The first epistle of Peter was written to the people suffering for their faith in Christ. It is said that they were dispersed throughout different provinces to save themselves from the persecution unleashed upon them by the Roman authorities. History records that many faithful believers were crucified on the cross and were burnt like torches. To strengthen this scattered group of believers in their faith, Peter writes this epistle.

Throughout the centuries, true believers are the most persecuted people in this world. Even now, everyone of us, in some way or the other, is going through varied difficulties in our life. As a result, sometimes our faith tends to be wavering and we lose sight of our spiritual riches in Christ. We feel hopeless and develop a kind of mentality that doubts the faithfulness of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in life’s seemingly tough moments.

Be Obedient

As we scan through the pages of this epistle, one topic that emerges out of it is about ‘obedience or submission‘. The Apostle Peter has many relevant things to say about the obedience in the life of a believer while going through life’s fiery trials, as listed below.

1. We are chosen for obedience to Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:2).
2. We are to behave like obedient children (1 Peter 1:14).
3. We are instructed to obey every man-made authority for the Lord’s sake, whether it be an emperor or a governor (1 Peter 2:13-14).
4. Servants are told to obey their masters with all respect, not only if they are kind and reasonable, but even if they are tough and cruel (1 Peter 2:18).
5. Wives are to live in obedience to their own husband, like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham (1 Peter 3:1).
6. Young people are directed to obey their spiritual leaders (1 Peter 5:5).
7. Finally, leaders and believers alike are urged to be mutually obedient or submissive to one another (1 Peter 5:5).

God executes His Divine purpose in your life when you obediently bear sufferings

The normal tendency of humans is to rebel against the system while facing hardship. In the Old Testament, Israelites rebelled against Moses and God whenever they faced tough situations, even though they had experienced God’s mighty hand and powerful arm in bringing them out of Egypt. Though Job’s wife had enjoyed many years of blessed family life, she openly rebels against God when all her earthly comforts are taken away from her. Remember, after the tiresome long journey through the wilderness, there was a land waiting for the Israelites, which was flowing with milk and honey. Only those who obeyed unconditionally entered it and the rest perished in the wilderness. After fulfilling His divine purposes, the Lord restored Job’s prosperity and doubled his former possessions.

Jesus Christ learned obedience through His suffering and became the author of eternal salvation to all those who obey Him (Hebrews 5:8,9). He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death and died as a criminal on the cross. And for this reason, God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is supreme above every other name (Philippians 2:8,9). Being obedient while suffering is not an easy thing and it was not easy for Jesus Christ, either. Therefore, He prayed with loud cries and tears in the Garden of Gethsemane to the Heavenly Father who could save him from cross and death. His prayer was heard and He was given the strength to bear the sufferings of the cross. Hence, Satan was defeated and the way of salvation for the whole of mankind was achieved.

So, God uses suffering as a means to accomplish His purposes in our life. When we disobey and rebel, we are hindering God’s purposes in our life. Make a firm decision today to be obedient in suffering to be a partaker in the glory that will follow. May God, the Holy Spirit, help you to live a life of obedience amid suffering.