Enduring Suffering: Faith, Love, and Hope in Christ

Feb 04, 2015

Devotional

Day 1: Enduring Suffering as Strangers in the World

Christians are called to live as strangers and misfits in the world, set apart by their new identity in Christ, which often leads to suffering and misunderstanding from those around them. This sense of alienation is not a sign of failure but a mark of belonging to a new people, a holy nation, and a royal priesthood. The world may not understand the transformation that has taken place, and this can create tension, especially in close relationships or communities. Yet, this very difference is a testimony to the new life believers have received, and it is through this difference that God’s presence is made known in the world. As you walk through life, remember that your true citizenship is in heaven, and your hope is anchored beyond the troubles of this world. [15:05]

1 Peter 1:1-2 (ESV)
"Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you."

Reflection: In what specific area of your life do you most feel like a “misfit” because of your faith, and how might God be inviting you to embrace that difference as part of your witness today?

Day 2: The Foundation of Faith, Hope, and Love

The foundation for enduring suffering is a living faith, a steadfast hope, and a joyful love—gifts that come through the Word of God and are anchored in the resurrection of Jesus. Faith connects you to God’s past faithfulness, hope anchors you in the promise of Christ’s return and the life to come, and love fills your present with joy even in trials. Hope, in particular, is an anchor for the soul, giving you courage to face any storm, knowing that even death cannot separate you from Christ. When these three virtues are alive in your heart, you are equipped to stand firm, no matter what comes. [25:51]

1 Corinthians 13:13 (ESV)
"So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love."

Reflection: Which of these—faith, hope, or love—do you sense is weakest in your life right now, and what is one step you can take today to strengthen it?

Day 3: Suffering for Righteousness, Not for Wrongdoing

Believers are called to suffer for doing what is right, not for wrongdoing, ensuring that any hardship endured is truly for the sake of Christ and not the result of personal faults or offenses. It is important to examine your actions and motives, making sure that the only offense you bring is the offense of the Gospel itself, not unnecessary friction or wrongdoing. When suffering comes because of your faithfulness to Christ, it is a badge of honor, but suffering for your own mistakes is not the same. Let your life be marked by integrity, so that if you are mistreated, it is only because you are following Jesus. [34:29]

1 Peter 4:15-16 (ESV)
"But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name."

Reflection: Is there a situation where you have confused suffering for your own mistakes with suffering for Christ? How can you make sure your actions reflect Christ’s righteousness today?

Day 4: Responding to Injustice with Submission and Blessing

The natural human response to injustice is to fight back or seek revenge, but Christians are called to a different way: to submit, not retaliate, and to bless those who persecute them. This submission is not blind or passive, but a conscious choice to follow the example of Jesus, who did not retaliate when he suffered but entrusted himself to God. By refusing to repay evil with evil and instead responding with blessing, you bear witness to the transforming power of Christ and heap coals of conviction on those who oppose you. This radical response is only possible through the Spirit and is a powerful testimony to the world. [36:20]

Romans 12:17-21 (ESV)
"Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.' To the contrary, 'if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

Reflection: Who is one person who has wronged you, and what is one practical way you can bless them or pray for them this week instead of seeking your own justice?

Day 5: The Power of Hope in Facing Death and Trials

A living hope in Christ’s resurrection gives believers courage to face even death without fear, knowing that the worst the world can do is rush them into the presence of the Lord. This hope is not wishful thinking but a confident expectation rooted in what God has promised and accomplished in Jesus. It transforms your perspective on suffering and death, making you willing to go and be with Christ, yet also willing to stay and serve as long as He wills. Such hope is a powerful anchor in every trial, enabling you to live with joy and peace no matter the circumstances. [27:59]

1 Peter 1:3-5 (ESV)
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."

Reflection: How does the certainty of your hope in Christ’s resurrection change the way you view your greatest fear or trial today?

