By Jonathan Ellis
Christian, do not be surprised by trials.
“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.” 1
Are you surprised when encountering trial as a Christian? If so, why?
Many biblical scholars believe Peter wrote these words just before the burning of Rome. Many of the Roman populace suspected Nero of starting the blaze. To divert suspicion, Nero began a campaign to blame the new and small religious group called “Christians” for the fires. His campaign worked, and it sparked a pattern of Christian persecution – sometimes local and sporadic, sometimes empire-wide and systematic – that recurred for the next 250 years, culminating under Diocletian. Writings from that era describe this centuries-long persecution vividly. Here are just three examples:
“Accordingly, arrest was first made of those who confessed [to being Christians]; then, on their evidence, an immense multitude was convicted, not so much on the charge of arson as because of hatred of the human race. Besides being put to death they were made to serve as objects of amusement; they were clad in the hides of beasts and torn to death by dogs; others were crucified, others set on fire to serve to illuminate the night when daylight failed.” 2
“Meanwhile, this is the course that I have adopted in the case of those brought before me as Christians. I ask them if they are Christians. If they admit it I repeat the question a second and a third time, threatening capital punishment; if they persist I sentence them to death.” 3
“Imperial edicts were published everywhere ordering that the churches be razed to the ground, that the Scriptures be destroyed by fire, that those holding office be deposed and they of the household be deprived of freedom, if they persisted in the profession of Christianity. This was the first edict against us. But not long after other decrees were issued, which enjoined that the rulers of the churches in every place be first imprisoned, and thereafter every means be used to compel them to sacrifice.” 4
Despite all of this, the cause of Christ has outlasted the Roman Empire that sought to stamp it out by over 1500 years. If you are a Christian this is your legacy, and this is what you are called to.
So awake, put on strength. 5
If our spiritual forebears endured and carried on in the face of far worse things for the cause of Christ, then you can endure whatever trial is befalling you for daring to follow the teachings of Lord Jesus today. Do not be surprised at trial when seeking to obey Jesus.
Unfortunately, I expect that many Christians today, especially in our nation, are surprised when trial comes, and because they are surprised, it is very often devastating to them.
I would venture to suggest that this is because such Christians are either (1) ignorant of their spiritual history (recounted above) and of Scripture, both of which warn extensively that we are at war and that trial will come, or (2) lulled into a passive and harmless stupor by the World, which sings a demonic lullaby in their ear. Its refrain is this: “You should only expect peace or ease in this life.” Sing that over someone long enough and they will believe that the normal Christian life should hold no discomfort, no self-control, no self-denial, no daily putting the Flesh to death.
Peter’s warning above is meant to inoculate us against that lullaby.
What then is the Biblical perspective to have of this life in contrast to the demonic lullaby? Scripture gives us the correct alternative:
“For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,” 6
This passage reminds us that we are at war.
Whether we see ourselves on a battlefield each day or poolside in a lounge chair will change how we wage that war—or whether we wage it at all.
If we view our day-to-day life primarily through the secular, soporific “values” of personal peace and affluence7we will view things one way. And we will be surprised when trial comes.
But if we hold fast to the Biblical truth that we are in a war zone and we are daily called to fight, it will change how we view everything:
- Word of God
It will change how we view the Word of God. The lullaby sings that the Word is just secular wisdom: one source of wisdom among many, useful but not determinative. A wartime mentality knows that Scripture is the food on which I am daily sustained8 and if I neglect it then I will be weak and easier prey for my Enemy. But if I abide in the Word, I will be equipped and strong9 for the fight for there is only one offensive weapon described in the armor of God.10
Prayer
- It will change how we view prayer. The lullaby would say prayer is merely a servant’s bell – something you ring so that God comes running to bring you something to make your life slightly more comfortable. But if we recognize we are at war then we view prayer as a weapon of war by which entire nations are transformed and brought to repentance for Scripture proclaims: “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth.” 11
- Living for Self vs. Living for King Jesus
It will change how we think about ourselves and others. If we listen to the lullaby, we will think ourselves civilians and get bogged down in civilian things. We will think our primary end is living for ourselves, our goals, and our dreams. But if we continue mindful that we are at war we will be primarily concerned with pleasing the one who enlisted us12 and we will not find it burdensome to affirm the truth that: “You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”13
- Putting the Flesh to Death
The lullaby says you are perfect and beautiful just as you are, that there are no dangers to be wary of, no need to exercise self-control in anything. The wartime mentality agrees with Scripture “put to death therefore the deeds of the body”14, “make no provision for the flesh”15, “lay aside every weight, and sin that clings so closely”16 and cut off the hand and gouge out the eye that causes you to sin.17 The lullaby sings that this seems a little extreme. Surely nothing could be that dangerous. Surely nothing could be worth upsetting yourself that much, or worth depriving yourself of something pleasurable.
