How are the Christian Life
and God's Administration Parallel?
1 Peter
4:12-13 "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery
trial that is coming upon you to test you,
as though something strange were happening to you.
But rejoice insofar as you share in Christ's
sufferings, so that when His glory is revealed,
you may also rejoice with exultation."
|
Category |
Detailed
Content |
Related
Scriptures |
|
Reason |
- Triune God went
through a long process, becoming the life-giving Spirit, dwelling in
believers - Believers are
reborn with spiritual life, but still in the old creation |
1 Peter 1:3 (hope
of rebirth) John 3:6 (what is
born of the Spirit is spirit) |
|
Two Aspects |
- Life Aspect:
Reborn with divine life - Administrative
Aspect: Needing God's discipline and refinement |
1 Peter 4:12-13 (fiery
trial) Hebrews 12:6 (whom
the Lord loves, He disciplines) |
|
Metaphor |
- Smelting Furnace: Persecution
and trials - Silver and Gold:
Believers' life - Dross: Parts of
life that need to be refined |
1 Peter 4:12 (fiery
trial) Proverbs 27:21 (crucible
for silver) Psalm 66:10 (tested
us as silver is tested) |
|
Destiny |
- Suffering
in this
world is the destiny of Christians - God ordains trials
for believers in this world - Not a destiny for
eternity, but a process of life growth |
1 Peter 4:12-13 (normal
trials) 1 Peter 4:17 (judgment
beginning at the house of God) |
|
Application |
- Realize trials are normal - Sharing in
Christ's sufferings - See the
spiritual meaning behind persecution - Maintain joy in trials |
1 Peter 4:13 (rejoicing
in Christ's sufferings) Philippians 1:29 (not
only believing in Christ but also suffering for Him) |
|
Purpose of God's Administration |
- Refine
believers' lives - Remove life's dross - Conform to
Christ's image - Prepare
believers to appear with Christ in glory |
1 Peter 1:7 (faith
more precious than gold) Romans 8:29 (conformed
to the image of His Son) |
|
Spiritual Significance |
- Persecution is
not an accidental outsider, but a spiritual
refinement - Witnessing
Christ in suffering - Elevating
personal suffering to Christ's suffering |
1 Peter 4:16 (not
be ashamed, but glorify God) Colossians 1:24 (fill
up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions) |
This table
demonstrates how the Christian life and God's
administration run parallel, emphasizing that in
the process of life growth in this world, God's
discipline, trials, and refinement are
expressions of His love, with the purpose of making us more like Christ
and preparing us to enter His glory.
*Please refer to the
2024 Thanksgiving International Blending Conference: Living the Christian Life
and Church Life Under God's Administration for His Economy - Message Two:
Living the Christian Life Under God's Administration
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