1 Peter 4:12-19
1 Peter 4:12–19 (ASV)
12Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial among you, which cometh upon you to prove you, as though a strange thing happened unto you: 13but insomuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, rejoice; that at the revelation of his glory also ye may rejoice with exceeding joy. 14If ye are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are ye; because the Spirit of glory and the Spirit of God resteth upon you. 15For let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evil-doer, or as a meddler in other men’s matters: 16but if a man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this name. 17For the time is come for judgment to begin at the house of God: and if it begin first at us, what shall be the end of them that obey not the gospel of God? 18And if the righteous is scarcely saved, where shall the ungodly and sinner appear? 19Wherefore let them also that suffer according to the will of God commit their souls in well-doing unto a faithful Creator.
Scripture Testimony Index stories for this passage
When G. H. Lang was asked by his manager at work to write a claim that he knew to be false. With wisdom that was clearly from God, he found grace to respectfully disagree with his boss and to do the right thing. From that day on, he won the complete trust of his boss, and was given many more responsibilities.
Chinese believers are suffering, not for any common crime; but for their faith in Jesus. Yet through it all, they show no bitterness but love for their country.
The Wang-chang-lings though uneducated, were committed to Christ Jesus and suffered greatly for Him. And even as they went through persecutions, the wife remained cheerful; couldn't stop herself from singing and the husband testified not of God never leaving him, but rather of His providing a means of escape. They remained in the faith until their transition to everlasting life.
Colonel Paschkoff was a devoted follower of Jesus, an influential and wealthy man who served as officer of the Imperial Guards of Russia. For his insistence on evangelizing to his friends and family, he was banished by Emperor Alexandar III for the first time from Russia and banished the second time for forever because he would just not stop doing the Master's bidding.
Asia Bibi was imprisoned for defending her faith and declaring the Lordship of Jesus. And even in prison, Asia refused to deny her Lord in exchange for freedom. She was ready to suffer and to suffer for the right cause!
Having renounced idolatry for Christianity, Feng conscientiously refused to pay a tax levied for idolatrous purposes. But his refusal brought very fierce persecution upon him. He was bound, beaten and even arrested but he held his ground.
After she accepted the Lord Jesus and became a Christian, a woman became the object of her husband's persecution. Most brutally, he verbally abused her, and opposed her newfound faith.
Wang Ming-Dao lied to gain his freedom from prison but soon turned himself in to the Police for rearrest upon realizing that he had betrayed his faith. Though he was rearrested and sentenced to life imprisonment, Wang obtained God's mercy and found grace to bear his cross with a changed heart.
After a new year's day sermon at Wiggensbach by Martin Boos that led several people to the feet of the Saviour, a great wave of persecution began and Marin had to escape the town by night. The new converts too were not left out as they suffered many cruel things for their new faith.
For their faith, believers in a county near Tsingtau were routinely persecuted and imprisoned. When a believer called Han Wu was waylaid by his unbelieving neighbors and beaten almost to the point of death, his response was asked how much he was suffering was, “Nothing like my Lord suffered for me.”
