1 Corinthians 6:5-8

"I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to settle a dispute between the brothers, but brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers? To have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded? But you yourselves wrong and defraud—even your own brothers!"

Perhaps the problem in our churches is that there doesn't seem to be anybody wise enough to solve the dispute. But I think that it is what is being communicated here. There were people capable of mediating the dispute. So why weren't disputers going to them? Perhaps the offended party failed to seek out brothers to deal with the problem because he thought that they would not be able to enforce their decision. So to keep from loosing out, he went to court before unbelievers. This does not keep a person from defeat. It is a defeat.

We are so concerned about standing up for ourselves that we cannot imagine a situation where it would be good for us to suffer wrong or be defrauded. So instead of taking it, we dish out. We go from someone who was suffering because someone did wrong to being one who is doing wrong.

It would be far better for me to suffer wrong than to do wrong. God will not hold me accountable for the wrong done for me, but He will hold be accountable for the wrong that I do.

1 Peter 5:8-11

“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

In our anxiety, in our time of need, in our time of suffering--we need to think rightly. It is easy to slump into a daze and allow the flood of difficult circumstances to wash over you, overwhelming you with sorrow. This does not mean that we make ourselves so callus that we don’t feel it when things should hurt. It means that we are sober-minded. Satan wants us to give into our circumstances, rebelling against God, denying God (as he had hoped that Job would). This type of reaction is due to a failure to think correctly and guard against our adversary. If we are not watchful, if we do not guard against these types of attacks, we will be devoured.

We need to be steadfast in trials. We are not the only Christians who have suffered, nor are we the only ones suffering right now. And our suffering is only temporary. God, “the God of all grace,” will lift us up and make us into something better than we were than when we began. He will make us stronger and more faithful to Him. He has this right, and when He does this, He does it in love and for our good. Satan wants us to rise up against God and cast off our faith, making us bitter, unhappy people. God wants to strengthen us and give us greater joy in Him. He can do it, and He will do it. We need to watch for it soberly, even in times of sadness.

1 Peter 5:6-7

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”

God loves and cares for us, and yet we experience difficulties. This does not seem right. If God is so mighty, why would he let bad things happen to us? Many people have asked that question, and it has led some to reject God or at least reject God, as He is revealed in the Bible. They believe that they know better. They want to set the parameters of how God should best show them care. They refuse to humble themselves and accept God’s way.

We will experience things that can easily lead to anxiety. When this happens it is natural to cast all the blame on God. But we need to cast our anxieties on Him. He knows what we are going through, and He cares. We should look trustingly to the One who has allowed it to happen and trust that He will bring us through the difficulty. If you refuse, you have not humbled yourself.

1 Peter 4:17-19

“For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.”

The previous verses have been discussing suffering for doing what is right. These verses say that “judgment” is coming to Christians. The context leads me to think that judgment must be referring to suffering in general rather than suffering for sins. The idea would seem to be that if we suffer for doing what is right, the suffering of those suffer who do what is wrong will be far greater. And if our suffering is so intense that it seems that we might not make it, then those who are in rebellion will suffer and be overwhelmed. They will not make it. Knowing the comparative ease of our intense suffering, we should entrust ourselves to God.

If I have entrusted my eternal soul to God, knowing that he is faithful and will deliver me, how can I fail to trust Him when I go through temporal difficulties.

1 Peter 4:14-16

“If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.”

Insults given for the name of Christ are delivered because of the blessing of God. When a person’s actions are in harmony with God’s nature that person is displaying God’s holy attributes and the Spirit of glory rests on that person’s life. This brings brings glory to God and great blessing to you. But you will be attacked. There are those who are enemies of God, and when you are following the divine example, you make yourself a target. They attack you to attack God. When that happens to you, you should consider it to be a blessing, because you know that you are displaying Christ.

But while there is blessing for suffering for being like Christ, there is only shame for suffering for your sin. If you suffer because of sinful choices, you were not being like Christ and your choices are not blessed. You will live with the knowledge that your suffering was due to your sin and it did not glorify God. Unfortunately this is the suffering that we tend to experience most frequently. Thankfully, even these kind of choices can be repented of and forgiven.

We should not seek suffering. We need to try to be like Christ. And when we are mocked, we should face it without shame.

1 Peter 4:12-13

“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.”

