A letter written to suffering people.

1 Peter is a letter written to suffering people. Words like

suffering, trials, testing of faith, and evil come up every
couple of verses. Here is a short sampling:

...you have been grieved by various trials, so that the

tested genuineness of your faithmore precious than gold
that perishes though it is tested by firemay be found to
result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of
Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:69)
For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one
endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For to this you
have been called, because Christ also suffered (1 Peter
2:1923)
But even if you should suffer for righteousness sake, you
will be blessed. (1 Peter 3:14)
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 (1 Peter 4:12)
Therefore let those who suffer according to Gods will (1
Peter 4:19)
And after you have suffered a little while (1 Peter 5:10)

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I want to draw your attention to one verse in particular:

Do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon

you to test you
1 Peter 4:12

Every time a trial comes my way, Im completely surprised by it.

Car problems, large unexpected bills, family issues, health issues,
pain, unanticipated stress, parenting strains, sleep deprivation,
whatever - they ALWAYS catch me off-guard and I end up asking
pointless questions like Why is this happening to me? Why is this
happening now? Where did this come from?! Well, youve been
warned by the Apostle Peter now - Do not be surprised when
trials come your way.

The whole letter of 1 Peter is about suffering and how to suffer

well. Here are the questions I will answer in the next two sections:
1. Why do Christians experience suffering?
2. What should be our response to suffering?

Before we continue, here is an illustration about a barber and his

customer: A man went to a barbershop to have his haircut and his
beard trimmed. As the barber began to work, they began to have
a good conversation. They talked about so many things and
various subjects. When they eventually touched on the subject of
God, the barber said: "I don't believe that God exists." "Why do
you say that?" asked the customer. "Well, you just have to go out
in the street to realize that God doesn't exist. Tell me, if God

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exists, would there be so many sick people? Would there be
abandoned children? If God existed, there would be neither
suffering nor pain. I can't imagine a loving God who would allow
all of these things." The customer thought for a moment, but
didn't respond because he didn't want to start an argument. The
barber finished his job and the customer left the shop. Just after
he left the barbershop, he saw a man in the street with long,
stringy, dirty hair and an untrimmed beard. He looked dirty and
unkept. The customer turned back and entered the barber shop
again and he said to the barber: "You know what? Barbers do not
exist." "How can you say that?" asked the surprised barber. "I am
here, and I am a barber. And I just worked on you!" "No," the
customer exclaimed. "Barbers don't exist because if they did,
there would be no people with dirty long hair and untrimmed
beards, like that man outside."

God does not cause suffering, but He does allow it. And He
certainly uses it for His purposes.

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Why Suffering? Reasons for suffering in 1 Peter.
Peters first epistle gives us three reasons explaining why we must
go through suffering in this world. Suffering accomplishes many
things for us: It builds our faith, prepares us for future tasks,
allows us to be a positive Christian testimony, gives us the
credibility to help others experiencing trials, and so forth. But
what I want to discuss here is more foundational. Why does
suffering exist in this world? Here are the three reasons for
suffering found in 1 Peter:

1. Sin
We live in a sin-cursed world. When Adam rebelled against God
way back in the garden of Eden, everything changed. Not only was
every human infected with a new sin nature but the entire
universe was altered. Romans 8 even says the earth itself is
groaning for the redemption that Christ will one day bring.
Natural disasters, death, and physical pain are not the way things
are supposed to be. Sometimes we go through suffering because
of the sin that affects the whole world (Romans 8:1822; 5:12),
because others sin against us (1 Peter 4:13; 3:18), or because
Satan has received reign over this world (1 Peter 5:8).

2. Salvation
Another reason we endure suffering is because of our
identification with Christ. We have been chosen by God to be
separated people living in a world of darkness (1 Peter 2:9).
Furthermore, we are strangers and pilgrims while in this life so

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naturally we will not always fit in or be liked (1 Peter 4:11-12).
Peter brings up the sufferings of Christ several times in this letter.
He clearly states that if we want to follow Christ, then we will
certainly experience some suffering. This comes by way of
persecution (1 Peter 2:12; 3:1416; 4:14, 16), chastening from
God when we sin (Hebrews 12:67), and testing from God to
make us better Christians (1 Peter 2:1920; 5:6. and no, this does
not contradict James 1!).

3. Self
The third explanation Peter gives as to why we experience
suffering is our own stupid self. Did you realize that 70% of
physical ailments are self-induced? So for every 100 hospital
rooms, 70 rooms are full of sick or hurt people who are enduring
trials because they caused it! Peter specifically mentions suffering
as a result of our own sinful deeds four times: 1 Peter 2:20; 3:10;
3:17; and 4:15.

Peters letter is not written in outline form like we are used to.
Rather, he gives a spiral argument throughout his letter. These
forms of suffering come up together at least four times
throughout his letter.

Here is Peters suggested response to suffering is submission

(more on this in the next section). He does not write this letter to
help us avoid or end suffering. He writes this letter to help us
suffer well, in a God-honoring way.

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How to Suffer Like Jesus.
As I detailed in the last section, 1 Peter is a letter written to
suffering people. Peter reveals three reasons for why Christians
suffer in this life: Sin, Salvation, and Self. His purpose in the letter
is to teach Christians how to suffer well. The key is submission.