Sermon Summary

The story of God’s pursuit of a bride for His Son is woven through all of Scripture, and each book offers a unique key to understanding this grand narrative. Reflecting on the tragedies of the Great Fire of London and the burning of Rome, it’s clear that in times of crisis, people instinctively seek someone to blame. In Rome, this led to the first great wave of Christian persecution, a context that shaped Peter’s first letter. Peter wrote to believers in what is now northern Turkey, warning them to prepare for suffering—not to escape it, but to endure it faithfully for Jesus. This is a message that resonates today, as Christians increasingly find themselves at odds with the values of the world around them.

Peter’s life is a testimony to transformation. Once called “Reed” for his instability, Jesus renamed him “Rock,” and through failure and restoration, Peter became a steadfast leader. His letter is deeply personal, urging believers to anchor themselves in love for Christ, even when they have not seen Him. This love is the foundation for enduring hardship.

Becoming a Christian means becoming a misfit in the world. The Spirit brings a new boldness and a new sense of humor, making old relationships more difficult and sometimes even painful. Christians are described as “aliens” and “strangers,” living in the world but no longer belonging to it. This otherness is not a flaw but a mark of new birth—a sign that we are now part of a new humanity in Christ.

Suffering, then, is not a surprise but an expectation. Jesus promised trouble, but also victory—He has overcome the world, and in Him, so do we. The early church understood this, and Peter’s letter is built on three interwoven themes: salvation, suffering, and submission. Before facing suffering, believers must be sure of their salvation—both individually, through faith, hope, and love, and corporately, as part of God’s people, a royal priesthood and holy nation.

When suffering comes, Peter gives three instructions: never deserve it (don’t suffer for wrongdoing), never seek revenge (repay evil with good), and never let it reach your spirit (guard your inner life, even if your body is harmed). Submission to suffering is not weakness, but a Christlike response that confounds the world and glorifies God. In all things, hope in Christ’s return is the anchor that holds us firm.

Key Takeaways

1. Enduring Suffering as a Mark of Faith Suffering is not an aberration for the Christian, but a confirmation of our identity as those who no longer belong to this world. Jesus promised that trouble would come, but also that He has overcome the world. The call is not to escape hardship, but to endure it with faithfulness, knowing that our trials refine us and draw us closer to Christ. [05:39]
2. The Transforming Power of Love for Christ The most important question Jesus asked Peter was, “Do you love me?” This love is the foundation for restoration and resilience. Even in failure, what matters most is a heart set on Christ; love for Him enables us to stand firm, to be restored, and to serve others, even when we are weak or have stumbled. [09:50]
3. Living as Misfits: The New Humanity in Christ Becoming a Christian means becoming a stranger in the world, a member of a new species—no longer defined by old allegiances, but by our identity in Christ. This otherness is not a reason for shame, but a sign of new birth. Our values, humor, and relationships change, and though this brings tension and even suffering, it is evidence of the Spirit’s work in us. [15:05]
4. Hope as the Anchor in the Storm Faith, hope, and love are the three dimensions of salvation, but hope is often neglected. True Christian hope is not wishful thinking, but a living certainty rooted in Christ’s resurrection and promised return. This hope anchors us in the fiercest storms, enabling us to face even death with confidence and joy, knowing our future is secure in Him. [25:51]
5. Responding to Suffering: Submission, Not Retaliation When suffering comes, the call is to submit rather than fight, to bless rather than curse, and to guard our spirits even if our bodies are harmed. This Christlike submission is not passive resignation, but an active trust in God’s justice and sovereignty. By refusing to retaliate and by enduring undeserved suffering, we bear witness to the world and participate in the sufferings of Christ.

** [36:20]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:34] - The Great Fire of London and Rome
[03:13] - The Outbreak of Christian Persecution
[04:42] - Peter’s Ministry and Letter to Suffering Christians
[05:39] - Relevance of Persecution Today
[06:39] - The Character and Story of Peter
[09:10] - Peter’s Restoration and Love for Christ
[13:29] - Becoming a Misfit: The Cost of Discipleship
[15:05] - The New Humanity in Christ
[17:36] - Christians in the World but Not of It
[20:14] - Suffering, Salvation, and Submission: The Three Themes
[24:56] - Faith, Hope, and Love: The Foundation of Salvation
[25:51] - The Power of Hope in Suffering
[31:02] - The Corporate Identity: God’s People as a Royal Priesthood
[33:27] - How to Suffer Well: Peter’s Three Instructions
[36:20] - Responding to Injustice: Blessing, Not Retaliation
[37:36] - Guarding the Spirit Amid Suffering

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Enduring Suffering, Living as Misfits, and Anchored in Hope
(Based on the sermon summary and transcript above)

Bible Reading

1 Peter 1:3-9 (ESV)
> Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

1 Peter 2:9-12 (ESV)
> But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

John 16:33 (ESV)
> I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.

