In today's world, straight talk is increasingly rare - even in the church. But the Scriptures present to us an unflinchingly honest view of life and the world. In this text, the apostle seeks to further prepare God's people for what may happen as they profess Christ and seek to follow Him. But what is unexpected is that Peter's fist concern is about our perspective of the suffering which may occur. The fact of suffering is assumed: the text says, "...which is to try you." But whether we are experiencing actual suffering or persecution or not, the principle remains the same. To be a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ – to surrender yourself to Him – means that you are, by definition, at odds with the world. There will be conflict of one sort or another. So, don't think that fiery trials are strange. Peter's exhortation would indicate that it is natural to wonder why fiery trials are part of the Christian life. That is Peter's point in trying to comfort you. When they come, don't think that you are being singled out for unfair treatment or that God has abandoned you. Rather, recognize that the fiery trials we may experience are to try us. That is, trials are like the refiners fire. The dross is burned off while the gold is purified. So, don't be surprised by trials; rather, rejoice.
Verse 12 told us not to be surprised when trials come, verse 13 tells us what our response should be: rejoice to the extent that you are a participant in the sufferings of Christ. The implication is that there is a kind of suffering which is not part of our participation with Christ. (Peter deals with that in verses 15-19.) But what does Peter mean when he refers to our participation in Christ's sufferings? Let's start with what it is not: it is not an addition to the work of Christ on behalf of His people. He did it all. In no sense whatsoever do we add to the redeeming work of the Savior. The text says "of" his sufferings, not "in" his sufferings. Now, what it is: in salvation, we are united with Christ in such a way that we bear His name, we follow Him wherever He leads, we are joined to Him by covenant with the signs and seals appropriate to that joining as in the marriage covenant (baptism and the Holy Supper). He is our head, master, and Lord, and we belong to Him body and soul forever. Since we are joined to Him, the world responds to us like it did to Him: some receive us and our message with joy; others with contempt and even persecution. Therefore, "suffering saints should rejoice in this, that their sufferings are accounted by Christ as his own, who in all their afflictions is afflicted; and that they are honored to suffer for his name's sake, and are hereby made like unto him…" – John Gill
In verse 14, the apostle designs to reinforce us to persevere through suffering. He gives you two reasons for joy and perseverance. First, if you suffer for the name of Christ, you are happy, blessed, well-off. It is an indicative: a statement fact. Second, if you suffer for the name of Christ, the spirit of glory and of God rests on you. The Savior promised that He would never leave us or forsake us and that promise is always fulfilled – even when trials come. Peter recognizes that the relationship between those in the world and those on pilgrimage through the world is irreconcilable outside of Christ: there will be conflict. We ought not to run from that antagonism. Rather, we embrace it and seek to persevere through the trials that come by the power of the Holy Spirit. And if the world rages, reviles and rejects, even unto death, in Christ alone we have joy, peace and assurance that we are his.
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