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John Chrysostom

1 Peter 1:6, 7

John Chrysostom (AD 347–407) was one of the greatest of the church fathers. As a very young Christian, he was brought before the emperor. The emperor said to him that if he would not give up Christ, "I will banish you from the country, your father's land." Chrysostom replied, "You cannot; the whole world is my Father's land." The emperor then said, "I will take away all your property." Chrysostom said, "You cannot; my treasures are in heaven." The emperor said, "I will take you to a place where there is not a friend to speak to." Chrysostom responded, "You cannot; I have a friend who sticketh closer than a brother. I shall have my brother Jesus Christ forever." But the emperor finally threatened, "I will take away your life." Chrysostom replied, "You cannot; my life is hid with God in Christ." What could the emperor do with a man like that?

Peter tells us we are not to think it strange when fiery trials come upon us, as though some unusual thing had happened. But we are to take instruction from the Word of God and in the midst of the fiery furnace remember that the Lord is right there with us.

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