QT 12/11/2026 Thu 1Peter 4 Faith Under Fire: How to Love, Serve, and Stand Firm When Following Christ Gets Hard 受试炼的信心：当跟随基督变得艰难时，如何去爱、去服侍并坚定不移

QT 12/11/2026 Thu 1Peter 4  Faith Under Fire: How to Love, Serve, and Stand Firm When Following Christ Gets Hard
READ https://www.esv.org/1Peter+4/

What do you do when following Jesus gets hard? When your faith is tested, your service costs you, and the pressure starts to rise? 1 Peter 4 reminds us: don’t run from the fire—stand firm, love deeply, serve faithfully, and glorify God through it all.

Would you live for Christ while there is till time?

Scripture Focus: “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.” — 1 Peter 4:8

(1) Live for God, Not for the Old Life — 1 Peter 4:1–6

Peter begins with a powerful call to change direction: “Whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin.”

Because Christ suffered for us, we are no longer called to live according to the desires of our former life. We have a new purpose. The world may wonder why we no longer participate in the things we once did. People may misunderstand us, criticize us, or even speak against us. But the Christian life is not about fitting in—it is about belonging to Christ.

We have been rescued from living for ourselves so that we can live for the will of God. The question is not simply, “What do I want to do?” but: “Lord, how do You want me to live?”

(2) Love Deeply and Serve Faithfully — 1 Peter 4:7–11

Peter reminds us: “The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded…” Knowing that Christ could return at any time should not make Christians panic. It should make us purposeful. Peter gives practical instructions:

• Pray seriously.
• Love earnestly.
• Show hospitality.
• Use your spiritual gifts.
• Serve others through God's strength.
• Give God the glory.

Notice the emphasis on gifts. God has given every believer something to contribute. We are not saved merely to sit and watch. We are saved to serve. Some teach. Some encourage. Some give. Some lead. Some show mercy. Some serve quietly where nobody sees. Whatever gift God has entrusted to you, use it faithfully.

And the goal is not our recognition. “In order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.”  That is the heart of Christian service:

*God gives the gift.

• God gives the strength.
• We give the service.
• God receives the glory.

(3) Don't Be Surprised by the Fire — 1 Peter 4:12–14

Peter says: “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you…” Suffering can make us ask, “Why is this happening to me?” Peter reminds us that suffering for Christ is not strange. Following Jesus does not guarantee a trouble-free life.

In fact, sometimes our faithfulness will put us in uncomfortable situations. But Peter gives us a completely different perspective: “But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings…”

This does not mean Christians enjoy pain. It means that when we suffer because we belong to Christ, our suffering has a deeper meaning. We are identifying with our Saviour. And Peter gives us this wonderful promise: “You may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.” Our present suffering is temporary. Christ's glory is eternal.

(4) Make Sure You Suffer for the Right Reason — 1 Peter 4:15–18

Peter makes an important distinction. There is nothing spiritually noble about suffering because of our own wrongdoing. He says: “Let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler.”

In other words, don't call the consequences of sinful behavior “suffering for Christ.” But then Peter says: “Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.” There is a tremendous difference between suffering because we did wrong and suffering because we did what is right.

If we suffer because we are faithful to Jesus, we don't need to be ashamed. We can glorify God even in the middle of difficulty. That is the radical hope of the gospel: our circumstances do not determine whether God is worthy of worship.

(5) Entrust Yourself to the Faithful Creator — 1 Peter 4:19

Peter concludes: “Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.” What a beautiful picture of faith.

When you don't understand what God is doing, trust Him. When people misunderstand you, trust Him. When doing good becomes difficult, keep doing good. When suffering comes because you follow Christ, don't abandon Christ. God is still faithful. Our responsibility is beautifully simple:

• Entrust.
• Trust.
• Keep doing good.

The Christian doesn't suffer alone. We look to Jesus Christ, who suffered for our sins, died in our place, and rose again in victory. Because Christ suffered for us, we can endure suffering for Him. Because Christ lives, our service has eternal purpose. Because Christ will return, our present faithfulness is never wasted. And because Christ will be glorified, we can remain faithful even when the world does not understand us.

Takeaway

• Don't waste your life chasing temporary pleasures.
• Don't waste your gifts by keeping them to yourself.
• Don't waste your suffering by becoming bitter.
• Use your time, gifts, love, and even your trials to glorify God.

The end is near. So love deeply. Serve faithfully. Stand courageously. And live for the glory of Christ.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Jesus Christ to save us and give us a new life. Help us no longer live for ourselves, but for Your will. Teach us to love others deeply, use the gifts You have given us, and serve faithfully for Your glory. When trials come, keep us from fear and shame. Give us strength to remain faithful and wisdom to distinguish suffering for Christ from suffering caused by our own sin. Help us entrust our lives completely to You, our faithful Creator, and continue doing good even when it is difficult. May everything we say, do, and endure bring glory to Jesus Christ. In Jesus' name, Amen.

