“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:16-18).
Introduction
All those who have true faith in Jesus Christ are the children of God, but we are meant to heirs also. As heirs we inherit everything that God has promised us in Christ, even if we undergo severe suffering for His name.
Suffering may not be a pleasant topic to think about in today’s lukewarm church, but Christians throughout the ages have suffered for the cause of Christ, and continue to do so, especially in Islamic countries. Satan has always used persecution and suffering to destroy the church, but in fact it has the opposite effect. He thought the crucifixion of the Saviour would wipe out the truth, instead the disciples went out and won thousands to Christ. He has used governments to limit what churches can do and say, but the true church has always become stronger. He sought to burn believers and their Bibles, but Christians became more determined to speak of Christ and produce more Bibles. He has inspired corrupt versions of the Bibles, but the faithful uphold the Authorized Bible. The Foxes Book of Martyrs tells many tales of suffering and death by the early Christians.
However, not all suffering is for the faith. We speak of suffering with the flu or a sore back. We think that we are suffering when the car does not start in the morning, or there is no milk left for a cup of coffee. In fact very few of us actually suffer for Christ today in this nation. Nevertheless, when the ungodly rule, the righteous feel the pain. “Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man” (Psalm 71:4)
Faith in Christ
Paul tells us in Philippians 1:29 that if we have faith in Christ then it is highly likely that we will be persecuted for it, “For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake.” In light of this text we must question what we are doing wrong if all are speaking well of us. “Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you!” (Luke 6:26).
Surrender to Christ
We must be surrendered to Christ by living holy and godly lives. “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12). This means that we must be surrendered to do His will even if it does involve deprivation. “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps” (1 Peter 2:21). How can we claim to be followers of Christ if we are unwilling to stand with Him no matter what comes our way? “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death” (Philippians 3:10).
This surrender included the willingness to risk losing everything we have to reach the world with the Gospel of Christ, “Yea doubtless, and I count all things [but] loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them [but] dung, that I may win Christ” (Philippians 3:8).
Prepared by Christ
“Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind” (1 Peter 4:1). No one enjoys suffering, but we have to accept the inevitable if we seek to “earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude :3). In times of relative peace and safety believers ought to build themselves up in the Lord. By reading and studying the Scriptures we are preparing ourselves for times of suffering. “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” (Jude :20-21).
Truly trusting Christ
“But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you” (1 Peter 5:10). Instead of destroying what little trust we have, the Lord can use suffering to increase it. We are inclined to think that perfect trust give us the ability to face any form of suffering, but suffering itself can strengthen our resolve to serve God even more. Whenever we suffer for the Lord it gives God an opportunity to strengthen us in our spirit, “That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man” (Ephesians 3:16).
In 1 Peter 2:23 we read that Christ “was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously.” In the same way, we must commit ourselves unto God despite what we might be enduring. Those who do so will find themselves becoming more bold in their witness for Christ, and like Paul can testify, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth” (Romans 1:16).
Conclusion
Though we naturally avoid suffering and persecution, we ought not to have any fear regarding it. If we continue to love and serve the Lord, we will find that “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love” (1 John 4:18). Very few, if any, of those who served God in the Old and New Testament lived a life free from problems, persecution and strife, but those who put their trust in the Lord found the strength to continue to stand for God. We can be assured that the One who strengthened the prophets and martyrs will stand by us in our hour of trial too.
Page created 23 March 2007