- Critical Thinking
If you listen to the lullaby, it will say that any thought that originates in your own head cannot possibly be wrong for that is from your heart and any genuinely held, well intentioned belief cannot be wrong. But Scripture specifically notes that we take “every thought captive”18 and most of the thoughts flying through our minds originate with us. A wartime mentality recognizes that the heart is deceitful19 and the first thoughts I am to catch and submit to Christ are my own.20
Further if you have a wartime mentality you recognize that many of the World’s truth claims are propaganda from the Enemy and to be examined critically as such.21
Identity
- Our World would say that you are your own and you determine ultimately who and what you are. Or conversely that you are nothing more than the result of circumstances, culture, or history. A wartime mentality dismisses all such lies and finds its ultimate identity in the one we belong to, the one who enlisted us, the one who makes all believers new. Whatever your past identity, history, tragedies, or circumstances, it does not define or entrap you for you are a new creation, and your ultimate identity, more fundamental than any other, now is Christ.22
- Encountering Resistance
In a similar vein, this will impact how you encounter resistance. The lullaby will say “Life should not be this hard. You must be doing something wrong. Lay down your weapon. Relax. Focus on something else for a while.”
But Scripture says trials should not surprise you and “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven.”23
When you live differently the World will hate you for it. Do not expect the approval of the World; indeed, Lord Jesus said to expect the World to hate you: “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.”24
So be steadfast and know your labor is not in vain.25 We serve a sovereign King. Christ’s kingdom will continue to spread and fill the whole Earth.26
If you are enduring trial or difficulty because you are seeking to walk in Jesus’s Word, Will, and Ways, do not be discouraged or surprised but keep enduring knowing that you are running the same race as millions of your fellow saints have done27and one day we will be able to stop running.
On that day, when the work is done, you will hear the blessed words of our Lord and King “Well done, good and faithful servant … Enter into the joy of your
master.” 28
1 1 Peter 4:12-13
2 Tacitus, Annals 15.44, in Henry Bettenson and Chris Maunder, eds., Documents of the Christian Church, 4th ed. (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2011), 2.
3 Pliny the Younger, Letters 10.96 (to Trajan), in Henry Bettenson and Chris Maunder, eds., Documents of the Christian Church, 4th ed. (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2011), 3.
4 Eusebius, Historia Ecclesiastica 8.2.4–5, in Henry Bettenson and Chris Maunder, eds., Documents of the Christian Church, 4th ed. (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2011), 14.
5 See Isaiah 52:1
6 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
7 Francis A. Schaeffer, How Should We Then Live?, L’Abri 50th Anniversary ed. (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2005), 205.
8 See Matthew 4:4
9 See 2 Timothy 3:16-17
10 See Ephesians 6:17
11 James 5:16-17
12 See 2 Timothy 2:4
13 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
14 Romans 8:13
15 Romans 13:14
16 Hebrews 12:1
17 See Matthew 5:29-30
18 2 Corinthians 10:5
19 See Jeremiah 17:9
20 See Matthew 7:3-5
21 See John 8:44, 2 Corinthians 11:14, and Colossians 2:8
22 See 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, 2 Corinthians 5:17, and Galatians 3:28
23 Matthew 5:11-12
24 John 15:18-19
25 1 Corinthians 15:58
26 See Daniel 2:35, 44 and 1 Corinthians 15:25
27 See Hebrews 12:1-2
28 Matthew 25:23