1 Peter 4:12-19 Suffering Differently (Part 2 of 3)
[First Things]
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Make sure to catch our latest podcast with Dr. Stephen Presley on “Cultural Sanctification.” We will have Dr. Anthony Bradley in our next episode, discussing the impact of trauma on flourishing.
[THE DEVO] Christian Suffering Conforms Us to Christ
1 Peter 4:12-19 Suffering Differently (Part 2 of 3)
1 Peter 4:12-19 12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And“If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” And if the righteous are being saved with difficulty, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear? 19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.”
A well-known children’s song from church proclaims,
I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy,
Down in my heart,
(Where?) Down in my heart,
(Where?) Down in my heart;
I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy,
Down in my heart,
Down in my heart to stay!
This echoes another, older song, sung for millennia,
Praise the Lord!
Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens!
2 Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness!
3 Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp!
4 Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe!
5 Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
6 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Psalm 150
That is a lot of praise and joy!
Yet, as servants and leaders in the public square are well aware, working towards life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness does not always motivate such sentiment. Instead, it often brings suffering.
The Obstacle of Shame
Perhaps one of the most powerful motivations for trying to end unjust suffering is ending the public shame that often comes with it. No one wants to experience shame. Shame makes us feel humiliated, insignificant, and isolated. When we are identified with Christ, we are likely to suffer the ridicule of those around us who are not following Christ, often when our ideological positions and ethics do not conform to those celebrated by the present culture at large or even our localized demographic. So, in an effort to avoid shame, we shrink from our call to live fully as Christians. This can include not doing or speaking what we should, as well as doing and speaking what we should not. Those in more liturgical churches are likely familiar with the Confession of Sin from the Book of Common Prayer,
Most merciful God,
We confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed,
by what we have done, and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbours as ourselves.
We are truly sorry, and we humbly repent.
For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us;
that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name.
Amen.
So often, our sin against God is motivated by avoiding shame. But the reality is that avoiding suffering actually robs us of God’s goal of conforming us to Christ and, subsequently, overwhelming and replacing shame with joy. This is certainly what Peter has in mind when he writes, “13But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.”
Peter wants the reader to respond differently in the midst of suffering. Over and over again, throughout his letter, Peter has addressed the issue of shame because shame is powerful. But how can Peter make a connection between the shame that comes from suffering and a response of glorifying God?
Those familiar with the public square will certainly understand the phrase, fiery trial. I love this image of the fiery trial because it does two things. First, it presents the suffering as painful and hard to endure. It is not some minor thing, or a slight bump in the hallway, or an odd stare at work. Moreover, we are told, fiery trials are to be avoided at all costs because of the negative impact they can have on the individual, the party, and even the agenda. In Washington, fiery trials can occur within an office or agency, but can also work their way into the public eye when the fiery trial of a news cycle pursues ratings while producing shame - and certainly not joy. The second aspect of the fiery trial imagery, and the one that allows us to embrace the call to suffer differently, is that it also, intentionally, conjures up an image of a refiner's fire.
The Work of Suffering
In Malachi, we read this familiar passage,
“Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. 2 But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap. 3 He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the Lord.” Malachi 3:1-:3
The refiner's fire was used to burn off the impurities in metal, to strengthen it, and to conform it for service. This is why the connection to Christ’s suffering at the hands of the Pharisees, the Sadducees, the Sanhedrin, the Roman rulers, and even some of his followers matters. We are not being asked to endure anything that Jesus did not endure. As Hebrews 5:8-10 tells us
“8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. 9 And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, 10 being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.”
Unless there is some endgame in suffering, it is difficult to see how we can move from shame to rejoicing. Yet, the reality is that we cannot be conformed into the image of Christ without suffering. It is through suffering that our impurities are burned off. Impurities such as the desire to repay evil for evil through gossip and slander, holding on to a wrong for so long that it becomes a part of your identity, embracing the caustic passions of the flesh like malice, greed, envy, gossip, and idol-making. Those impurities matter everywhere, and when they are present in the lives of those serving and leading in the public square, they hinder the pursuit of flourishing.
This is exactly what Miroslav Volf is thinking about when he writes that it is through suffering we come to “replace the anger of frustration with the joy of expectation.” Another way of saying that is “through suffering, we are conformed into the image of Christ.” Consider the example of the suffering Christ spoken of in Hebrews,
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1–2
In God’s providence, unjust suffering is not pointless but meaningful and formative. In fact, unjust suffering equips us to flourish as we participate in Christ’s mission of making all things new. We are strengthened to take up the righteous cause of the minority opinion, to persevere in the face of opposition, and to do it again and again.
It is to this final aspect of suffering, the eschatological hope of its end, and the subsequent glory, that we next turn.
Application questions
How does the possibility of public shame affect your decision-making process at work? How does altering that process impact your Christian witness?
How have you been refined (strengthened) through past suffering? How has this refining (strengthening) impacted your life as a Christian? How has it impacted your roles as a servant or leader in the public square?
[Faithful Prayer]
Cabinet Agency: The servants and leaders at the Treasury Department, and Secretary Bassent as the Office of Management and Budget, the White House, and Congress, work towards a Continuing Resolution.
Think Tank, Lobby group, NGO: The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, as they seek to advance state and federal policies to help build a nation where everyone has the resources they need to thrive and share in the nation’s prosperity.
Weekly delegation: The servants and leaders with the congressional delegation of Utah in the wake of the assassination of Charlie Kirk, and as justice on his behalf is pursued.
