Devotionals

Bring Glory to God Through Suffering

by Dale Buchanan 
01/25/25
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Devotional #45 in 1 Peter

 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. (1 Peter 4:15-16 KJV)

 Suffering for wrongdoing is not suffering for Jesus. Peter was writing to relatively new Christians. Before salvation, many of them were guilty of these listed sins. Peter warns them not to continue. Murder or stealing should not be a part of any Christian’s life. Evil doing could be almost any type of sin, sometimes severe. A busybody is a self-appointed overseer in other people’s matters. (Most of us know people like that.)  All of these sins should be left behind. You are a new creation in Christ now that you are saved. Leave that “stuff” behind. 

 But if you are genuinely suffering as a Christian – that’s a different matter. A Christian in the first century would not bow down or participate in the common emperor worship of that day, nor did he worship any idols. He stood out like a sore thumb in a sin-darkened age. Paul admonishes, “Don’t be ashamed.”  You’re a child of the King of Kings. Stand tall and proud to serve the Lord. You are the recipient of the greatest possible blessing. You can glorify God through your suffering. 

 So, to sum it up, You’re a blood-bought Christian. Don’t think or act out the behavior of a sinner. Live a pure, godly life. You have the opportunity to bring glory to His Name through your suffering. Praise His Name!