 Pe 3:14)
• “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:” (1 Pe 4:12)
• “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” (1 Pe 5:10)

In fact, the word “suffer” appears 11 times in 1 Peter. These first century Christians certainly knew what it was like to bear the cross of the Lord Jesus. Today, there are people in other parts of our world who also are well acquainted with suffering for the Lord. They know what it is like to be persecuted, and in some cases prosecuted or even executed, simply for living out their Christian faith.

Suffering (or lack thereof) in America Today

In America, however, there is very little suffering being experienced by believers. We live in a land of freedom. We can still worship the Lord without fear of reprisal. We know little of “counting the cost” for our relationship with God. Yes, there can be cultural and family pressure here in our part of the world, and sometimes believers experience workplace discrimination, but generally the price we pay here for our faith in Christ is mild compared to what Christians are facing in some other parts of the world. Here, we are well fed, we are warm in the winter and cool in the summer, we sit on cushioned seats; we have it made. Yet, if you were to carefully examine the hearts and attitudes of many believers today, you would find that we really do not fully appreciate the freedom and luxury that we have. We don’t recognize the wonderful place of liberty that God has given us here in the good ole U.S. of A. This is not to say that we haven’t experienced other forms of suffering, such as illnesses, etc.; but I am merely trying to point out that we are not suffering at the hands of our neighbors or the government for worshipping Christ. Maybe it’s because we are very carnal here in America. Paul says in 2 Timothy 3:12 that all that live godly lives shall suffer persecution. Maybe we are not as godly as those first century Christians. This isn’t to condemn us, but to challenge us—perhaps our comfort has made us complacent.

The Real Battle: Fleshly Lusts

There is something that Peter wrote in this epistle that I think we can all identify with, however:

• “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;” (1 Pe 2:11)

Though I do not know any Christians here in our land that are being tortured for their faith, I do know of many that are tormented because of the battle going on in their own flesh. I know that for me, the flesh is my number one enemy. I can certainly identify with the Apostle Paul when he said that the things that he does not want to do, he does, and vice versa. Maybe that is why Satan isn’t attacking us with the frontal assault of persecution. He doesn’t need to because we are already losing the spiritual battle in our flesh and our lusts are keeping us from having the effectiveness and impact in the world that we could and should be having.  See the list of the “works of the flesh” in Galatians 5:19 – 21 if you don’t know what I am referring to.

A Call to Spirit-filled Living

• “16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. … 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” (Gal 5:16, 25)

Maybe if we really started walking in the Spirit, and putting to death the lusts that are wreaking havoc in our lives, then we just might get the wicked one’s attention. Don’t misunderstand, I am not inviting, nor looking forward to suffering at the hands of the devil or the world, but I do wish I was living more of a “Spirit-filled life” that is worthy of their attention.

An Added Thought Regarding Suffering

As unpleasant as suffering is for believers, God uses it at times to glorify Himself in this dark world when the sufferer remains faithful to Christ through it. Peter tells us that God purifies the believer’s faith through trials and persecution:

• “6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” (1Pe 1:6-7)

Questions to Ponder

Have you experienced any real persecution because of your faith in Christ?

Do we truly appreciate our religious freedom?

What fleshly lusts are warring against your soul today?

Leave a comment below and let us know what battles you are facing today as you serve Christ.

[Post revised on 12/23/2025]