1 Peter 4:11

1 Peter 4:11 says, If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.  Peter tells us that everything we say and do should be said and done under the leadership of God.  We are to use the abilities that God gives us for His honor and glory though our obedience to Jesus Christ.  Verse twelve adds, Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:  Peter does not say that fiery trials may try us, but that they will.  If we have not encountered any fiery trials in the world, it may be that we are too much like the world for anyone to recognize us as followers of Christ.  Verse thirteen continues, But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.  Peter tells us that we are to rejoice in our suffering for Christ.  Still, not all suffering is for Christ, and we should never seek to suffer simply as a sign of our faithfulness.  We are also told that if do suffer because of our faith in Christ that we will also rejoice with exceeding joy when He returns victorious.  Verse fourteen declares, If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part, he is glorified.  Peter says if we are reproached for our faith that we should be happy, because the Spirit of the glory of God rests on us.  We too often moan and complain that the world is not fair to us as Christians, but God says when this happens, we are to rejoice.  Verse fifteen adds, But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.  Peter calls on us as followers of Christ to not be guilty of breaking the law or of causing trouble for someone else, and therefore suffer punishment.  Verse sixteen continues, Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.  Peter then returns to suffering for our Christian faith.  When this happens, we are to not be ashamed.  There is never a time when we should feel down if we suffer for Christ.  Verse seventeen declares, For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?  Peter said the time had come for judgment to begin and it was to begin in the house of God.  The house of God was corrupted by those who were supposed to be His people, and Jesus Christ came to bring the people of God to Him once more in spirit and truth and not in name only.  Verse eighteen adds, And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?  Peter said if the righteous, or those who were called God's people, could barely be saved, what was to happen to the ungodly and the sinners, or those who were not called God's people.  The answer to salvation for both groups is faith in Jesus Christ.  Verse nineteen concludes, Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.  Peter calls on those who suffer for their faith to continue in their faith.   If we suffer for our obedience to God, then God keeps our souls safe in His hand.