IT'S A PRIVILEGE TO BELIEVE IN CHRIST AND TO SUFFER FOR HIS SAKE
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).
Sometimes, I wonder when I listen to some preachers who say that suffering isn't part of the Christian faith. Most times, they explain this by saying that Christ's suffering has absolved the believer completely from undergoing any form of suffering in life.
I don't know whether they ever read our Scripture reading for today or 2nd Timothy 3 verse 12:
"Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution."
Again, Acts 14 verse 22 shows us how the Apostles visited the believers in various cities "encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God"
These and many other similar Scriptures were written well after Christ's crucifixion, ascension and glorification; so that no one will be right to say that the effect of Christ's atonement is to take away Christian persecution.
Have we so suddenly forgotten the Lord Jesus' admonition in John 15 verse 20, saying, "The servant is not greater than his lord. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you;" and that "every one that is perfect shall be as his master". (see Luke 6 verse 40).
The Gospel accounts of the Life of the Lord Jesus are full of incidents of persecutions, sufferings, hatred, rejection, mockery, etc. The Bible says that as the Captain of our Salvation, the Lord Jesus was made "perfect through suffering" (see Hebrews 2 verse 10).
Cortland Myers once said:
"Some day, God is going to reveal the fact to every Christian, that the very principles they now rebel against, have been the instruments which He used in perfecting their characters and moulding them into perfection, polished stones for His great building yonder."
In the same vein, and according to Austin Phelps, "Suffering is a wonderful fertilizer to the roots of character. The great object of this life is character. This is the only thing we can carry with us into eternity. … To gain the most of it and the best of it is the object of probation." Indeed, our years on earth are a probation. So, be careful how you live them!
Having a second look at today's Scripture reading reveals something else. It says,
"For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;"
This means that to believe in Christ and to suffer for His sake are twin privileges that aren't given to everyone. But to us, it's given. Hallelujah! Actually, it's a good prayer point to not only pray to believe in Christ, but also to suffer for His sake because that's the mark of true Christianity.
Aren't trials and persecutions not part of the fiery darts of the wicked for which the shield of faith has been given to us Christians with which to quench them? (see Ephesians 6 verse 16). Haven't we also been counseled not to consider strange the fiery trials that accompany our faith and that for these, we are appointed? (see 1 Peter 4 verse 12 and 1st Thessalonians 3 verse 3). For a better understanding, it's good that we know that some persecutions aren't virile, but subtle in nature; for instance, rejection and mockery by close relations can be deadly tools the devil will use to discourage us as Christians. The reason being that you have chosen to live godly!
Truth is, the only Christians who are not facing persecutions are those who are not living godly lives (2nd Timothy 3 verse 12). Godly living invites persecutions. We need to understand that Christianity and the world are in conflict and opposed to the other. Living for God brings us into conflict with the devil and the world system.
PRAYER:
Thank You Father for giving me grace to not only believe in Christ, but also to suffer for His sake.