1 Peter 4:12-19 - Sharing The Sufferings Of Christ

¹² Dearly beloved, do not be astonished that a test by fire is coming upon you, as though something strange were happening to you, ¹³ but so far as you are sharing Christ's sufferings, keep on rejoicing, so that at the uncovering of His glory you may rejoice triumphantly. ¹⁴ If you are suffering abuse because you bear the name of Christ, you are happy, because the glorious Spirit of God is resting upon you. ¹⁵ For not one of you should suffer as a murderer or as a thief or any sort of criminal, or as a meddler in other people's business, ¹⁶ but if anyone suffers for being a Christian, he must not be ashamed of it, but should keep on praising God for bearing this name. ¹⁷ Because the time has come for judgment to begin at the household of God, and if it begins with us, what will the end be of those who are rejecting God's good news?

¹⁸ And if it is hard for the upright man to be saved, what will become of the godless and sinful?

¹⁹ Therefore, those who suffer in accordance with God's will must also, in doing right, entrust their souls to the Creator who is faithful.