Sufferings are linked to glories; it’s a two-sided coin, one is Pain and the other is Glory. “But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you” (1 Peter 5:10).

Dear reader, we as believers, do not have analgesics amid sufferings, but we have what is better and greater; I am not talking about analgesics to stop our pain or lose awareness and live in fantasy world; certainly not, but I say with God’s grace and through God’s word, that in the middle of sufferings, there are not only comforts, but there are also glories. You could be suffering due to an event or needy, and endure strong pressures, but you still enjoy glory; for you were born for glory, you are enjoying glory and glory is waiting ahead for you. “And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away”(1 Peter 5:4)

6- Sojourners

“Peter, Jesus Apostle to the sojourners scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia” (1 Peter 1:1).
This epistle was written to the Jewish Christians or to the Christians who were of a Jewish background. And here the Apostle Peter introduces them as “Sojourners” and not “Strangers”; for originally the meaning is not stranger at location but stranger in culture and of world’s habits.

You could be a sojourner in a country different from where you were born, but your language and customs are like the people of the hosting country, so you are a sojourner within location only. The word also means that those who are around you feel that you are stranger from them. “In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you" (1 Peter 4:4)

“And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear”( 1 Peter 1:17)
“Time of sojourn” is one of the best names describing the period of our stay on earth; for this time is a limited and well defined period.

This epistle will not be useful to those who feel they are from this world and their thoughts comply with it. Who does not suffer or moan will not benefit from this epistle and it’s not for him. This epistle and the effective medications in it are written and prescribed for those who feel they are sojourners; those whom our Lord Jesus describes saying: “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” (John 17:16); and those whom Apostle Paul also describes saying: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Oh Stranger, you who suffers as a result of the mismatch of your thoughts, behavior, conducts and dreams with those of this world, behold. You who are cursed, slugged, deceived and reproached, behold. Yes, there is a curse, blasphemy, deceit and slugging, but I’m telling you good news; this message is for you and the joy is yours. But if you were from this world, and acting according to its principles, then you need to sojourn to be able to benefit from the medications which are prescribed only to sojourners.

Magdy Samuel