News events: Treasury Secretary Bassent is in Spain and the UK this week to meet with world leaders to discuss key national security, economic, and trade issues of mutual interest, including TikTok and cooperating on threatening money laundering networks.
Personal requests: For many in the administration and on the Hill who have been deeply affected by the assassination of Charlie Kirk and its potential for deeper division within the country. For a long-tenured senior agency leader who has taken an early retirement. For a senior-level political appointee who was dismissed from their position last week. For a policy advisor who recently had a very difficult conversation with a family member. For a Hill-staffer who continues work on a key piece of economic legislation. For a senior university researcher who recently received two important grants from an agency that will have a profound impact on public health.
[The Page, The Pod & The Stack]
READ this FIRST → Rev. Robert Sircio at the Acton Institute submits this short essay in response to the death of Charlie Kirk, underscoring the dangerous rise of political violence in America, fueled by polarization and the dehumanization of opponents.
Our friends at the Center for Public Justice released a new article on the intersection of the welfare and the juvenile justice systems, authored by one of their interns, Acacia Tripplett.
Christianity Today published this encouraging piece by Kelly Kapic, author of the 2025 devotional, You Were Never Meant to Do It All, on efficiency and the patience of God.
Comment Magazine released this short memoir by Christina Ray Stanton in remembrance of the attacks on 9/11, twenty-four years ago.
The Lakelight Institute released this practical article by Earnest CEO Rick Altizer on how servant leaders with a biblical worldview can guide organizations through setbacks with love and resilience.
[What’s Happening?]
This Week
Tuesday, September 16, 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm EDT, The Heritage Foundation hosts a hybrid event, Ben Shapiro on the True Story of America (and Her Critics) for a high-impact discussion to unpack the cultural, political, and moral struggles defining our age and to chart a path forward.
Wednesday, September 17, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm EDT, the American Enterprise Institute hosts an online event, When AI Feels Human: The Peril of Digital Empathy, exploring the intersection of AI, human connection, and empathy.
Thursday, September 18, 6 pm - 9 pm EDT, The Institute on Religion and Democracy is having a film viewing and discussion on the 1995 crime drama film“Dead Man Walking.”
Thursday, September 18, 6 pm - 9 pm EDT, the Center for American Progress has added an online event, Securing American Democracy: A Conversation With Sen. Adam Schiff, as part of CAP’s “What’s Next: Conversations on the Path Forward” series.
Friday, September 19, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm EDT, Faith and Law will host an in-person panel Religious Liberty and Parental Opt-Outs: School Choice at the Supreme Court looking at the Mahmoud decision and what it means for the future of parental rights and religious freedom from three perspectives: a parent who had to school his child’s own school board, a litigator who worked on the case, and school choice public policy expert.
Saturday, September 20, The H Street Festival will feature live music, dance performances, family-friendly activities, contests, and plenty of food vendors across its many staging areas, with dozens of businesses participating.
Next week
Monday, September 22, 10:00 am - 11:00 am EDT, Brookings Institution is hosting the president and chief executive officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of St Louis, Alberto Musalem, for a hybrid event to share his thoughts on the trajectory of the U.S. economy and monetary policy.
Wednesday, September 24, 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm EDT, the Bipartisan Policy Center is hosting a hybrid event, Gaming Out the GSEs’ Exit from Conservatorship: Process, Policy, and Potential Pitfalls to discuss potential exit strategies, likely challenges, the potential timeline for action, and the implications of ending of the conservatorship of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac—for mortgage markets, the federal budget, and the broader economy.
Thursday, September 25, 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm EDT, the Urban Institute has a hybrid event, Untangling a Complex Problem: Preserving Housing Wealth for Vulnerable Owners through Technology and Estate Planning, to discuss the importance of estate planning as a wealth preservation tool, the opportunities presented by adopting technology, and the potential challenges, particularly as deeper technological penetration might intersect with the digital divide.
Friday, September 26, 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm EDT, The Trinity Forum hosts William Inboden in an online event exploring the roles of education, community, and faith in forming wisdom, integrity, and the development of character.
The Rodgers & Hammerstein classic, The Sound of Music, directed by Jack O’Brien, is at the Kennedy Center from now until October 5th!
[Two Thumbs Up! Music, Movie, Book, Restaurant, Experience] Hiking in Rock Creek Park
One of the best-kept secrets of our nation’s capital is that it contains over 32 miles of exceptional paved and unpaved hiking, running, and cycling trails that can provide a short and leisurely stroll or a fairly strenuous and lengthy hike over uneven ground, and everything in between.
Rock Creek National Park was established 135 years ago and boasts well-maintained trails, great scenery, and a quiet oasis in the midst of a chaotic city. Some trails will take you deep into the woods, a few will test your balance on cliffside paths, and others will take you along the beautiful Rock Creek. There are short 1-2 hour hikes and 5-6 hour loops. If you plan your loop properly, you can even take a break at a nearby bakery (Fresh Baguette), restaurant (Cracked Eggery or 3321 Bistro), or pub (Red Derby or Morelands Tavern). Outside the park, some trails run all the way up to Rockville, MD.
With fall coming, Rock Creek Park offers an exceptional palette of colors and always offers old forts, bridges, playgrounds, and hidden relics.
Great news, this weekend and next week, Rock Creek Park is celebrating its annual Rock Creek Day, this year over four days - September 20-21 and 27-28, 2025, and will include a one-of-a-kind celebration: Punk Rocks!
[Last Things]
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