Please read the passage first.
Few experiences in human life unite us more than does suffering. Life is hard. We possess no “easy button” for life.
I Peter 1:3-5 begin a letter written to people who are suffering with praise of the Father of Jesus Christ. By the mercy of God, and through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, have new birth. We live with a hope for an inheritance in heaven. Faith opens the door the power of God to protect us until the salvation that will come in the last time is finally revealed.
We suffer various trials now. We are tested by fire now. It seems clear that this particular suffering of these particular people is the result of the new birth. They are no longer in sync with the expectations and norms of society. Jerome H. Neyrey calls it the dislocation of conversion. They experienced the joy of life in Christ, while at the same time, experienced alienation from some of the core values of their culture. Such dislocation leads to tests and trials today, which in turn demonstrate whether our faith is genuine.
Yet, the resurrection of Jesus leads to an amazing reality. Those who never saw him still love him. It was true then. It is true today. They believe and rejoice. I believe and rejoice.
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