In 1 Peter 4 v 18 -19 ,we read ,'if it is hard for the righteous to be saved. what will become of the ungodly and the sinner. So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their Creator and continue to do good'.The church that these words were written to,were suffering ( 4 v12 -13) So lets consider them,what these verses mean,'if it is hard for the righteous to be saved,'Edmund Clowney writes the following,' The word for hard means ' with difficulty'; it does not imply uncertainty of the outcome but the difficulty of the road that leads to it.' There is a refining process taking place in every Christians life ,through the sufferings and trials which they will experience.(1 v 6-7 / Job 23 v 10), In 4 v 12,Peter tells them,'Do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you'.Every day on Planet earth many of God's people are experiencing severe suffering,I read this recently ,'Around 45,000 believers have been killed by Islamists since 2009 in the North and middle belt of Nigeria'.If your a Christian in many countries you suffer, and that's a fact. Our Saviour said, 'in the world you should have tribulation,' (John 16 v 33) That word for tribulation can involve a multitude of things that comes to us in life,it comes with the territory,but our dear Saviour said,'But take heart! I have overcome the world'.In Romans 8 v37 we read,'In all these things( trouble,hardships or whatever) we are more than conquerors through Him(Jesus) who loved us'.
'Through many dangers ,toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis grace has brought me safe thus far
And grace will lead me home'.
( Words John Newton)
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