Suffering is a gift from God. “For it has been granted to you for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake” –Philippians 1:29. Suffering is a privilege sent by God, even via the hands of evil men for our benefit and His glory. Rejoice.
“Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great” –Matthew 5:10-12.
“They flogged them and ordered them not to speak in the Name of Jesus. So they went on their way rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His Name. And every day, they never stopped teaching and preaching Jesus” –Acts 5:40-42. Bearing sorrows patiently for Christ brings joy.
“When you do what is right and suffer for it and so endure it, this finds favor with God. For you have been called for this purpose” -1 Peter 2:20,21. “Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed” -1 Peter 3:13,14. We have been chosen and called to suffer for what is right; God is glorified and we are blessed.
Even Christ Himself “learned obedience through the things that He suffered” –Hebrews 5:8. Through the contradiction of sinners against Himself, He learned by experience the joyous blessing of doing the will of His Father. Though most of those who received His miracles rejected Him and did not repent, He rejoiced. “At that very hour, He rejoiced greatly in the Holy Spirit and said, ‘I praise You, O Father, Lord of heaven and eartACh, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to little children” –Luke 10:21. Yes, suffering is our blessed heritage leading to joy.
Embrace it as from the hand of a loving Father and you will be blessed. Shun it as from God and you will still suffer. Suffering is the inescapable portion of every soul. In a world of sin it cannot be avoided. You will suffer in this life. Either we suffer for the sake of righteousness, or for doing evil.
Better to welcome its lash for Christ than to endure affliction for wickedness. Either way you will suffer in this life. But those who suffer for iniquity here, will continue to suffer unendingly after death.
Listen to Paul the apostle; rather, imitate him: “I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions” –Colossians 1:24. The Lord Jesus yet has many more things to suffer in His body, the church.
There are sorrows to endure, burdens to bear, and tears to be shed with those who weep. Reviling and cursing, insults and accusations will assail. “Afflictions, hardships, distresses, beatings, imprisonments, tumults, troubles, sleeplessness, and hunger” await faithful servants -2 Corinthians 6:4,5.
Yes, “by glory and dishonor, by slander and good report, regarded as deceivers and yet true” -2 Corinthians 6:8: all fill up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions through those joined to Him. Dangers abound in following Christ: “dangers from robbers, countrymen, the nations, and from false brethren” -2 Corinthians 11:26. Flee these out of cowardly fear of suffering for righteousness, and you will still suffer.
Set your heart to this: “All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” -2 Timothy 3:12. It is our portion if we would be like Christ. “If they have called the head of the house the prince of demons, how much more the members?” –Matthew 10:25. “If the world hates you, know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you” –John 15:18,20. To be like Christ in character and message, is to be treated like Him. It is fellowship with Christ.
Paul prayed that he might “know Christ and the fellowship of His sufferings” –Philippians 3:10. Yes, suffering with Christ is a blessed privilege of fellowship. Embrace it. “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely because of Me. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven” –Matthew 5:11,12.
Thou shalt suffer. Thank you, Lord, for considering me worthy to share in this privileged joy.