Introduction:
- How are Christians involved in politics treated and spoken about in contemporary British politics?
Whilst there is often praise for Christians and churches who actively serve their communities up and down the country, there is a widespread view that Christianity is a dangerous force in society and that whilst it might be fine to privately call yourself a Christian, to publicly do so and let it inform your worldview or politics at all is to pose a political threat.
The attention received by Tim Farron MP when he was the Liberal Democrat Party Leader, or by Kate Forbes MSP during her campaign to become First Minister is a testament to this. Episodes like Kier Starmer’s visit to Jesus House, and the Parliamentary reaction to General Synod’s refusal to redefine marriage also highlight a worrying hostility towards, and misunderstanding of, Christianity.
As a result, Christians often feel scared and intimidated and either don’t enter politics at all or are worried to articulate or express their faith with any conviction or confidence.
What lessons does 1 Peter have for us, in this cultural moment?
Passage: 1 Peter 4:12-14
- What are Christians to expect? How is this framed?
- Suffering (v12)
- This is not strange but the typical pattern of Christian living (v12)
Application:
- Does this challenge your view about the way Christians are treated in politics? Does this challenge your perspective about how you should expect to be treated?
- Considering this truth, how would/should you prepare for political life as a Christian?
- What are Christians to do instead? Why?
- Rejoice – for you participate in the sufferings of Christ and be overjoyed when he returns (v13)
- To suffer for Christ is to be blessed – it is confirmation you are his (v14)
- What does this teach us about suffering?
- It is normal (v12)
- It is a test (v12)[1]
- It binds us to Christ (v13)
- It points us to Christ’s return (v13)
- It marks us as belonging to Christ (v14)
Application:
- What might it look like to rejoice whilst suffering as a Christian in political life?
- What difference does it make knowing that Jesus also suffered, that He blesses those who suffer for His name, and that He will return make to your attitude towards suffering?
- How does this help prepare you for political life?
Passage: 1 Peter 4:15-19
- What sort of suffering is Peter talking about? How does this fit with what we have seen taught throughout the rest of the letter?
Not all suffering is good suffering. Sometimes experiencing suffering is a justified response for committing evil – murder, theft, meddling/causing trouble etc. What Peter is talking about is when Christians unjustly suffer because they follow Christ.
Application:
- What examples of suffering for being a Christian and faithfully representing Jesus do we see in society today?
- What examples can we think of when Christians suffer because they’re involved not in serving Jesus, but in wrongdoing?
In our times it can be tempting to view orthodox Christian views on sexuality and gender in this second category rather than the first. Rebecca McLaughlin’s The Secular Creed helpfully explains why holding orthodox views comes under faithfully serving Christ and is worth a read if this is a question you are wrestling with. Likewise, organisations like Living Out, the Greater Love Declaration, and the Evangelical Alliance offer helpful resources on this question.
Application:
- What might it look like to ‘not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name’ in politics today? How might we wisely go about this?
Verses 17-18 are a little tricky. What do you think they might mean?
These verses pick up on Old Testament themes and images in which God first comes to judge His people, or perhaps more accurately comes as a refining fire to purify His people, so that they might be strengthened and purified to bring Him glory.
Nevertheless, we need to recognise that church members aren’t exempt from doing sin either and we shouldn’t cover up for one another. God doesn’t just let us get away with stuff - He will hold those who claim to be Christians accountable and so we should first take the plank out of our own eye. He will then move on to judge those who have rejected Him.[2]
Moreover, God is so holy that even His righteous people feel the pain of His discipline and so what awaits those who are not found in Christ?[3]
Considering these truths, how then should we live? (v19)
Application:
- What might this look like for you in your context?
Pray:
- How does your view of suffering need to change? Ask God to help you now and strengthen you in your faith.
- Thank God that to suffer is to be found with Christ, to be known by Him, and to be blessed. Pray that He would come quickly, and justice be done.
- Pray for any Christians you know in politics that they would stand firm, commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
- Pray for our enemies, and those who don’t know God, pray that our suffering for Him would stand as a witness to them.
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[1] Note that test here is better understood as a refining process that purifies, rather than a binary pass/fail like with A-Level exams. If we are in Christ then we are secure in Him, there are no tests to pass.
[2] Wayne A. Grudem, 1 Peter. [eBook] IVP. Loc. 12.0771-12.0802.
[3] Ibid, Loc. 12.0802.
