Trust & Obey (God’s Grace in Suffering)

By Pastor Alex Ruelo

1 Peter 11-9 says, “This letter is from Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ. I am writing to God’s chosen people who are living as foreigners in the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. God the Father knew you and chose you long ago, and his Spirit has made you holy. As a result, you have obeyed him and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ. May God give you more and more grace and peace. All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see. So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.”

‭‭

This letter was ritten by someone else, not Peter. He was a fisherman therefore, he may not have known how to write, thus his “secretary.” When Peter wrote this, the Christians duriing that time were under persecution. They were tortured, stoned, crucified and so many other things. He was encouring them when he wrote this. It is the same thing nowadays - Christians are still being persecuted, but on a highly different level.

In the verses that we read, we can learn many things.

1. Suffering is a part of life. (V. 6-7) Everybody goes through suffering, believers and non-believers alike, young and old, all people from all walks of life. Why are we surprised when suffering comes? The verse says we will go through many trials. It is in plural form. If you overcome one trial today, you might not kow when the next one will come. But it is only for a little while. It is not forever. There is a purpose for every trial we go through. It strengthens our faith and demonstrates our genuineness.

2. God’s plan is sovereign. (V. 2) From the beginning of time, God already knows what is going to happen to everybody. He knows what he is doing and He only has the best plans for us. His plans are not because of the things we do. Everything is pre-planned already, no matter the choices we make.

3. Salvation is our foundation. (V. 3-5) It is because of God’s mercy that we have been born again. Who does not care if they go to heaven or not one day? Of course everybody wants to go to heaven but you cannot pay for your entrance there. Everybody is holding onto their salvation. That is our ticket to paradise.

4. The Trinity works together. (V. 2) God is 3 in 1. God is changing us all the time; we are being sanctified. He removes all the things that can destroy us. We have been ceansed by the precious blood of Jesus Christ. Now it is the Holy Spirit’s job to cleanse us. You have two choices - either you walk away from God or you struggle for a long time

How do you apply these things in your life today?

1. Trust God’s sovereignity. When facing challenges, trust that God is in control and working everything out for our good. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” God is molding us to His purpose. Everytime we miss the mark and commit sin, God continuously tries to “fix” us so things will work together for our good.

2. Find strength in suffering. If suffering is part of life, then we should find strenght in it. Romans 5:3-5 says, “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” Trials is not bad. When we run into problems, enjoy it. It will develop endurance and strength of character which, in turn, strengthens our hope of salvation. 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 says, “We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.” What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.

3. Hold onto salvation. 2 Timothy 1:12 says, “That is why I am suffering here in prison. But I am not ashamed of it, for I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until the day of his return.” Let your salvation guide you in everything you go through. Allow God to lead you in all of life’s trials and challenges. Do not give up because one day it will all become clear. romans 8:38-39 says, “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Nothinng can separate us from the love of God ever.

4. Live with confidence. Philippians 1:6 says, “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” Because we are all God’s children, we are secure in His plans. Live with confidence that He will carry us through each season. Trust that He can take care of everything for you.Allow God to see you through.