Observation Questions

According to 1 Peter 1:3-9, what are believers promised in Christ, and how does Peter describe the trials they face?
In 1 Peter 2:9-12, what new identity does Peter give to Christians, and how does he say they should live among those who do not believe?
The sermon mentions that Peter calls Christians “aliens” and “strangers.” What does this mean in the context of the letter? ([15:05])
What three instructions does Peter give for how to respond to suffering, according to the sermon? ([33:27])

Interpretation Questions

Why does Peter emphasize a “living hope” in the face of suffering? How does this hope change the way Christians experience hardship? ([25:51])
The sermon says that becoming a Christian means becoming a misfit in the world. Why is this “otherness” considered a sign of new birth rather than a problem? ([15:05])
Peter instructs believers not to retaliate when they suffer unjustly. What does it look like to “repay evil with good” in real life? ([36:20])
The sermon highlights the importance of being sure of both individual and corporate salvation before facing suffering. Why might belonging to a “royal priesthood” and “holy nation” help believers endure trials? ([31:02])

Application Questions

The sermon says that suffering is not a surprise for Christians, but an expectation. When have you experienced being a “misfit” or “stranger” because of your faith? How did you respond? ([15:05])
Peter’s story is one of transformation from “reed” to “rock.” Is there an area in your life where you feel unstable or weak? What would it look like to let Jesus transform that area? ([07:57])
The most important question Jesus asked Peter was, “Do you love me?” How would you answer that question honestly today? What might need to change in your life for your love for Jesus to grow deeper? ([09:50])
The sermon says that hope is often neglected among Christians. What are some practical ways you can remind yourself of the hope you have in Christ, especially when facing discouragement or fear? ([25:51])
When you are wronged or mistreated, is your first instinct to retaliate or to bless? Can you think of a recent situation where you could have responded differently? What would it look like to “repay evil with good” next time? ([36:20])
The sermon talks about guarding your spirit even if your body is harmed. What does it mean for you to keep your inner life strong and healthy during times of stress or suffering? ([37:36])
Peter says that before facing suffering, believers must be sure of their salvation and their place in God’s people. How connected do you feel to the church as your “holy nation” and “royal priesthood”? What steps could you take to strengthen those relationships? ([31:02])

End with prayer, asking God for strength to endure, a deeper love for Christ, and a living hope that anchors you in every storm.

Sermon Clips

“And with that shockwave went a little letter from a man called Peter to get people ready for the shockwave of persecution that he knew would spread. Peter himself was to die in that shockwave. He was to be crucified. As Jesus had predicted, fancy living for 30 years knowing that you'll die by crucifixion, that's not a very pleasant thing to have at the back of your mind. When he came to be crucified in Rome during that neuronic persecution, he requested especially that the cross be inserted in the socket in the rock upside down because he didn't feel worthy to be the same way up as Jesus.”

“And therefore in a sense, 1 Peter is really for Christians who are suffering. It's relevant everywhere, Christians are fearful and wondering what's going to happen now, as in fact they are in many, many parts of the world. And the surprise is he doesn't tell them how to escape it, but how to endure it. Not how to get out of it, but how to stay in it for Jesus and how to conduct themselves when it comes. How to live in an increasingly hostile world, an increasingly anti-Christian society.”

“When Jesus found him, he could be easily swayed like a reed in the wind but when Jesus left him, he was solid rock. I suppose the most moving occasion was after he denied him three times and then met him on the shores of Galilee after the resurrection and some bishops need to know that Jesus fried fish after his resurrection. That was real enough and Jesus cooked breakfast for the disciples and there was Peter and suddenly Peter found himself looking into a charcoal fire.”

