Why Is God Punishing Me? Kip Shuford, Pastor, Springfield United Methodist Church, Springfield, LA
1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 Have you ever heard the refrain, "Why is God punishing me?" Yes, religious people can suffer. The fourth chapter of 1 Peter provides a different perspective on suffering. [Peter is recognized as the author of 1 Peter, and he names himself "Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ." However, there are claims that this book is a work of Peter's followers in Rome between 70-100 AD.] The common belief two thousand years ago theorized suffering was a sign that God was angry with the individual suffering hardship. Instead, 1 Peter encourages Christians suffering insults and scorn for following Christ to rejoice and sing praises as they are truly blessed. That God genuinely loves His faithful and their suffering was a sign His spirit rested upon them. "But rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ's sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are