Deeper ReflectionPETER GAVE TO HIS FLOCK THAT WAS SUFFERING FOR
their faith this pastoral word: “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” (1 Pet 4:12). Discipleship suffering is
a key emphasis in disciplemaking for the early church: “strengthening
the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith,
and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom
of God” (Acts 14:22). Mark the words,
“we must”, which speak of the
divine “must”. Suffering is a necessity and an inevitability in biblical
discipleship. No one enjoys suffering, but we must expect it. Mark also
the words, “
many tribulations”.Paul gave similar emphasis in discipling the Thessalonians – even when
they were new in the faith: “we are
destined for this” (v.3). The word
“destined” is in the passive voice, which points to the divine passive:
We are
“destined” by God for suffering. We talk about our destiny,
assuming that it is in the Lord and from the Lord. Surely, suffering is
included in our destiny, whatever it may be. Do we have this in mind
consciously? Paul taught the Thessalonians that tribulation is not just
a possibility, but “the Christian’s destiny”
11. And as a critical necessity,
Paul “kept telling” them “beforehand” about this (v.4), that is, “over and
again” he “returned to this theme”
12 of Christian suffering. Do we keep
talking about this to ourselves and in discipling others as reminders, so
that we may be prepared for our “destined” discipleship suffering?
11 Gary S. Shogren, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Zondervan, 2012), 137
12 Gene L. Green, The Letters to the Thessalonians, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Apollos, 2002), 162