“You know what he said? He said, Peter. I can cope with you, provided I'm sure of one thing. Do you love me? Do you love me? So Peter emphasises that in his letter. He says, though you haven't seen him as I have, yet you love him. That's the most important thing that's going to matter in the future to you. Do you love him? See, Jesus can cope with you as anybody can cope with you, provided they know that you love them. Husbands and wives find out the worst about each other. They can cope with that, provided they can be sure of their heart. And Jesus says, Peter, do you love me? He asked him three times and somehow that put Peter back on the rock.”

“You're a misfit, you're a stranger, you no longer belong here, you actually belong somewhere else. And though you will spend the rest of your years here in the world, you no longer belong to it. You are actually part of a new species, you're no longer Homo sapiens, you're Homo novus, you're new men. Amen. You're no longer in Adam, you're in Christ, there's a new species of human beings on earth.”

“Therefore Christians expect trouble. And Jesus was so honest, he said, in the world you'll have big trouble. But he said, cheer up, I'm on top of it. And I said to a friend of mine recently, how are you? And he said, I'm very well over the circumstances. And I thought, only a Christian would talk like that. You see, Jesus is over the circumstances, be of good cheer, I've overcome the world, I'm on top of it and you're in me, so we're on top of it together. But he always promised us big trouble.”

“Let's be honest, let's promise people, come to Jesus and you're in for trouble, but cheer up, he's on top of it. That's the real good news and we ought to be honest with people.”

“Now that is the situation in which suffering arises. We are different, we are misfits and as long as there is peace and prosperity, everything's okay, but when things get tight, when crises come, it's the misfits who get it first. And now that for example Germany has high unemployment up to 50% in East, who's getting it? The Turks, the aliens, the other workers from elsewhere who were welcome when Germany was prosperous and had work for all, but now there's pressure. So when there's trouble, Christians can expect to have more than their fair share of it because we don't belong, we're different, we're not one of the crowd, we're not one of the club.”

“But he has two other themes, one is salvation and he reminds them of the salvation which is the foundation of their attitude to suffering and then the practical side of his letter. better, is how to deal with suffering. And the most amazing advice is learn to submit to it. Don't fight it. Don't try and get your own back. Accept it. Now that's unusual advice and he applies that word submission in a number of areas. It is not blind submission as we shall see, but it is learning to have a submissive spirit.”

“And what Peter is saying, that must be your attitude. Now of course that's absolutely against all human instinct, isn't it? That's the very opposite of how we normally respond to injustice, because normally when a thing is unfair we say so. It's one of the earliest things children learn to say, it's not fair, and their face screws up when they say it. And you see that same expression on picket lines, don't you, outside a factory on strike. You see that same injustice, and the response of the flesh to injustice and wrong suffering is that. It's the clenched fist, to stand up for your rights. And yet what Peter is saying is, in the Kingdom you have no rights. And Christians need to prepare for suffering by learning to give in, to accept it.”

“The first thing we need to be absolutely sure of when the going gets tough is we need to be sure of our salvation. If you're not sure about that, boy, you're going to be in trouble because that's the firm foundation and so he says there are two aspects to your salvation you must be absolutely sure about now. First the individual aspect and second the corporate aspect. Now both are part of being saved. We're saved as individuals but we've been saved into a family and that family is going to stand you in good stead when the pressure's on. You won't be able to cope by yourself. You need to be part of a fellowship that's going to stay together.”

“Faith is primarily relating you to what God has done in the past. Hope relates you to what he's going to do in the future and love relates you to what he's doing in the present, but faith, hope and love are the three dimensions of your individual salvation. The trouble is today, faith, hope and love abide, but of these the most neglected is hope. And that's a tragedy and that's why I made the video, the final facts, because I find as I move around the country, the future is not being talked about. It's all the Kingdom now, it's all here and now, it's all how to live in the Kingdom now, how to have your marriage in the Kingdom now and your business in the Kingdom now. And so there's been very little talk about heaven and hell and the return of Christ and the Day of Judgment in many new fellowships, so we made that video to try and restore this dimension of hope, because hope is an anchor.”

