Whining In The Modern World - Christian or NOT!

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 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. For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?  And "If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?" Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.  

1  Pt. 4:12-19

Suffering is a word with different connotations to different people. To many, it is the ache and pain that comes with death. For the party on the receiving end as well as for those who care for them, death is a painful thing. Those going through it suffer its pains, those who care the pain of seeing the one they love hurt and ultimately die. Disease can cause suffering and pain as well. Cancer, arthritis, skin disease, all have their hurts. No one disputes this.  Suffering can also be caused by economic status, race, in  instances whether one is make or female and the age long debate over those in poverty.

What I find interesting in Peter's statement above, is that it shows us that suffering existed in his day too. What is interesting in Peter's statement is that it is Christians who were suffering. He does not dismiss the fact that they were suffering. What he does tell us is the following:

1. To share (i.e. suffer in the same way) in suffering in the way that Jesus did, a Christian should consider themselves blessed because one cannot do so unless the Spirit of God rests upon and in them. To die for your faith and because Christ is seen in you is a glory to God and God in turn will bring glory to us in turn - and heaven is our reward.
2. To have oppression, slander, shame, to receive degraded status because we are Christians should not be a shameful thing to us. There is nothing wrong with it. We are not greater than Jesus who taught us that the world hates us. We are not greater than the apostles who died at the hands of others, simply because they preached the glory of God in Christ. They did not rise up in arms, lead riots, cause insurrections or stir up mobs. They simply lived as they should in Christ. The lesson for us is that we should do the same! 
3. Peter does tell us that to call yourself a Christian, or even in imitation of being a
   
   Christian and yet suffer because you commit murder, or steal then you are not suffering because or for righteousness but for the evil done. The next two words are also genuinely unique in where they are placed. Evildoer is the next word and is used a myriad of ways in scriptural context. Predominately from two words combined to describe a single thing. Kakos - is something worthless, depraved or injurious whether by itself or done to someone. Poieo - means to make, do, or to raise up. So put together in this text it is referring to someone suffering because they have done or made something evil or injurious. If this is the cause of the suffering, it is not for righteousness but because of the evil done. The next word here is curious, it is that of a meddler in others affairs. If you suffer because of what you say about others, or involve yourself in that you should not, you are not suffering because of righteousness no matter how much you try to excuse it. You are suffering for getting caught doing something that you should not be involved in or contributing to.

So what's the point to Peter's descriptions here?  That judgment starts in the house of God! We speak of judgement of the world, but let us not forget, that it starts with us! Peter's moral echoes Paul's quote from the Psalms (14 & 53) that there are NONE righteous. If we are saved, it shall only be by the grace of God that it is so. And if this the case and you are "suffering," make sure that you are suffering for what is right, because everything else is just whining!

“Sister, there are people who went to sleep all over the world last night, poor and rich and white and black, but they will never wake again. Sister, those who expected to rise did not, their beds became their cooling boards, and their blankets became their winding sheets. And those dead folks would give anything, anything at all for just five minutes of this weather or ten minutes of that plowing that person was grumbling about. So you watch yourself about complaining, Sister. What you're supposed to do when you don't like a thing is change it. If you can't change it, change the way you think about it. Don't complain.” 

 Maya Angelou

Wouldn't Take Nothing for My Journey Now