Inevitable To Suffer
1 Peter 4: 12-19 “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice in so far as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And, “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.”
Do I really find joy in suffering? No, not really. Who does? While I have been here in Bangkok, the Spirit has convicted me with this verse and this thought. Would I gladly give my life in the name of Christ, even to the point of death? Being an American, and being comfortable, I never think about death or suffering. I wake up and I go to bed every day without fear of going through an ordeal of some kind of punishment from God that might leave me physically, mentally, or emotionally wounded. Why would I deserve such treatment?
I’m sure I share this mentality with many of you reading this. It’s one way the enemy gets to us. Making us comfortable in a nice sofa, eating a bag of potato chips, sipping back a can of Coca-Cola, and watching our favorite TV show like “New Girl” or something (I personally enjoy this show.) being born in such a “free” country is obviously a blessing, but God gives blessings to become blessings. So materialistic we can be. So simple minded to the big picture. What truly matters in being a Christ Follower?
Romans 8 12-18, “So then, brothers, we are debtors,not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”
Short and sweet. GLORY. Glory to the Kingdom. Glory to the Spirit. Glory to Christ. Glory to God! He doesn’t tell us to keep sitting on our butts and put on some smirk like we’re doing something with our lives. Like we’re doing any benefit what so ever. We’ve always been told that we have meaning in our lives to be great. We’re never going to be great. God’s grace is the only thing that gives us even a hint of greatness. How do we fix this? By living with the want in our hearts to make our lives to only men ONE thing, bringing glory to God. Only then will your life mean anything of greatness.
So what now? Let’s get up off our butts and do something great that will bring glory to God. Even if that means with the suffering in our lives, which is a guarantee by God. Just think about every account in the Word. Everyone suffers in some sort or fashion. It’s inevitable. Rejoice in suffering. Christ suffered for us all. Time to do the same. Suffer for Christ. Suffer for the glory of the kingdom.