Suffering, Remembering Nero

Nero was persecuting Christians in an attempt to try to validate they had set fire to Rome, though it was he who did it. Dousing their living bodies in oil after tying them to stakes, he had them lit on fire to illuminate the city at night. 

Paul encouraged the believers with this:

12 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; 13 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.

Paul goes on to tell us not to suffer as the lost, as those who do not know Christ, for things like murder, stealing, being evil (and in today's world we should be careful what we call evil and what we don't...causing people to lust is evil, fornication is evil, the way many women respond to their husbands and house holds is evil....yet we try to call whatever we want to do or think, good. We act like our human idea of good IS good, but the Bible tells us that people will call good, evil, and evil, good.)

14If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; 16but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name. 17For 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? 18AND IF IT IS WITH DIFFICULTY THAT THE RIGHTEOUS IS SAVED, WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE GODLESS MAN AND THE SINNER? 19Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.