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CALLED TO SUFFER
Romans 8:16-17
(Darby Translation)
The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit, that we are children of God.
And if children, heirs also: heirs of God, and Christ's joint heirs; if indeed
we suffer with [him], that we may also be glorified with [him].
Philippians 1:27-30
(Darby
Translation) Only conduct yourselves worthily of the glad tidings of the
Christ, in order that whether coming and seeing you, or absent, I may hear of
what concerns you, that ye stand firm in one spirit, with one soul, labouring
together in the same conflict with the faith of the glad tidings; and not
frightened in anything by the opposers, which is to them a demonstration of
destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God; because to you has been
given, as regards Christ, not only the believing on him but the suffering for
him also, having the same conflict which ye have seen in me, and now hear of in
me.
It seems to me that no
one, including myself, likes to suffer. That is why, here in these verses of
Scripture, suffering is explained as something needful and something that we are
called to do as a normal part of our faithful response to the gospel.
The gospel, good news, or
glad tidings (as it is translated here) is something that has cost many people
very much from the time of Jesus' earthly ministry until now. What makes
Christians in America think that they can avoid suffering for the sake of the
gospel? The way I see it, most Christians in America have had a watered-down,
distorted presentation of the gospel given to them in the first place. This
watered-down gospel then produces watered-down living. This is a kind of living
that seeks the prosperity and comfort of the new believer. The focus is all on
what Jesus can do for me, or how I will benefit in this life by believing in
Jesus.
The Intended Focus
I am not going to tell
anyone that Jesus will not benefit them in this life, but that certainly is not
the intended focus of the gospel. The intended focus is that we, as children of
God, be renewed, transformed, and conformed to the very image of the Son of God.
God would have us, as the body of Christ, shine out a daily living that
testifies of the power of the resurrected life of Jesus in us. The real reward
comes when we endure the discomfort of living in this world in a way that is in
total opposition to this world system. To live by the power of the life of the
Resurrected Son of God in our spirit is the mighty and supernatural calling
which we all, as believers in Him, have received.
This calling first
requires that we deny ourselves the luxury of having our own way in the matters
of our daily living. When our self wants to have its own way, we must be those
who say, "No, self. I belong to Jesus." When it costs us something in the little
things and we faithfully pay the price, we will wonderfully find that it was not
us at all but the life of another much more faithful and willing to suffer than
us. Jesus is the one who to poured out His own life for the sake of His love
for you and me. When we make this marvelous discovery, we will be strengthened
in every aspect of our life. We will discover that there is power in being
willing to suffer and deny one's self in order to allow the Lord Jesus to have
His way in us. When it seems impossible to be willing to give up ourselves, if
we will just call on the Lord, praise Him for His sovereignty over all things
(including the circumstances we find ourselves in at that moment), and simply
ask Him for the help of His mighty and powerful Spirit within us, we will
discover what it means that He is a very present help in time of need. Look with
me at these wonderful verses of Scripture:
Hebrews 4:14-16
(King James Version) Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is
passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast [our]
profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the
feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as [we are, yet]
without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may
obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Jesus has already done
the suffering and that He is the power, which enables us to enter into His
suffering with rejoicing. When we, by faith in Him, enter into the experience
of setting aside our old nature and giving way to the Holy Spirit. We can say,
"What suffering?" "What is it but a little thing when I set myself aside and
recognize myself as having already been crucified with Christ in order to let
Jesus come through unto others?" Jesus was crucified for me so He could come
into me with His eternal love and power. When we exercise our faith in the Holy
Spirit's power and give of ourselves and are willing to suffer, it will allow
God a wonderful and glorious expression through us. Suffering is not intended
to be an end in it's self but an opportunity to allow your being to be used by
the Lord to express His great love unto others just as he has to us. Jesus is
the one who really loves and gives. By being willing to put ourselves aside and
suffer (as necessary) Jesus life will have an increased flowing out to others so
they can experience Him in a deeper and richer way. Even as this is happening,
what you will experience is and increase of the deep and satisfying love of God
flowing in and through you. In the midst of your suffering in Christ, you will
find extreem joy.
Many times in my life,
there have been precious saints of God who were able to suffer and set
themselves aside in what seemed to them very little, almost insignificant ways,
in order to allow Jesus to live through them. These things that were little to
them have been long forgotten by these individuals, but I remember. When they
gave of themselves in order to let Jesus come through, I was so blessed and
gained revelation, love, life, and power of the Lord Jesus! When someone in the
body of Christ was obedient to the call of God for them to suffer for the sake
of Jesus Christ and His gospel, I was the one to benefit. I was the one to grow.
I was the one to learn that Jesus Christ is worth more than anything this world
could offer.
Suffering is worth
enduring in order to gain more of Jesus. I am not afraid to say this because I
have learned in my life that when the time comes to suffer in Jesus that God's
love and grace are the strength to endure, and a great reward. It is by
entering into Christ's suffering that we also enter into His glory.
I pray that we won't be
afraid to take a stand and that we will arm ourselves to suffer for our
wonderful Savior and Lord. It's part of what we are called to.
1 Peter 4:1
(King James Version) Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the
flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in
the flesh hath ceased from sin;
Romans 8:18
(King James Version) 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.
Praise the wonderful, holy name of
JESUS!
© 1997 Bruce Archer |