Reference: James 5:7-11
Some of the below was excerpted from a TBC Daily Update, from May 3, 2019, which contained a transcript of The Berean Call's weekly radio program, entitled, "Are Christians Supposed To Suffer".
Philippians 1:29: "For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ not only to believe on Him but also to suffer for His sake."
Interesting how Paul says "it is given". You never hear anyone proclaim this as a "gift". Maybe it’s a stretch, but I don’t think so. I can testify that God has never ever giving me anything but good things:
So yes, to suffer as my Savior did, for the same reasons, because I am not of this world, is a gift!
John said, in 1 John 2: "He who says he abides in Him [that is, in Christ] ought to walk [or live] as Christ lived."
When the flesh hears the word “suffering” or “affliction,” even for Christ’s sake, it doesn’t set too well. But the scriptures tell us to “Consider it all joy when you suffer reproach for the name of Christ” (1 Peter 4:14).
Then in 2 Corinthians 4:17, Paul says that, "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding [and] eternal weight of glory." Think about that; this is Paul! THE Paul; stoned and left for dead Paul; Whipped Paul; Did he just call his affliction "light"?
Yes. Yes, he did!
But therein, in that same statement lies the secret: recognizing that eternity lies ahead. You can give up and suffer a lot in this temporary life to gain the eternal “well done” from your Lord!
It comes down to our individual goals and purposes:
Am I just here for this life?
Or do I exist to be a worshiper of the almighty God and Savior, Jesus Christ?
It’s all about discipline and maturity!
Amy Carmichael nails our sorrowful condition as men of the world:
We profess to be strangers and pilgrims, seeking after a country of our own, yet we settle down in the most un-stranger-like fashion, exactly as if we were quite at home and meant to stay as long as we could. I don't wonder apostolic miracles have died. Apostolic living certainly has.
Men, do you want to live like your Master lived?
The question is NOT, “Are you able to live like Him?”; that was clearly answered by in Scripture as “NO!” I (the writer of this post) am hopelessly lost and wretched apart from Him; but HE promises to transform my mind and heart by the truth of His Word and by the power of His Holy Spirit.
So let’s LIVE it, in faith, and place the outcome of our living in, and for Christ and for His righteousness, in the hands of the living God!
Some of the below was excerpted from a TBC Daily Update, from May 3, 2019, which contained a transcript of The Berean Call's weekly radio program, entitled, "Are Christians Supposed To Suffer".
Philippians 1:29: "For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ not only to believe on Him but also to suffer for His sake."
Interesting how Paul says "it is given". You never hear anyone proclaim this as a "gift". Maybe it’s a stretch, but I don’t think so. I can testify that God has never ever giving me anything but good things:
- Advice;
- Direction;
- Warning;
- Admonishments;
- Blessings;
- Encouragement;
- A loving wise wife;
- Life;
- Eternal life;
- Renewed life;
- Restoration;
- Redemption;
So yes, to suffer as my Savior did, for the same reasons, because I am not of this world, is a gift!
John said, in 1 John 2: "He who says he abides in Him [that is, in Christ] ought to walk [or live] as Christ lived."
When the flesh hears the word “suffering” or “affliction,” even for Christ’s sake, it doesn’t set too well. But the scriptures tell us to “Consider it all joy when you suffer reproach for the name of Christ” (1 Peter 4:14).
Then in 2 Corinthians 4:17, Paul says that, "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding [and] eternal weight of glory." Think about that; this is Paul! THE Paul; stoned and left for dead Paul; Whipped Paul; Did he just call his affliction "light"?
Yes. Yes, he did!
But therein, in that same statement lies the secret: recognizing that eternity lies ahead. You can give up and suffer a lot in this temporary life to gain the eternal “well done” from your Lord!
It comes down to our individual goals and purposes:
Am I just here for this life?
Or do I exist to be a worshiper of the almighty God and Savior, Jesus Christ?
It’s all about discipline and maturity!
Amy Carmichael nails our sorrowful condition as men of the world:
We profess to be strangers and pilgrims, seeking after a country of our own, yet we settle down in the most un-stranger-like fashion, exactly as if we were quite at home and meant to stay as long as we could. I don't wonder apostolic miracles have died. Apostolic living certainly has.
Men, do you want to live like your Master lived?
The question is NOT, “Are you able to live like Him?”; that was clearly answered by in Scripture as “NO!” I (the writer of this post) am hopelessly lost and wretched apart from Him; but HE promises to transform my mind and heart by the truth of His Word and by the power of His Holy Spirit.
So let’s LIVE it, in faith, and place the outcome of our living in, and for Christ and for His righteousness, in the hands of the living God!