IT'S A PRIVILEGE TO BELIEVE IN CHRIST AND TO SUFFER FOR HIS SAKE! (PART 2)
TEXT:
“For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;” (Philippians 1 verse 29, King James Version).
Here we have a double but paradoxical blessing of the child of God, one that is in Christ Jesus. Paradoxical, because from the viewpoint of some, these blessings stand opposed to one another. As some would wrongly assert, believing in Christ should eradicate suffering from the life of the Christian.
It's important to mention at the outset that these two privileges or blessings that have been given to us to believe in Christ and to suffer for His sake is for the benefit of the Lord Jesus Christ. The King James Version says
"For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ ..."
The Easy to Read Version makes it clearer. It says
"God has blessed you in ways that serve Christ. He allowed you to believe in Christ. But that is not all. He has also given you the honor of suffering for Christ. Both of these bring glory to Christ." (Philippians 1 verse 29, The Easy to Read Version)
Thus, these twin but seemingly paradoxical blessings of believing in Christ and suffering for His sake both serve Christ’s interest. But how is this so?
First, these twin blessings leave us as Christ's witnesses on earth until He comes. As His witnesses, His faith and sufferings are replicated in us as evidence of His being sent from God to accomplish the salvation of mankind.
On earth here, we are witnesses for Christ (Acts 1 verse 8). The Bible says that the privilege of believing in Christ and the honour of suffering for Him both brings glory to Him. According to the Easy to Read Version,
"He (God) allowed you to believe in Christ. But that is not all. He has also given you the honor of suffering for Christ. Both of these bring glory to Christ."
The glory that is brought to Christ is especially with respect to the use of His Name. To appreciate this properly, we need to consider Philippians 2 verses 6 to 11.
Talking of Christ, "Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
By way of summary, because of Christ's having humbled Himself and suffered death on the Cross, God did exalt Him and gave Him an Excellent Name at the mention of which every knee bows in the three worlds, heaven, the earth and beneath the earth; and that every tongue should confess His Lordship, to the glory of the Father. It's wonderful to know that this same Name, Jesus, has been given to us to accomplish great feats before God and against satan. In other words, the Name Jesus is effective both God-ward and satan-ward.
In relation to God, as we pray, whatever we ask in that name, we receive (see John 14 verses 13 to 14 and John 16 verse 23 to 24). No doubt, this brings tremendous honour to Christ. With regards to Satan, and his cohorts, at the mention of the Name of Jesus, every knee bows, of things in heaven, earth and beneath the earth, in addition to the proclamation of His Lordship by these evil forces. In other words, through this Name, the eternal defeat of satan is made manifest for all to see. The Bible says ,
"And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." (Colossians 2 verse 15).
Yes, Jesus the Lord made a show of them triumphing over them in it. This means that as we witness and minister in Jesus' Name, the devil and his cohorts are shown defeated. Again, this serves to bring tremendous glory and honour to Christ and His Body, the Church.
This is especially so because the Lord promised that certain signs shall follow us as believers.
"And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." Mark 16 verses 17 to 18.
Again, without doubt, this brings honour and glory to the Lord Jesus. Hallelujah!
PRAYER:
Dearest Father, I thank You for the privilege of both believing in Christ and suffering for His sake. May He be glorified and honoured with my witnessing as a believer, in Jesus name.