We are told not to be surprised when we encounter trials. But we usually are surprised. We want to know why we are facing the trial. It seems like it should not be happening, and we want to know what is going on that we are facing this unusually difficult circumstance. But trials are not something strange, and we should be ready for them.

The correct response to trials is joy. When we suffer as Christians, we are “shar[ing] Christ’s sufferings.” If we suffer with Him, we shall rejoice at the revelation of His glory. When it is clear to all that Christ is the King of glory, what honor shall be ours who suffered for Him.

1 Peter 4:3-5

“For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.”

Those who live for the fulfillment of their fleshly desires are consumed with sensuality. Stimuli drive their actions, and they constantly crave more. This overwhelming desire leads them to all kinds of excess. When these people see Christians who abstain from such debauchery, they are shocked. And there shock quickly gives way to mockery and malicious lies. They will be held accountable for their words and actions.

Earlier in the book, we were told that our testimony could be used to bring someone to Christ. Here we see our testimony provoking people. But these reactions which seem so different may just be different parts of the same thing. Perhaps the negative reaction to our abstaining from debauchery stems from the person's guilt concerning his own sin. This may permanently inspire him to tear us down, trying to prove that we are really no different. But this wrath may eventually give way to recognition of personal sinfulness and acceptance of Christ.

1 Peter 4:1-2

“Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God.”

I need to arm myself with the right mindset. I need to have a willingness to suffer, knowing that it will keep me from sin. Suffering or at least a mind that is willing to suffer keeps a person from being controlled by his natural desires and leads him to live for the will of God.

My mind in suffering is to be the same as Christ’s mind. There was a benefit to His suffering and He knew it. Likewise, there is a benefit to my suffering. Christ suffered and died to keep me from sin. I suffer to keep myself from sin. I am not directed to seek suffering out. I am directed to be ready for it and to face it knowing that God will use it in my life to keep me from sin.

1 Peter 3:18

“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit.”

With regards to suffering for doing well, there is no better example than Christ. He suffered for my sins. I was dirty, worthless, and rebellious. I was most unrighteous. And yet, Christ, the righteous One, was put to death in the flesh in order to bring me me to God. I have not yet suffered to the point of shedding blood. I have never had my life threatened. I may. If I do, I hope that I can look to Christ who has done it already.

1 Peter 3:13-17

“Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil.”

Generally, if you are passionately doing right, people will not fault you for it. Who would fault you for selflessness or humility? Who would be angry if you loved God? We would hope that no one would respond that way. And most fair minded people will not. In fact, they will respect you for it.

But it is also very likely that you will suffer for righteousness. It would be a blessing not to suffer, but it is also a blessing to suffer when you are suffering for doing right. When we face someone who means to harm us, we should face them without fear. I do not think that this means we need to be stoic. We should be willing to face our tormentors, not fearing them, knowing that our first duty is to honor Christ.

If we face trouble and are not troubled by it, people will notice. Perhaps someone will ask how we are able to make it through our trouble as we do. We should be ready to point them to Christ. We point them to Christ because that is where we are already looking and because He is why we are able to make it. But even in our response to such a question we must maintain the proper spirit so as not to cancel out our words with our actions. It would be a sad thing if you were doing right, were suffering for it, and were asked why you were enduring only to respond poorly. But how complete and sure your testimony would be if even in your response, you showed gentleness. Surely your conscience would be clear, and your attackers would be on exceedingly shaky ground.

1 Peter 3:8-9

“Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.”

These directives are for everyone. Regardless of position or status in life, there are some things that must be true.

I must have unity of mind with other believers. This is challenging. We all think so differently. I would be hard pressed to find another person with whom I agree about everything. And some people (even fellow Christians) do things that elicit jaw dropping shock and horror. How can I have unity of mind with people when God has made all of our minds so very different? Unity of mind must be an agreement or oneness that goes beyond our own natural tendencies and personal preferences. We must have a willingness to work together in unity for the truth, a determination to accomplish what God has for you even when you do not necessarily find yourself agreeing with those around you.

I must have sympathy. When I see someone with a need I should not try to avoid him. I should not harden my heart to the suffering of others.

I must have brotherly love. This would certainly help with the unity of mind challenge. I must put other people above me and show them love even it is at my own expense.

I must have a tender heart. While I was an undergraduate ministerial student I heard many different people come and present different fields where they were ministering. Almost without fail, after they presented the field, I thought I should go there. I felt an interest in helping meet the need presented. I don’t think that this was a bad thing. I have to guard against instability, but I also need to allow myself to be touched with the needs of others and be willing to help when I am able. And I am always able if at least by prayer.

