1st Peter 4:12-19 COMPANIONS IN SUFFERING With words of endearment for those children of God who are called upon to suffer for their faith in Christ, Peter address them as "beloved." It is not a "strange thing" for unbelievers to oppose and persecute Christians. "All that will godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution," Paul wrote. Our Lord Jesus said when people insult, persecute and speak evil against believers, they will be blessed. It is in the testing times of suffering; God's strength is made perfect in our weakness. Hardship and trouble, strengthens our faith.
"Partakers of Christ's sufferings" means that suffering saints have something in common with our Savior. His sufferings were to atone for our sins. Any suffering we may be called to pass through is because we have been forgiven of our sins, and those in darkness "hate the light because their deeds are evil." Our "rejoicing" presently is that of the joy of seeing a light shining in darkness. The "exceeding joy" in the future revelation of Christ's glory, is the overwhelming joy of seeing accomplished that for which we have longed. We share as companions with Christ the experience of suffering now. We will share the "joy that was set before Him" in the future. Our joy will be beyond normal joy as we see Him in His glory.