Are we called as children of our wonderful Heavenly Father, saved by the precious blood of our saviour Jesus, to suffering and persecution?
There appears to be this misconception that when we give our hearts to our wonderful Jesus and become saved by Him, that life here on earth is going to be perfect with no suffering whatsoever. But does our Heavenly Father's word say this will be the case?
Let us look at what The Holy Spirit tells us in Our Heavenly Father's word.
John 16:33- Jesus said 'I have told you these things, so that in me you may have PEACE.In this world you will have TROUBLE, but take heart! I have overcome the world.'
Philippians 1:29- For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on Him, but also to SUFFER for Him'
1 Peter 2:20-21- '..but if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps.'
2 Timothy 3:12- 'In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus WILL BE PERSECUTED.'
Hebrews 10:32-34 'remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of SUFFERING. Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. You sympathised with those (believers who were) in prison and JOYFULLY accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions.'
( the book of Hebrews is written to Jews who became Christians and so this passage refers to the persecution and suffering those christians would have undergone by the Jews, for giving up Judaism and deciding to follow Jesus.)
(It is important that you read each of the above verses in their context to gain a fuller understanding of each passage).
Therefore we can see from these passages that Our saviour Jesus tells us that as Christians we are to expect persecution and suffering for standing up for His name,for sharing the gospel (Philippians 1:27), for standing up for His righteous standards in an ungodly world!
But the comforting thing is knowing that we will have Jesus' peace and joy in these trials (John 16:33, James 1:2), that He has overcome the world and so we don't need to try and endure in our own strength but rather in His wonderful strength!!!
We can have the same assurance that like the Lord's servant Paul in 2 Timothy 3:11, Our Lord Jesus will rescue us from all our trials!!!
Woohoo!! Praise you Jesus!!!
So then the next question is “Why do we go through trials and sufferings?” What is the purpose of them?
Here are some thoughts.
Reasons why Christians will go through suffering and trials.
-To prevent us from SINNING- 1 Peter 4:1-2
-To STRENGTHEN our FAITH- James 1:2-4, 1 Peter 1:6-7
-To EQUIP us to MINISTER to others- 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
-To take away our PRIDE and remind us that our Heavenly Father's grace is sufficient for us- 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
-To bring GLORY to our Father!! Daniel 3:16-29
-To DISCIPLINE us from our SIN- Hebrews 12:6-7 and to remind us we are children of our Heavenly Father!!!
-To TRAIN us to live in HOLINESS and RIGHTEOUSNESS for our Heavenly Father- Hebrews 12:10-11
- to stir BOLDNESS and COURAGE within us by The Holy Spirit (Acts 5:41)
-To remind us you are sovereign Heavenly Father- the book of Job-asks the question of 'why do the righteous suffer' and reminds us there are some things we just won't know the answer to in this life because we don't see your bigger picture Father!!!
Wonderful Jesus!! Thank you that you will give us your STRENGTH, PEACE and JOY (through you Holy Spirit) to endure the trials, suffering and persecution you have called us to for your name's sake!!!
May we be counted worthy of suffering for your name-(Acts 5:41)
May your name be glorified through us Jesus!!
Amen!
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