I must have a humble mind. I must not think of myself as being above any other person. To do so would be sin. I should be willing to put others in a position of greater importance than the importance I put on my own life. This serves as the glue to hold all these command together, enabling someone to obey them.

Unfortunately, even when you aspire to be characterized by these virtues (and even when you are succeeding), people will not always respond positively. And that is when these directives are put to the test. Sure I can develop unity, sympathy, love, and humility when dealing with an amiable person. My wife is a great example. We have a wonderful life together. I think it’s because she is such a wonderful person. But what will I do when I try to live this way and someone speaks evil of me or does evil to me? Can I show love to someone who has just mocked me or cursed me or hurt me physically? How can I have sympathy for that person? My normal response would be to strike back or to return insult for insult. But I am directed to another response. I must be a blessing to that person. I must help that person and speak kindly and compassionately. That’s mad, crazy hard! But this is my calling. It is God’s plan for my life. And if I do these things, I will be blessed.

1 Peter 2:22-23

“He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.”

The idea of a person who could commit no sin is difficult for me to imagine. What would a person like that be like. We go our whole lives meeting thousands of people—all of them sinners. Yet Jesus “committed no sin.” What does a life like that look like? The glimpse in this passage deals with experiencing suffering unjustly. He was falsely accused with words motivated by hate, but He did not strike back with words of spite or anger. He suffered physically at the hands of His creation, but He did not threaten His tormentors (although He surely had the power to make good on any threat).

Jesus faithfully trusted His life to God. He believed that God was just. And He trusted His life in His Father’s hands. All Christians should put their lives in the Father’s hands. But I imagine that it would be more difficult when you know that the Father intends for you to die. It’s one thing to trust our loving God when we believe that our life will be easy and long. But would I keep on trusting myself to my loving God when I know that He is going to allow me to die and unpleasantly at that? Christ did, and I am supposed to follow in His footsteps. When I look at something like this, the little injustices I experience seem insignificant. Unfortunately, when I am responding poorly to injustice, I seldom think of the injustice that Christ faced. Perhaps that is part of the remedy to the problem. I need to consider my example—the one who suffered for me.

1 Peter 2:20-21

"For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps."

It is right for a person to accept the consequences of his actions. But when he suffers because of bad choices, we don’t really elevate him in our minds. However, if a person was to do no wrong and suffer, when we saw that suffering and the person enduring it, we would be amazed. And the passage says that God sees it as “a gracious thing.” What does that mean? Perhaps it means that we are showing grace and God sees it.

I should be willing to suffer unjustly because it is my calling. Christ suffered for me, and Christ is my example. I am to “follow in his steps.” To fulfill this calling I not only need to show grace but I need to be given grace. I don’t want to suffer unjustly, but I must. And if I’m going to, I need God to work in me.

1 Peter 2:19

“For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.”

How are we going to respect an unjust authority figure? By enduring suffering. When I am under the authority of someone who is unjust, I will eventually be treated unjustly. I should respond graciously. I need to be mindful of God. I need to remember that I am not the first one to suffer injustice. When I go through a trial, my natural response is to think that I have it bad and that no one else is suffering like me. When I am treated unjustly, I must remember Christ, who suffered for me, and I must endure.

James 5:13-15

"Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven"

Verse thirteen gives two appropriate responses to two different situations. The first one deals with what we've been looking at in the previous verses, suffering. The correct response to suffering is prayer. The second situation is quite different. What if you are happy? Then sing. I love singing. A third situation is also given and then addressed at length. What if you are suffering in a different way? What if you are suffering, not because of someone else's sinful actions? What if you are just sick? The answer is prayer again.

But there seems to be more to the situation than, for example, someone with a cough requesting prayer. Surely that is fine to do. But the illness must have been severe or longstanding, meriting special attention from the leaders of the church. One possible source of the illness seems to be your own sinful choices. The text says "if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven." However, the existence of a sin wasn't a certainty as the forgiveness was conditioned by the existence of a sin.

So what does all this mean for me? The key to understanding the passage seems to be in the middle of the verses listed. "The prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up." If I've committed sin and not confessed it to the Lord, it's going to be hard to look to Him honestly in faith. If there the Lord is going to raise me up, I need to look to Him rightly, in dependence and faith. This is true whether or not your illness is due to sin or not. However, if it was because of sin, my prayer of faith must entail your confession of sin and will result in the forgiveness of it.

