The Gift of Suffering

^{THE GIFT OF SUFFERING}

^{PHILIPPIANS 1:29 (Amplified)}

²⁹For you have been granted [the privilege] for Christ's sake not only to believe in (adhere to, rely on, and trust in) Him, but also to suffer in His behalf.

Would you believe that suffering, as part of the Christian life, according to the Bible, is a gift from God? There is a Greek word used in Phil 1:29 which has to do with grace or to give graciously. So, with regard to suffering, in a sense it is part of God’s gracious favor towards us, that we suffer for him, whatever that may mean, be it through poverty, illness, disability, persecution, even imprisonment (as in the case of Paul) (the list could go on and on). And to be sure, these things may not all happen here in the States necessarily (not yet at least) but they happen to Christians all over the world on a regular basis, especially in what are called “closed” countries (ie, most of the Middle East, most of Asia, and any other region of the world with a communist or totalitarian government). Here is how one theologian paraphrases this passage: God has granted the high privilege of suffering for Christ; this is the surest sign that he looks upon you with favor. Suffering is the surest sign that God looks upon us with favor? This is hard to believe/hear isn’t it? That a sign of God’s favor is not necessarily or always blessing (mainly in the material or physical sense). One might be lead to ask, if I am not suffering in some fashion for following Jesus, am I really following Jesus? Do I have God’s favor? I find this particularly interesting because the thinking in many Christian circles today seem to suggest the opposite: that suffering is somehow a curse, a sign of God’s punishment or judgment, not his blessing. This seems to be especially true in those circles that promote the prosperity gospel. These folks see health and wealth as signs of God’s favor not suffering. In fact, they refuse to believe that suffering has any spiritual value what so ever. This is contrary to the word of God. We should embrace suffering, for through it, we have God’s favor. How do we know that? Look at Romans 8:17 (Amplified Bible)

¹⁷And if we are [His] children, then we are [His] heirs also: heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ [sharing His inheritance with Him]; only we must share His suffering if we are to share His glory. Reading this verse and the list of Scripture Passages listed below it is impossible to come to any other conclusion. The Greatest act the Jesus ever did was His suffering! His suffering brought about salvation for all mankind and it pleased God the Father so much that He will forgive anyone who claims repentance through Christ’s shed blood and suffering. It was His purpose in coming to this world and we are to follow in His steps!

IT IS EASY TO CONCLUDE THAT

Suffering for the Lord Jesus is a basic part of discipleship and is to be expected and embraced. It comes with the cost of following Jesus – and so Paul exhorts the believers in Philippi to “live in manner worthy of the gospel,” “as citizens of heaven,” standing firm in the one Spirit, striving together in unity for the sake of the gospel so they won’t have to fear those who oppose them.

Jesus was known as a man of sorrows and suffering. So was Peter, Paul and most all Men of God mentioned in the Bible. They all were persecuted and most died a martyr’s death. But in the end they shared the eternal Joy of Heaven. For those of us who are believers in the Lord Jesus, we are given the great gift of sharing in His sufferings. “For we shall be like Him……”

Romans 8:17 (Amplified Bible)

¹⁷And if we are [His] children, then we are [His] heirs also: heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ [sharing His inheritance with Him]; only we must share His suffering if we are to share His glory.

Philippians 3:10 (Amplified Bible)

¹⁰[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [^[a]which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope]

Hebrews 2:10 (Amplified Bible)

¹⁰For it was an act worthy [of God] and fitting [to the divine nature] that He, for Whose sake and by Whom all things have their existence, in bringing many sons into glory, should make the Pioneer of their salvation perfect [should bring to maturity the human experience necessary to be perfectly equipped for His office as High Priest] through suffering.

2 Timothy 1:8 (Amplified Bible)

⁸Do not blush or be ashamed then, to testify to and for our Lord, nor of me, a prisoner for His sake, but [^[a]with me] take your share of the suffering [to which the preaching] of the Gospel [may expose you, and do it] in the power of God.

2 Timothy 2:3 (Amplified Bible)

³Take [with me] your share of the hardships and suffering [which you are called to endure] as a good (first-class) soldier of Christ Jesus.

2 Thessalonians 1:5 (Amplified Bible)

⁵This is positive proof of the just and right judgment of God to the end that you may be deemed deserving of His kingdom [a plain token of His fair verdict which designs that you should be made and counted worthy of the kingdom of God], for the sake of which you are also suffering.

John 15:20

Remember that I told you, A servant is not greater than his master [is not superior to him]. If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word and obeyed My teachings, they will also keep and obey yours.

Romans 5:3 (Amplified Bible)

³Moreover [let us also be full of joy now!] let us exult and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance.