We can expect to be persecuted because we have hope in Christ.

Throughout the history of the church, Christians have suffered for their faith. At different times and places, persecution against Christians has turned violent and deadly. Even today, in certain places in the world, Christians face imprisonment, harassment from government officials, loss of their homes and possessions, or threats to their lives.

Here in the United States and Canada, the suffering we endure for our faith is usually ridicule and insults. We uphold a moral standard that is labeled as "old-fashioned." We confess biblical truths that are regarded as "intolerant" or "unscientific." The media denounces Bible-believing Christians as "crackpots" and strives to marginalize the church's voice.

This shouldn't surprise us. In the beginning, after the fall into sin, God said enmity exists between the devil's offspring (unbelievers) and the offspring of Eve (believers). Jesus told his disciples, "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me" (Matthew 5:11).

The original readers of Peter's first letter endured suffering because they were Christians. They were shunned, ridiculed, and insulted because they believed in Jesus. This persecution seemed to wear them down. Perhaps they were questioning their faith because they were suffering for their faith.

We might be tempted to wonder if our faith is really worth being publicly ridiculed by the media. Is being a Christian worth insults from "friends," coworkers, and even family? Peter's words give us encouragement. "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. . . . If you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name" (1 Peter 4:12-14,16).

Rejoice that we are suffering? Yes, when it is "because of the name of Christ." We are glorifying God because the persecution we endure shows that we belong to God. Blessed when insulted? Yes, "if you suffer as a Christian." Because we belong to God, we know that we will be "overjoyed when his glory is revealed." We have the sure hope of eternal life in Christ.

That hope is what enables us to endure the persecution we face in this sinful world. Persecution may not be as painful as at some times and places. But it is real. It can hurt. Instead of giving up or giving in, let us "commit [ourselves] to [our] faithful Creator and continue to do good" (1 Peter 4:19). Let us see how God uses the suffering we endure for the sake of Christ to turn us back to his suffering and strengthen our hope in him.