1 Peter 4:12-16
Enduring temptation, various trials, the fellowship of His sufferings ... such language pervades the New Testament from the gospels through Revelation. Peter writes of “the fiery ordeal” which was to come for the testing of his readers.
Brothers and sisters, the Lord Jesus did not call us to a picnic nor to relax on the beach. He called us TO WAR!!! He would not array us in battle armor (Ephesians 6:10-18) and then expect us to sit under a shade tree and sip iced tea. Jesus and the apostles regularly found themselves in skirmishes and even fully pitched battles against the forces of evil. That fight continues down to this very day!
Hast thou no scar?
No hidden scar on foot, or side, or hand?
I hear thee sung as mighty in the land,
I hear them hail thy bright ascendant star,
Hast thou no scar?
Hast thou no wound?
Yet I was wounded by the archers, spent,
Leaned Me against a tree to die; and rent
By ravening beasts that compassed me,
I swooned;
Hast thou no wound?
No wound? No scar?
Yet, as the Master shall the servant be,
And pierced are the feet that follow Me;
But thine are whole; can he have followed far
Who has no wound or scar?
– Amy Carmichael
“If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.”
><> Jeff