THE PILGRIM'S SUFFERING AND THE GLORY OF GOD. 1st Peter 4:1-19 The word “therefore” follows the parenthesis of 3:19-22 and ties to the words of 3:18 regarding the suffering and sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring us to God. The unjust suffering of the Just One has brought good to millions of people who were unjust. His suffering included physical suffering in His body, suffering in His soul, and suffering in His spirit. As believers, we are to have the same attitude and willingness to do the Father’s will. We belong to the Lord Jesus Christ and need to be prepared to face injustice and abuse, willing to accept what comes because of the good results that can come from it.
Suffering enables us to keep our lives in order and our priorities straight. When a person’s life is in jeopardy, almost everything else that seemed important to us becomes insignificant. The outcome of suffering often brings an increase in sanctification, prompting us to do those things that we know please God and further the work of His kingdom. When the results of suffering become real to us, we will cease to allow sin “to reign in our mortal bodies” and control us.
The sufferings Christ endured were certainly unjust. Those who accused Him before Pilate included false witnesses who could not even agree on their accusations. Four times, Pilate declared Him innocent, knowing it was out of envy that the Jews wanted Him crucified. His righteous, holy life and the blessings He bestowed on others through His words and deeds exposed the religious hypocrisy and sinful motives of those who made Him suffer. Despite all men did to Him, the Lord Jesus Christ did not retaliate but "endured the cross, despising the shame." "Father, forgive them" were words He spoke that demonstrated His love for us and the provisions of grace He provided for us. The same attitude He showed toward those who persecuted Him while He suffered is expected of those who suffer today.