QT 12/11/2026 星期四   彼得前书 4 受试炼的信心：当跟随基督变得艰难时，如何去爱、去服侍并坚定不移
阅读 http://m.bbintl.org/bible/ncv/1pe/4/

当跟随耶稣变得艰难时，你会怎么做？当你的信心受到考验，事奉让你付出代价，压力开始加剧时？《彼得前书》第4章提醒我们：不要逃离火场——要坚定不移，深切地爱，忠心地事奉，并在这一切中荣耀神。

在还有时间的时候，你会为基督而活吗？

经文聚焦：“最重要的是要彼此切实相爱，因为爱能遮盖许多的罪。”——《彼得前书》4:8

(1) 为神而活，而非为旧生活而活——《彼得前书》4:1–6

彼得开篇便发出一个强有力的呼吁，要我们改变方向：“因为在肉身受过苦的，就已经与罪断绝了。”

正因基督为我们受苦，我们不再被呼召按着旧生活的欲望而活。我们有了新的目标。世人或许会疑惑，为何我们不再参与曾经做过的事。人们可能会误解我们、批评我们，甚至说我们的坏话。但基督徒的生命不在于迎合世俗——而在于归属于基督。

我们已从为自己而活中被拯救出来，好叫我们能为神的旨意而活。问题不再仅仅是“我想做什么？”，而是：“主啊，祢要我怎样活着？”

(2) 深切地爱，忠心地服侍——彼得前书 4:7–11

彼得提醒我们：“万物的结局近了，所以你们要谨慎警醒地祷告…” 知道基督随时可能再来，不应让基督徒感到恐慌，而应使我们目标明确。彼得给出了切实可行的指引：

• 认真祷告。
• 真诚地爱人。
• 热情好客。
• 运用你的属灵恩赐。
• 靠着上帝的力量服侍他人。
• 将荣耀归给上帝。

请注意他对“恩赐”的强调。上帝赐予每位信徒一份可以贡献的恩赐。我们得救并非仅仅为了坐着旁观。我们得救是为了服事。有人教导，有人鼓励，有人奉献，有人带领，有人施怜悯，也有人在无人注视之处默默服事。无论神托付给你什么恩赐，都要忠心地运用它。

而目标并非为了获得他人的认可。“为要在一切事上，使　神借耶稣基督得荣耀。” 这正是基督徒服事的核心：

• 神赐下恩赐。
• 神赐下力量。
• 我们献上服侍。
• 神得着荣耀。

(3) 不要因火的试炼而惊讶——彼得前书 4:12–14

彼得说：“亲爱的，有火炼的试验临到你们，不要以为奇怪，好像是遭遇非常的事……” 苦难会让我们问：“为什么这事会发生在我身上？”彼得提醒我们，为基督受苦并不稀奇。跟随耶稣并不保证生活一帆风顺。

事实上，有时我们的忠心会使我们陷入令人不适的处境。但彼得给了我们一个截然不同的视角：“倒要欢喜，因为你们既然在基督的受苦上有分……”

这并不意味着基督徒乐于受苦。这意味着，当我们因归属于基督而受苦时，我们的苦难便具有更深层的意义。我们正在与我们的救主同受苦难。彼得给了我们这样一个美好的应许：“就在他荣耀显现的时候，可以欢喜快乐。”我们现在的苦难是暂时的，而基督的荣耀却是永恒的。

(4) 确保你受苦的理由是正确的——《彼得前书》4:15–18

彼得作了一个重要的区分。因自己的过错而受苦，在属灵上毫无高尚可言。他说：“你们中间不可有人因为杀人、或偷窃、或行恶、或好管闲事而受苦。”

换言之，不要将罪恶行为带来的后果称为“为基督受苦”。但随后彼得又说：“ 如果因为作基督徒而受苦，不要以为羞耻，倒要借着这名字荣耀　神。”因做错事而受苦，与因行义而受苦，两者之间有着天壤之别。

如果我们因对耶稣忠心而受苦，就无需羞愧。即使身处困境，我们也能荣耀神。这就是福音中那极致的盼望：我们的处境并不能决定神是否配得敬拜。

(5) 将自己交托给信实的造物主——彼得前书 4:19

彼得总结道：“ 
所以那顺着　神的旨意而受苦的人，要继续地行善，把自己的生命交托那信实的创造者。”这真是一幅美好的信心图景。

当你不明白上帝在做什么时，要信靠祂。当人们误解你时，要信靠祂。当行善变得艰难时，要坚持行善。当你因跟随基督而遭受苦难时，不要离弃基督。上帝依然信实。我们的责任简单而美好：

• 委身。
• 信靠。
• 坚持行善。

基督徒并不孤单地承受苦难。我们仰望耶稣基督——祂为我们的罪受苦，代替我们死去，并得胜复活。正因基督为我们受苦，我们才能为祂忍受苦难；正因基督活着，我们的事奉才具有永恒的意义；正因基督必将再来，我们如今的忠心绝不会白费；正因基督必得荣耀，即使世人不理解我们，我们仍能持守忠心。

重点

• 不要把生命浪费在追逐暂时的享乐上。
• 不要把恩赐藏在心里，让它们白白浪费。
• 不要因心怀怨恨而让苦难白白浪费。
• 运用你的时间、恩赐、爱，甚至你的试炼，来荣耀神。

末日临近。所以，要深爱。要忠心事奉。要勇敢站立。并为基督的荣耀而活。

祷告

天父，感谢祢差遣耶稣基督拯救我们，赐给我们新生命。求祢帮助我们不再为自己而活，而是遵行祢的旨意。教导我们深爱他人，善用祢所赐的恩赐，并忠心事奉，为要荣耀祢。当试炼来临时，求祢保守我们免于恐惧和羞耻。求祢赐给我们力量，使我们能持守信实；也赐给我们智慧，使我们能分辨为基督所受的苦难与因我们自己的罪所致的苦难。求祢帮助我们将生命全然交托给祢——我们信实的造物主，并使我们在艰难之时仍能行善。愿我们所说、所行、所忍受的一切，都能归荣耀给耶稣基督。奉耶稣的名祈求，阿们。