It is difficult to imagine the Peter we saw when Jesus was on the earth with the one we see in his letters. He was completely changed by the resurrection of Jesus and the filling of the Holy Spirit. The one who once denied knowing Christ out of fear now writes that we must all accept the fact that persecution is part of a believer’s life.
Peter quotes from the Book of Proverbs, “If the righteous one is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear” (1 Peter 4:18, Proverbs 11:31)? This comment emphasizes how narrow an escape Christians have been given.
He concludes, “Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.”
Persecution and difficult circumstances force God’s children to rely on him. We will only make it through the tension in our lives by committing ourselves to God, believing him to be faithful to bring us through all circumstances.
Otherwise we will fall back into our old traps.
