Articles
Peter 36 - Entrust Your Soul
Entrust Your Soul
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name. For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? AND IF IT IS WITH DIFFICULTY THAT THE RIGHTEOUS IS SAVED, WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE GODLESS MAN AND THE SINNER? Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right. (1Peter 4:12-19)
Peter reminds Christians of their value in being blessed even in being allowed to suffer for the name of Christ. He then insists that Christians should entrust their souls to God for keeping. The idea of entrusting is the idea of committing or giving to or delivering as a deposit. Perhaps we can understand better the meaning of this by taking note of how the Father has entrusted the task of judgment to His Son. “For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son” (John 5:22). In John 2:24-25, we find the opposite. Jesus did not entrust Himself to these people because he knew them: “But Jesus, on His part, was not entrusting Himself to them, for He knew all men, and because He did not need anyone to testify concerning man, for He Himself knew what was in man.” The word is also used by Paul. Paul had the gospel entrusted to him—given to him. “God … at the proper time manifested, even His word, in the proclamation with which I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior” (Titus 1:3). Then, that which Paul entrusted to Timothy may help us to better understand commitment: “This command I entrust to you, Timothy, my son, in accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you fight the good fight” (1Timothy 1:18; see also 1Timothy 6:20 and 2Timothy 2:2). Perhaps we can better understand how people are to entrust themselves to God by noticing how people have entrusted themselves to other people. Ruth is a well-known example of this type of commitment example (Ruth 1:16-17).
Christians are to entrust their souls to God for keeping—leave them with Him on deposit. This is what Jesus did: “while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously” (1Peter 2:23). Paul did this, too (2Timothy 1:12). We are invited to make such commitment. “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30). We can depend upon heaven in this matter. “He Himself has said, ‘I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU’” (Hebrews 13:5). David understood this (Psalm 23).
Entrusting our souls to God is so important—it brings great results. Entrusting our souls to God will make us patiently endure sufferings and hardships when they come. This will make us hear when the Lord speaks, just as it did the young Samuel (1Samuel 3:9-10). This will make us to do what the Lord requires, regardless of what other voices call (Acts 5:29). Balaam is the opposite of one who does what the Lord requires, even after hearing His words (Numbers 22:1-22). Entrusting our souls determines the style of our lives just as with the holy women of old: “For in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being submissive to their own husbands” (1Peter 3:5). This makes us work when others may wonder why. “For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God …”(1Timothy 4:10). This makes us give of our means without grumbling. “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-20). This makes us cast our cares on Him and takes away the burden of worry (1Peter 5:5-7). This makes us give wholehearted attention to spiritual things (1Timothy 4:12-15). This gives assurance. Paul understood this: “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).
“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen” (Ephesians 3:20-21). Are you entrusting your souls in doing what is right?
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