Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to His great mercy, He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and into an inheritance that is imperishable, uncorrupted, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.
You are being protected by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. You rejoice in this, though now for a short time you have had to struggle in various trials so that the genuineness of your faith—more valuable than gold, which perishes though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. – 1 Peter 1:3-7
The Christians Peter addressed were facing severe persecution. Betrayal, exile, prison, threats to life and livelihood were the burdens of these believing fathers, mothers, sons, and daughters were enduring. Peter had heard Jesus speak often of the suffering all true Believers would endure then and will endure today, just as we read of in the Gospels.
Christians with true faith in Christ understand that we do not suffer for nothing, though we see those who don't know Him suffer both in sin and in vain. Our suffering is for God’s glory and our good, for we suffer for Christ's sake, which serves as our life’s testimony to His worth and as the proof of the faith, trust, and love we have in Him.
Peter knew that Christ was in control of all things as he wrote this epistle; just as Christ was in control even as He intentionally and willingly the planned humiliation, betrayal, and pain on the cross for our sake.
Unbelievers are left in futility to try and suppress or drown out their hopeless state. Folks will medicate, drink, work, exercise, binge, starve, busy, and stress themselves into addictions, shattered lives, and physical and mental breakdowns. The result is that the original disease of fear and despair remains with people - and is now compounded and aggravated by the results of the worldly 'cures'.
God sees believers as His children, burdened with loads that surpass our strength. He stands prepared to take our loads and burdens, carry them for us, giving us strength to endure while the rage and sin of the world overwhelm and shatter the hearts and souls of those around us who don’t know Him.
Receive your Savior. Receive from Him the strength, support, and everlasting restoration that are given to all who love Him.
Now the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will personally restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little. The dominion belongs to Him forever. Amen. – 1 Peter 5:10-11
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