Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. 1 Peter 1:1
According to more than one reliable source, more Christians are being killed, abducted, and otherwise persecuted in Nigeria than in any other country of the world. Extremist Muslim groups brutally attack churches and individual Christians at a growing rate that the government does little about. It is the government itself that leads the persecution of Christians in North Korea, where death is the normal treatment for any caught owning a Bible or gathering to worship. Persecution and peril is little better for Christians in China, Pakistan, and in Hindu dominated areas of India. These are the saints who Peter would have written to if he were writing today.
Peter in our text addresses people scattered through various areas. What scattered them? They were mostly Jewish Christians forced to flee persecution in Jerusalem. Their lives were in danger, so they fled, leaving behind families, friends, homes, possessions, and employment. Their departure was the means of the Gospel spreading so rapidly into new areas. But those new areas were not always friendly to Christians, either. Think for those dear persecuted saints as you meet in peaceful safety today to worship the Lord.
No one enjoys tribulation and persecution; we certainly never would seek it out. But our God appreciates those Christians who endure it, whether the people Peter wrote this epistle to, or whether the persecuted Christians of today: ‘That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:’ 1 Peter 1:9.
Suffering Christians are so very near to the heart of our God Who sent His Son to suffer for us. Such saints are showing by their suffering how much they appreciate our Saviour’s suffering for them. -Jim MacIntosh
Here is the link to the video of this message: https://youtu.be/YCyeV8YDRK4