Cause & Origin Investigations

1 Peter 4:12-19

Fire can be immensely painful and ruinous especially when it results in the loss of physical life.  The natural inclination is to try to avoid such a hazard although to save a life one might risk it all.  Most will try to prevent deadly fires but there are a few who actually like to start them.  When serious fires occur, cause and origin fire investigations are conducted to determine the facts surrounding them. 

In our text this week, Peter writes to remind Christians to expect painful suffering in our lives as we share in the mission of following Jesus.  The fiery trials Peter is addressing are not a result of our own wrongdoing but come as persecution for the good work of sharing the gospel truth about Jesus.  Incredible encouragement is provided by God’s Spirit of glory as it rests upon Christians.  It is greater than anything else in this world and has the power to help us persevere through any test.

Another thing I’ve come to learn about big fires is that they can draw big crowds.  It’s no different in our suffering as Christians, the bigger the test the greater the witness we have to a watching world.  Suffering will come to all of us but no Christian should purposely be the cause of that suffering on someone else.  Instead, the fiery trials are another opportunity for us and the world to investigate the cause and origin of the LIVING HOPE that is in us and available to all.  In any trial, we can know that our Savior is holding on to us as we go through it.  Our faith can endure because Jesus Christ lives.   

In the serious trials, may each of us hold onto Jesus like we know He holds onto us.  Let us continue His rescue mission where we risk all together with Him for a world of people in need of saving.  And while we go through pain, may we find greater faith in Christ to carry us through.  Because of God’s steadfast love and resurrection power revealed through Jesus, we can trust in our eternal Creator who is faithful to us for the promise of eternal life.

Grateful & Hopeful in Christ,

Jon