Share Christ’s Sufferings

¹² Dear friends, don’t be surprised by the fiery troubles that are coming in order to test you. Don’t feel as though something strange is happening to you, ¹³ but be happy as you share Christ’s sufferings. Then you will also be full of joy when he appears again in his glory. ¹⁴ If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed because the Spirit of glory—the Spirit of God—is resting on you.

¹⁵ If you suffer, you shouldn’t suffer for being a murderer, thief, criminal, or troublemaker. ¹⁶ If you suffer for being a Christian, don’t feel ashamed, but praise God for being called that name. ¹⁷ The time has come for the judgment to begin, and it will begin with God’s family. If it starts with us, what will be the end for those who refuse to obey the Good News of God? ¹⁸ If it’s hard for the person who has God’s approval to be saved, what will happen to the godless sinner? ¹⁹ Those who suffer because that is God’s will for them must entrust themselves to a faithful creator and continue to do what is good.