◄ What Does 1 Peter 4:16 Mean? ►

We have been eternally saved by grace through faith in the Person and Work of the Lord Jesus Christ. We are also kept by grace, through the power of the Most High God and are eternally secure, for there is no condemnation for those that are in Christ Jesus.

'LORD' is His regal and deathless title, for He is the Creator of the universe, the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last. He is the only true and living God Who alone is coequal with the Father; coeternal, consubstantial, and the essence of the omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent God.

'JESUS' is His human name, which was given to Him when He was born into the human race. The eternal God became the perfect Son of Man, when He was born of the virgin Mary. He is our gracious, Kinsman Redeemer, for only the shed blood of a perfect human being would redeem the fallen race of mankind and satisfy God's wrath against sin.

'CHRIST' reveals His mission, for He is the Anointed of God Who was sent as the promised Messiah of Israel and Saviour of the world. He is the Prophet greater than Moses, the Priest after the order of Melchizedek, and king David's greater Son. God accepted His sacrificial death and glorious Resurrection as the one and only payment for my sin, your sin, and the sin of the whole world.

The Lord Jesus Christ is the One Whom we worship and adore, for He has redeemed us by His blood and removed us forever from God's eternal condemnation. He has brought us into His own family and given us an eternal inheritance that is kept for us in heaven. And Peter reminds us: "If anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name."

The world hated the Lord Jesus without a cause, and that same hatred of Christ for His followers continues to this day. Paul reminds us that all who live godly will suffer persecution, while Jesus Himself told us that in this world we would be hated, mistreated, and killed by sinful men. But the apostle Peter gives us encouragement in this verse, by reminding us: "If anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name."

Peter points out that there is nothing shameful in trusting in Jesus, the only begotten Son of God. There is no disgrace in being a Christian, even though we may be despised by others for our faith, shunned by the world, deserted by carnally minded friends, shunned by family, abused by ungodly laws, or mocked by co-workers.

When we live godly lives, bear the rejection and unkind behaviour of others worthily, and when we suffer as a Christian, we are not to be ashamed of the gospel of God. Let us be willing to recognise that when the world persecutes God's children, we have the privilege of 'fellowshiping' in the suffering of Christ Who did so much for us, and in so doing, we glorify His holy name.

OH! we never share in His suffering on the Cross, when He paid for the sin of the world through the shedding of His own blood for our sake! He alone paid the full and eternal price for our sin, and it was paid once and for all. But when we suffer in this world because we are Christians and belong to Christ, we share in His earthly humiliation. When Christians are hated and persecuted, it is Christ Whom they hate and persecute, as Paul discovered on that road to Damascus. When we suffer in this world because of our faith we participate in His pain. Suffering for righteousness' sake brings eternal and lasting glory to our Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ Whom He sent.

May we never forget that when we suffer as a Christian, it is for Christ's sake that we suffer. May we never be ashamed of our great God and Saviour but rejoice that our suffering glorifies His holy name. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the Lord Jesus Christ and all that He has done for me. Thank You that in Him, I have eternal life and am secure in Your hands, no matter what I may have to suffer in this life. Thank You that by His blood, I have been fully and finally redeemed and forgiven of my sin. I pray that those who abuse me and cause me to suffer because of my faith in Jesus, may be convicted of their sin and come to a saving faith in Christ. Thank You that Your grace is sufficient for everything I may have to face. May my life bring honour to You. In Jesus' name, AMEN.