James 5:10-11

"As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful."

The suffering of God's people at the hands of each other is no new thing. To encourage patience when we suffer because of the actions of other believers, we are pointed to the prophets. The prophets were doing God's work, and they suffered for it. At the time it must have been quite unpleasant. And I doubt that an outside observer would have had the foresight to rightly assess that the one suffering was blessed by God. Yet with foresight, "we consider those blessed who remained steadfast." Those who had patience in suffering were blessed.

Then of course there is the classic example of suffering, Job. Classic, I guess, because few can make a solid case that their situation is worse off than Job's situation. Yet in that horrible state God accomplished a purpose. And the inspired evaluation of the Lord's intention reveal His compassion and mercy. The compassion and mercy of God seen in suffering. I'd rather see it some other way, but that's desire only reveals my immaturity and lack of trust in the wisdom of God. In any case, when I do encounter suffering, especially at the hands of other believers, I should remember God's character and how He has worked in the past, knowing that He could be doing the same in my life.

James 1:12-15

"Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God," for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death."

No trial ever seems like a blessing at the time, but we can be blessed through them. Blessing comes through steadfastness in trials. What is the promised blessing? The crown of life. What is that? Without cross referencing, just considering the passage itself, it seems like some kind of reward for living a full life to God's glory. What is the reward though? Perhaps the reward is the full life itself. However, Revelation 2:10 tends to call that into question. It says "Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life." If the crown of life is given after death, the crown can't be the life you lived. What is it then? I'm not sure.

After discussing the blessing gained through trials, a subtle but important distinction is made about where temptation comes from. God allows the temptation and works through it, but He Himself does not tempt us. Why would temptation be discussed at this point? Trials have been the focus and now there is a shift towards temptation. I've been told in the past, that the temptations here are the trials. But the discussion of temptation seems to be talking about sin, not trouble. Perhaps temptations are discussed here because there is always a temptation to not remain steadfast during trials. God does bring the trials, but the temptation, distinct from the trial, comes from our own desires. What desires? Perhaps the desire is to have things our way and not to trust God. This desire then leads us to actions and attitudes that put us into conflict with the revealed will of God. This course, unchecked, will inevitably lead to our death. That's quite different from a crown of life.

James 1:5-8

After telling us how trials make us complete, we are told that if we lack wisdom we should ask for it in faith, without doubting. We must believe that God can do it, but I think the emphasis of this statement contextually is that we must want God to do it. We cannot falter in our desire for wisdom. Wisdom will come through trials. If you aren't willing to face the trials, then you don't really want the wisdom. You say, I want one, but without the other. That's double-mindedness and it shows a lack of faith. If you want one but aren't willing to go through the other, then you don't really want the one, and God's not going to give it to you.

James 1:2-4

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

I think that God wants me to learn something about suffering. I've been dealing with an extended passage in the Psalms on suffering in the bilingual service. And now my devotions lead me to this passage. How do I view the trials that I encounter? My first response is to question why I am facing them. Unfortunately this questioning comes most naturally in the form of questioning whether I should be facing them or not. That of course is just questioning God. Often this type of thinking easily moves into anger. This is the exact opposite of how we are directed to respond. We are told to "count it all joy." What a strange statement. If someone where to instruct me to do that when I was facing trials, I would be tempted to call him an idiot. Unfortunately this only reveals my immaturity and the unbiblical nature of my thinking.

I should face trials with joyfulness, knowing what is really happening. When I am being tried, my faith is being tested. What does that mean? When I face something challenging, will I respond by what I see and feel or by what I believe to be true. If I am being tested. When I go through this, it increases my stability, my steadfastness. How does that matter? When steadfastness is developed in us we are "complete, lacking nothing."

1 Peter 1:6-7

"In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ."

We are not tried unnecessarily. Last weekend I preached a message from James 1 on being willing to suffer. I mentioned these verses in 1 Peter, but didn't consider them very deeply. As I read them now, I'm drawn to the words "if necessary." We have a living eternal hope. But in time, we face trials and they might bring us grief. We only encounter trials if they are necessary. And they are necessary. When we face trials, the sincerity of our faith is tested. When we face trials with genuine face, we praise and glorify Christ. Why? Because in the trials we learn more of Christ and perhaps are shown a bit of what he went through for us. Knowing Christ better, we are moved to give Him glory. This is precious.