Let's look at verse thirteen. 1 Peter 4:13 "but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy." It is not always easy to rejoice when we are persecuted, is it. No one likes to be ridiculed, mocked, imprisoned or even called upon to face death. But in this passage Peter gives us reasons to rejoice. ~ First he says rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings. Christ was rejected by men because He lived and proclaimed the righteousness and salvation of God. When we suffer for following Christ, for living and proclaiming the righteousness and salvation of God, we are sharing in Christ's suffering. We are denying ourselves and suffering for God and His righteousness just as Christ did. We become identified with Christ, associated with Him in the deepest devotion possible, the very sacrifice of ourselves for the cause of God and His glorious salvation. ~ Second Peter tells us that no matter how great our sufferings may be, we can look forward to the time of Christ's return, when His glory shall be revealed. Peter goes on to say we will be glad with exceeding joy.
My friend, As we go through trials, we can have joy because we know that God is working out the circumstances for our good. We know that whatever suffering we are going through now will only be for a little while because Christ is going to return and take us home to be with him. Sometimes we have postponed pleasures. We pay a price today in order to have enjoyments in the future. For example, when you have not exercised for a while, it is hard to go out and walk on the treadmill or lift those weights; it’s painful; but if we keep our mind on the goal of getting fit we can continue on and receive the reward in the end. As Christians we may suffer now for the sake of Christ, but one day we will live with God forever.
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