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 blessed, because the spirit of glory, which is the Spirit of God, is resting on you" (1 Peter 4:13-14).   

            The early faithful lived in difficult times. Christians were under tremendous pressure from established religions to give up their belief and return to the gods they once worshipped. "You have already spent enough time in doing what the Gentiles like to do, living in licentiousness, passions, drunkenness, revels, carousing, and lawless idolatry. They are surprised that you no longer join them in the same excesses of dissipation, and so they blaspheme" (1 Peter 4:3-4). The magnanimous people who pressured the early Christians to leave their faith assured that all would be made right with the world once they return to the community's expectations. The early Christians were placed in a difficult situation, and Peter appeals to remain committed to Christ and always do what is right. By "staying the course," the faithful will not only be sharing Christ's suffering but will be shouting in His Glory throughout eternity. "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" (1 Peter 4:13).    

            In Chapter 5, Peter stresses the importance of service and humility, with a word on the suffering of the faithful. "And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you" (1 Peter 5:10). Clearly, any distress suffered will only be for a short period. Compare that to the enduring quality of their salvation and eternal glory.

Imagine the pressing issues we face today that pull on our devotion to Christ. COVID and other health issues, Economics, Anger, Hate, Boredom, Consumerism, Aversion to Commitment, Social Media, Distrust, Isolation, and Polarization to name just a few. You may have other suggestions. As it is today, it was also in the first century. It is quite easy to become anxious about every external influence we may experience. However, Peter invites us to call on our "anxiety proof" and more powerful God. He can provide the care we need. "Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7).

            There are four verbs, previously highlighted in chapter 4:10, that provide the strength we need  to endure all things. God will "restore, empower, strengthen and establish you." Our God is all-powerful, and He is the God of Grace. God is perfectly able to soothe our greatest anxieties, so we should go to Him in prayer regularly to offer our thanks for His love. "To him be the power forever and ever" 1 Peter 5:11).