“That's the symbol of hope, it's an anchor that holds you when the storm comes, when you know how it's all going to end. That holds you firm when you're in crisis, when the storm hits you, if your anchor's down and your hope is sure and you know that Jesus is coming back for us, you can face anything. But we've been so concentrating on faith and love that we haven't been teaching people how to hope. And 1 Peter is the epistle of hope, he concentrates on hope in both his letters, more than faith and love. But what he says is God has given you a living hope by the resurrection from the dead. Even if they kill you, death won't touch you. You've got a living hope for the future and the hope of a new body and a new life beyond the grave. You can face death if you know that.”

“See, when your hope is sure, it's quite a challenge isn't it? When your hope is sure, even death doesn't. They just rush you into the presence of the Lord.”

“Do you know the real difference between a Christian who's got hope for the future and one who hasn't? A Christian who hasn't is willing to depart and be with Christ but wanting to stay here. But a Christian with real hope wants to go but is willing to stay. See? And I remember the last letter I wrote to David Watson, I just shared that with him and it made quite a difference to him. He mentions it in his little autobiography, Fear No Evil, and it was, David, are you willing to go but wanting to stay or wanting to stay, wanting to go but willing to stay? And Paul said, I'm wanting to depart, but if he wants me to stay around here a bit longer, I'm willing to stay. Quite a difference, isn't it?”

“He's also given us a tested faith and he said, don't worry, your faith is like gold to you, but gold is always refined by testing the fires, test it and it comes out more pure. And you know in the old days when they purified gold, they had a big vat and the man would keep stirring it over the fire until he could see his own face perfectly in it and then he stopped refining it. And your faith will go through that, be tested. And we've got a joyful love, even though we've not seen him, we love him and we're filled with a joy unspeakable.”

“He said, you're a living temple. He said, Christ is the cornstone and you are living stones and you are the temple of God. You need to remember that, that together as Christians, we are God's dwelling place on earth, his holy temple and people touching us are touching God's holy temple and we are a royal priesthood. We're all priests.”

“And bear in mind that towards those who persecute you, you are a priest. You're the one who can go to God on their behalf and bring a word from God to them. You are their priest, even though they're throwing stones at you or calling your names, you are their priest, the only priest between them and God they may ever have.”

“Be absolutely sure you've got the individual side of foundation, the faith, the hope and the love and the corporate side that you belong to this people and know you do, that you're a living stone and a priest and you're part of a new holy nation that God is calling out from the earth. Then you're ready to face the suffering.”

“It says three things about it. Number one, don't ever deserve it. Now if you go to prison for crime, don't think you're suffering for Jesus. Very important point. Often you know we offend people with our manner or with our awkwardness and then we say of course it's the offence of the Gospel, it's nothing of the kind. Make sure that the only offence is the offence of the Gospel. Make sure that if you go to prison it's not because of something wrong you've done. It's a shame when Christians suffer for doing wrong things. He said suffer for doing right, not wrong. It should never be deserved. That's an important point.”

“Then he said the second thing when you suffer, it should never be revenged. Don't ever retaliate. Now the instinct is to hit back. Someone told me when he read the Sermon on the Mount, it says, turn the other cheek. He said, I would turn the other cheek. turn the other cheek and I'd bring the right knee up sharply. That is the instinct of us, isn't it? When someone insults you, well I just won't talk to them again. When somebody hurts you, well I'll just wait a chance to do something back. That's instinct, revenge is instinctive to hit back. He says don't ever do that. Jesus when he suffered did not retaliate.”

“Repay evil with good. Give them good, not evil. Bless them, he says, bless them. That's exactly what Jesus said. Bless those who curse you. That's the best way to get your own back. It heaps coals of fire on their head. Bless those who curse you.”

“And thirdly and finally, don't let it get you. They're trying to weigh you down. Don't let it be successful. It may harm your body, but it can't touch your spirit. And body and spirit are key words at that point. What happens to your body doesn't really matter, it's what happens to your spirit that matters. Don't let them get through to your spirit. Let them do what they like with your body, but keep your spirit intact.”

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