1 Peter 4:10-11

God has made everyone able to do something. This is your ‘gift’. Often God gives people more than one gift. There are various gifts. The *Greek word for ‘various’ means ‘of many colours’. Together, God desires the gifts to produce a beautiful pattern.

Christians should not be selfish, because God wants them to help each other. They must not expect the leaders of a church to do all the work. Paul taught more about this in Romans 12:3-8 and 1 Corinthians 12.

Peter mentions two sorts of gifts. There are gifts where people speak. Also, there are gifts where people serve in a practical way. Some people are able to teach and *preach. Some can *prophesy or speak wise words. However, all these words must be about the truth that comes from God. Other people can do practical things to help. God gives them the strength to do this work. No one should be proud. People should depend on God. Then everyone will *praise God for what he does. Peter ends these verses with *praise to God. ‘*Amen’ means ‘I agree’.

Suffering as a Christian

v12 Dear Christian friends, do not be surprised when painful troubles come to test you. Do not think that something strange is happening to you. v13 Instead, be happy when you suffer as Christ did. Then when he comes again in his *glory, you will be full of joy.

v14 People may curse you because you are a Christian. But God will bless you. The Spirit of *glory and of God is with you. v15 If you suffer, it must not be because you have murdered someone. It should not be because you are a thief, a criminal or someone who makes trouble in other people’s lives. v16 If you suffer because you are a Christian, do not be ashamed. *Praise God that you are a Christian.

v17 The time has come for judgement to begin. God will judge first the people who belong to him. God will judge even us Christians. We do not know what bad things will happen to the people who do not obey the good news from God.

v18 The Bible says,
‘It is difficult for even a *righteous person to have *salvation. What will happen to the wicked person and the *sinner?’ (Proverbs 11:31)
v19 If God allows you to suffer although you are a Christian, continue to trust him. God created the world and he is loyal. So, continue to do what is right.