Discipleship As a "Fiery Ordeal"

The Epistle Lesson for this Sunday is 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11. In this text, the author tells his listeners that they should not be surprised by the "fiery ordeal" that they are facing as disciples. The author does not define the nature of the fiery ordeal

Christians have all heard stories about the persecution of the early Church in the Roman world. It is normally assumed that the Roman Empire routinely and systemically tried to eliminate Christians, and that executions were commonplace. This is actually not true. There were several occasions in the Roman Empire where the Emperor ordered the execution of Christians. The first of these was under Nero in 64-68. However, persecution that resulted in the outright execution of Christians typically arose out of the general population and was localized and sporadic. Most commonly, a village facing a catastrophe or famine would look for a scapegoat, and Christians, being a powerless minority, were always an easy target.

The "fiery ordeal" that the author of 1 Peter spoke of was not persecution in the sense of being thrown to the lions. Instead, the "fiery ordeal" was the task that early disciples faced about how to live in the Roman world while also living out their discipleship with authenticity. The Roman Empire was a confusing place to be a disciple. For example, the early Christians were forced to bow down before an altar to Roma, which symbolized the Roman state. Early Christians who did so were accused by some communities of idolatry. Despite this, bowing down before Roma was required to do business in the Roman world. Some Christians argued that such an act simply represented persons loyalty to the Roman state and a promise to abide by its laws.

We face the same "fiery ordeal" today. It is a confusing time to be a disciple today. We face all sorts of complicated questions and issues. Being a disciple today requires diligence, courage, and commitment.

The relevance of the text from 1 Peter for us today, I think, lies in the first verse. The author says that we should not be "surprised" by the fiery ordeal that faces us. Instead, we need to accept the fact that discipleship, if practiced correctly, will require real concerted effort. If our discipleship is easy, this should be a sign that we are not engaged in the process.

As a disciple, accept the fact that our discipleship will be a "fiery ordeal." But it is a fiery ordeal that is life's most exciting journey. So settle in for the life long ride. We are God's children. We were made to face this "fiery ordeal." It is how we were meant to live our lives. And if we face the "fiery ordeal" with faithfulness, we will live in God's presence, forever.