Don’t expect tolerance of Jesus.

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.

1 Peter 4:12-14

What is a Christian’s proper response to rejection and even persecution as it comes from the world? Do we have a “right” to be tolerated, accepted, embraced by human cultures, and have our Christian values enshrined in our cultural institutions? Peter’s words here, inspired by the Holy Spirit as the Word of God, seem to prepare us instead for rejection as a routine expectation. 

First, we are told that when the Christian message is rejected and cultural fires burn against us, we should NOT be surprised. When something deviates from the expected normal outcome, we get surprised. But Peter instead prepares Christians for an expected cultural outcome of severe pushback on the gospel. It is hated. Expect it. Don’t get all outraged and surprised.

And though we aren’t surprised, we are twice told to have this deep, personal, response… we are to rejoice. That’s right… rejoice in our rejection. Two reasons for rejoicing while being rejected are given to us. THE FIRST REASON: Rejoice because you get to share in Christ’s sufferings. Our rejection is proof that it is Jesus in us Who is being rejected. We don’t have to take it personally. THE SECOND REASON: Rejoice in the hope of future glory. If all we believed in was just for the here and now, we’d have reason to be upset because it would mean we are losing something. But we aren’t. The suffering of persecution draws us in worship as we anticipate the day when Jesus returns to reveal His rule in the world. Then He will be the Judge and the King over it all, not to be rejected, but believed on in the world.

One other final insight is meant to turn the sting of rejection into the hope of reward. When we are insulted for the sake of Christ, we are actually being blessed as we realize that the Holy Spirit of God has changed us in a counter-culture kind of way that this sinful world pushes against. When it pushes against the gospel and us, it pushes against a holy, glorious God. 

Final question to drive it all home: Will I, as a Christian, (not as a citizen, or political activist), embrace rejection, ridicule, cultural pressure against Christ, and misunderstanding as proof that Jesus is at work in the world, rejoicing in his sufferings and hoping MOST for His kingdom that He alone will bring?