That was the first thing that popped into my mind while reading verse 12 in First Peter chapter 4. I could just imagine warning someone (usually a kid) who wants to swing from tree to tree. We would in our firmest voice say "watch where you are going, cause it's easy to swing into a tree." Then we let them go, and as they swing, from our vantage point, they are headed for disaster.
Worse, we know they will be injured. And so we yell across the great open space between us and hope they are prepared for the impending disaster.
Peter's warning to the early church is not something new. He was saying, "when the wrath of people comes down on you, you should not be surprised at how you are treated." It was kind of like a "get over it! You knew what you were getting into!"[more]
While Peter's actions when Jesus got captured, and then crucified might make us think Peter "wasn't a good listener," we find that to not be true. Peter listened well to Jesus, for his words here seem to be an echo of Matthew 10, verses 16 through 31. Jesus words were the same – "there will be people who don't like you because you love and serve Me."
What Jesus followers face today is no different than what believers faced centuries ago. Remember, that there are still places in the world where you can get killed for reading the Bible. You can be imprisoned and severely punished for giving someone a Bible or talking about Jesus. Have a church meeting, and get arrested, or worse, you and your family simply dissappear!
How's that for a way to live?
I have a neighbor who has a tree in their front yard. One branch on that tree has grown across the sidewalk. Mind you, this is no puny little weed, it is six inches in diameter. It is is at just the right height, and given the right moment, I could be struck anywhere from my chest to the top of my head. Many nights, when walking the dog in the rain, my head brushes that branch – simply because I am not watching where I walk (head down to keep the rain out of my face). Hopefully I'll not be walking backwards some night and end up on the ground. Just have to remember to watch out for that tree. It's not moving – I am, so I need to be on the lookout.
Standing up for what you believe can be costly, even here in America. How much of my life is on the line everyday because of what I believe? How much of my neck am I willing to "stick out" for the Gospel?