Day 36: 1st Peter - 1st John 1 Opening Reflection
In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith – being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire…
In this… what is THIS? THIS (in the verse above) is the faith we should have as a result of Jesus dying on the Cross for us.
In this…
· We should prepare our minds for action
· Discipline ourselves
· Be compassionate
· Be humble
· Not repay evil with evil
· Long for the pure, spiritual milk
Jesus suffered as well, but our prescribed text tells us – “for it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God’s will, than to suffer for doing evil. For CHRIST also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to GOD.”
Peter, who wants all to know that he is giving an eye witness account of Jesus not myths and creative stories, is trying to tell us to accept suffering and count it all joy for just like the rather new R&B/rap song by Fabulous/Neyo – Suffering in the name of Jesus Christ – YOU MAKE ME BETTER!!!
For the struggle is only as good as long as you continue to endure but once you begin your struggle and then revert back to your old ways you have now become worse than when you began.
How long when you have to suffer?
The text says a day with the Lord is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day – but if you suffer for one day how much better will it be to reap you blessing for multiple days – thousands of years…
Because we are still yet sinners, we cause much suffering for ourselves. How much better would it be, however, if we stop deceiving ourselves, become truthful, and confess our sins while walking in the light as Jesus did? For if we confess our sins The Lord who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. When that happens our struggle will not be in vein…
