Monday, March 24, 2025
Scripture Readings
- Primary Reading: 1 Peter 4
- Secondary Reading: Psalms 35
Key Verse
1 Peter 4:10 — “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”
Devotional Thought
Peter writes to scattered believers in Asia Minor who have already learned that following Christ can cost them their standing in the community. In chapter four he calls them to arm themselves with the same mind Christ had in His suffering—a resolve that suffering in the flesh marks the end of sin’s mastery. He names their former life plainly: lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, abominable idolatries. Their old companions now think it strange that they no longer run with them to the same excess of riot, and they speak evil of them for it. Peter does not soften this. He simply reminds them that the end of all things is at hand, and so they must be sober and watch unto prayer.
Then he turns to the life of the church itself. Above all things, fervent charity, for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. Hospitality without grudging. Every man ministering his gift as a steward of the manifold grace of God. The one who speaks must speak as the oracles of God; the one who serves must serve with the ability God gives—so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. This is what a suffering church looks like from the inside: not grim, but generous.
Peter then addresses the fiery trial directly. Do not think it strange, he says, as though some strange thing happened unto you. Rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye. Yet he draws a careful line: let none suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or a busybody in other men’s matters. Suffering as a Christian is another matter entirely—there, do not be ashamed, but glorify God. Judgment must begin at the house of God, and if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly appear? So let those who suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.
Psalm 35 gives voice to the same experience from another age. David pleads his cause before the LORD against those who strive with him, asking God to take hold of shield and buckler and stand up for his help. False witnesses rise up; his enemies reward him evil for good. Yet he had mourned for them when they were sick, humbled his soul with fasting, behaved himself as though they had been his friend or brother. Now in his adversity they rejoice and gather against him. He does not avenge himself. He cries, “Lord, how long wilt thou look on?” and commits the matter to the One who sees.
We read these words in late March, when Lent is deepening toward the cross and the world around us is beginning to stir with spring. The temptation is to measure our faith by how comfortable it makes us. Peter and David both measure it differently—by faithfulness under trial, by love that covers sins, by a soul that commits itself to a faithful Creator. That is the mind of Christ, and it is the mind we are called to arm ourselves with today.
Reflection
- When your old companions or neighbors think it strange that you no longer run with them, do you respond with resentment, or with the fervent charity Peter commands—charity that covers a multitude of sins?
- If you are suffering now, is it because of faithfulness to Christ, or because you have been a busybody in other men’s matters? Are you willing to let God search that difference in you?
Prayer
Father, we come to You as the faithful Creator to whom Your people have committed their souls in well doing. Search us and know our hearts. Where we have suffered for our own folly, humble us; where we suffer for the name of Christ, let us not be ashamed, but glorify You. Clothe us with fervent charity that covers a multitude of sins, and make us good stewards of the manifold grace You have given. When the fiery trial comes, keep us sober and watchful unto prayer, rejoicing that we are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, until His glory is revealed. Amen.
Psalm Verse
Psalms 35:1 — “Plead my cause, O LORD, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me.”