These three forms of suffering come up at least four times (2:19

21; 3:1318; 4:1219; and 5:710). Here is one text with a great
outline for us:
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. (Reason for suffering:
We live in a SIN-cursed world) But rejoice insofar as
you share Christs sufferings, that you may also rejoice
and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are
insulted for the name of Christ, (Reason for suffering:
our SALVATION through 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. (Reason for suffering: our
own SELF) Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him
not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.
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

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 those who suffer according to Gods will entrust their
souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. (The
proper response: SUBMISSION)

1 Peter 4:1219

Read verse 19 again: Therefore let those who suffer according to

Gods will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing
good. Two things to note here:

1. Suffering Christians have to submit to God.

Peter writes ...entrust their souls to a faithful Creator. We can
respond to hardships in one of three ways: (A) Getting angry and
giving up on God; (B) Acting like the situation isnt really a big deal
and suppressing it with fake joy on our face; or (C) Face the pain
and trust God. Obviously, option C is a Christians proper
response. We would do well to pray Father, this is a tough trial,
but I want to learn whatever it is You want to teach me through
this, and be an example and witness to everyone I meet along the
way, giving glory to You no matter the outcome. Easy thing to
say when going through a hardship, huh? (No)

2. This submission is an active (or intentional)

submission.
Peter tells us to entrust ourselves to God while doing good. We
cant roll over and just let life happen to us. Let go and let God
is a deceiving quip - and not a part of Peters theology. We are to
grab our suffering by the horns and grow from it.

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Over and over, Peter points to Jesus as our supreme example of
how to handle suffering. So what was Jesus response to
hardships? Here are a few thoughts. Im sure you can come up
with many more.
(1) He loved his persecutors.
(2) He was patient with those who deserted him.
(3) He suffered joyfully [Hebrews 12:2].
(4) He held no hatred, took no revenge, offered no threats.
(5) He was never angry with God.
(6) He endured patiently.
(7) He accepted Gods will over his own [Matthew 26:39].
(8) He never returned evil for evil [1 Peter 3.9].

Jesus comes up over and over in this letter as our example of how
to suffer well. He pursued his crucifixion with a determined
attitude as he submitted to God and his tormentors. (see 1 Peter
2:2124; 3:18; 4:1; 4:1819).

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. 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.
1 Peter 2:2124

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 Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith,
who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross,
despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the
throne of God.
Hebrews 12:2

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Suffer Well

It is possible to suffer well. Jesus did. How can we?

We must actively submit to those causing our suffering.

In the previous three sections from 1 Peter, I explained that
suffering is a reality of this life. Peter tells us there are three
causes of our suffering: Sin, Salvation, and Self. Our response to
suffering is to submit to it, like Jesus did. For this section, we need
to understand that we are called to submit to those that cause
our suffering too.

Take 1 Peter 3:1 as an example. How does the wife of an

unbelieving and verbally abusive husband respond to suffering?
By submitting. Does this submission mean to become passive in
her conversations with her spouse? Should she whine and moan
to all her church friends about her horrible husband? Should she
seek divorce? Absolutely not. She is to submit to her husband, but
it is an active submission. She is to be the best wife she can
possibly be, going out of her way to be a godly spouse. Maybe the
husband will be influenced by her actions and convert to
Christianity as well. She may need to leave the relationships
temporarily to avoid physical harm, but for the purpose of healing
the relationship. Active submission.

1 Peter 2:18 is another great example. What do Christian slaves

do when they have pagan masters that mistreat them? Do they
hang their head low and just take it in silence? Do they try to run

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away like Onesimus did? Nope. Peter tells them to actively submit
to their masters and be the best servants they can possibly be.
Who knows - maybe the master will be influenced by the slaves
actions and convert to Christianity.

The proper response to suffering is to submit to it. Submit to God.

Submit to the pain. Submit to the people causing your pain. But
be active in how you submit, charging into it headfirst like your
Savior did. Here is a list of those Peter counsels us to submit to in
this letter:

(1) To Gentiles (or those outside the community of faith).

Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that
when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your
good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.
1 Peter 2:12
(2) To God.
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God
so that at the proper time he may exalt you.
1 Peter 5:6

(3) To Government and Authority.

Be subject for the Lords sake to every human institution,
whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as
sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those
who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good
you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live
as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up

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 for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the
brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
1 Peter 2:1317

(4) To Masters (speaking to mistreated slaves).

Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only
to the good and gentle but also to the unjust.
1 Peter 2:18

(5) To Husbands (speaking to mistreated wives).

Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even
if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a
word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your
respectful and pure conduct. Do not let your adorning be
externalthe braiding of hair and the putting on of gold
jewelry, or the clothing you wearbut let your adorning be
the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of
a gentle and quiet spirit, which in Gods sight is very precious.
For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to
adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands,as
Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her
children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is
frightening.
1 Peter 3:16

(6) To One Another.

Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly
love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.
1 Peter 3:8

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(7) To Elders.
So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a
witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the
glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God
that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion,
but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain,
but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but
being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd
appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe
yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for
God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.
1 Peter 5:15

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