THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE OBEDIENT SERVANT: TREADING THE NARROW PATH OF FAITHFULNESS  The Call: TO MAKE A DAILY CHOICE TO REMAIN FAITHFUL TO GOD.  Therefore, to remain faithful as God so expects us to be, the Bible reminds us of the following commands. 1) BE OBEDIENT TO GOD AT ALL COSTS

2) EXPECT SUFFERING ~ Read 1Pet 4:12 ~ One immediate reason why many believers today readily compromise the truths of God is because they refuse to expect suffering in their lives as believers.  However, believers’ expectation for suffering is bound up in the words of: ~ Jesus, Jn 15:18

~ Paul, 2Tim 3:12 ~ John, 1Jn 3:13  FOR CHRISTIANS, THE CONFRONTATION WITH SIN AND THE WORLD OFTEN RESULTS IN SUFFERING, WHICH IS PART OF THE PROMISED COST OF DISCIPLESHIP (cf. Matt 10:38-39; 16:24-26; Jn 12:24-26). ~ Lk 14:28-32

 “Beloved” is a common pastoral word conveying tenderness, compassion, affection, and care (cf. 1Cor 4:14; 1Thes 2:8). ~ Severe suffering can tempt believers to doubt God’s love and allow the same thought to enter their minds that once prompted Job’s wife to utter the despicable words in Job 2:9.

 The phrase “do not be surprised” informs believers to expect that THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST WILL BE OFFENSIVE TO MANY AND WILL PRODUCE PERSECUTION. ~ Believers should never be shocked by persecution. ~ AS SAINTS ARE OBEDIENT TO GOD’S WORD AND EFFECTIVE IN PROCLAIMING THE GOSPEL, ANIMOSITY FROM UNBELIEVERS IS INEVITABLE.

~ 2Cor 2:15-16 (cf. 4:3; 1Cor 1:18) ~ Whether it is hostility toward their exclusive message, their efforts to evangelize, or their godly lifestyle, believers need to remember that hardship is a corollary to biblical faith (Mk 10:30; Jn 16:33; 1Thes 3:4; 2Tim 2:3-4; 3:12; cf. Matt 7:13- 14).

 While the term rendered “fiery ordeal” portrays figuratively a painful experience of persecution, it is also used of a furnace melting down metal to purge it of impurities (cf. Ps 66:10; Prov 17:3). ~ Mal 3:1-3 ~ 1Pet 4:17 ~ PETER IS SAYING THAT THE PERSECUTION IS THE LORD REFINING HIS TEMPLE – HIS PEOPLE.

 Such mistreatment “which comes upon” believers is also “for” their “testing”, proving the genuineness of their faith (cf. Job 23:10; Rom 5:3; Js 1:3-12). ~ SUFFERING FOR RIGHTEOUS- NESS’ SAKE NOT ONLY REFINES, BUT, EVEN BEFORE THAT, REVEALS WHETHER PEOPLE ARE TRULY BELIEVERS. ~ Matt 13:5-6; 20-21

 The verb translated “were happening” may mean “to fall by chance” and calls for Christians to understand that experiences of unjust suffering for Christ are not accidental, but inevitable because the message of sin, salvation, and judgment offends. ~ In addition, these incidents occur by God’s design and reveal whether professing believers’ faith is truly regenerate (cf. Job 5:17; Prov 3:11- 12; Heb 12:5-11; Rev 3:19).