…because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
Summary: All Saints Sunday reminds us of those who have gone before and been martyred for their faith. We also remember those who are suffering for the faith today. Peter encourages us to continue our suffering knowing that we are not alone.
Last Sunday was All Saints Sunday, a day commemorating Christian martyrs. It is appropriate that today’s passage should follow on the heels of such a day. Since Christ ascended to heaven, believers have been subjected to abuse by those in the world.
When Peter says, “the family of believers … is undergoing the same kind of sufferings” he refers to two kinds of suffering; the suffering of the living and the suffering of martyrs.
Intellectually, we might ponder the irony of one kind of suffering being better than the other. We might also argue, in good faith, about which kind is best. But the reality is that suffering is suffering. Whether we suffer because of the flesh or because of persecution, following Jesus involves making a choice every minute of every day. Sometimes those choices involve suffering.
In a perfect world, our loving God is loved by all. There is no dissent, there is no reason to become frustrated or angry. No one gets hurt, and nobody hurts anybody else. Someday that is the world that we will live in, but for now, we live in a sinful, broken world. It is full of hurt and overflowing with suffering.
If you have seen the movie, “Princess Bride,” you might remember the Man in Black telling Princess Buttercup, “Life is pain, Highness. Anyone who says differently is selling something.” Indeed, Satan is always trying to “sell us” something that turns us away from our God. As Peter says, it is our job to “resist him, standing firm in the faith.”
That is our lot in life. To believe in the one God sent to redeem us from Satan’s grasp. To follow Him where he leads. To choose truth over lies (1 Peter 1:22), hope over despair (1 Peter 1:3), love over hate (1 Peter 1:8, 22; 2:17; 3:8, 10; 4:8), and suffering over self indulgence (1 Peter 2:21, 23; 3:7, 17-18; 4:1, 13, 15, 16, 19; 5:9-10).
Application: Pray for those who are suffering for the faith around the world.
Food for Thought: Who do you include in the ”family of believers?”
Thank you for a very good devotion. I appreciate the summary of 1 Peter in the last paragraph. And any reference to the Princess Bride is always a classic 😉.
I include anyone in the family of believers who have sincerely placed their hope in Christ. They are in the family because they have been born again through spiritual renewal (Many verses come to mind, but John 1: 12 – 13 sum it up well).
I agree with Rich but would like to add many more to the family of believers as I can by sharing the faith.
Who do you include in the ”family of believers?”
The entire Church.
Matthew 12:48-50, But Jesus answered the one who was telling Him and said, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers?” And stretching out His hand toward His disciples, He said, “Behold My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother.”
Luke 8:21, But He answered and said to them, “My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it.”