It’s Okay To Suffer As A Christian
“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.” (1 Peter 4:12-16)
Today’s Morsel: Some folks don’t think that Christian’s ought to suffer. But we see that this isn’t true in scripture. Many Christians suffered for their walk with and faith in Christ. Job’s friends accused him of sin because he was suffering. They did not think God would allow such suffering to come to such a man as Job. So, they attributed his suffering to sin in his life. The disciples of Jesus were stoned, beaten, imprisoned, killed, and even murdered for just sharing the hope of the gospel so that people could be saved. But in many cases, they suffered for it. And so, Peter tells us that as Christians, if we do suffer, it should not be because we are committing sin like murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. He highlights that suffering for Christ is an honor but suffering because of one’s own sinful acts is not. When we suffer because of sin, it never glorifies God. It only disgrace who He is. Peter says that if we suffer as a Christian, then don’t be ashamed but give God glory because we are becoming a part of His suffering.
Sing: Trails dark on every hand and we cannot understand, all the way that God will lead us to that blessed promised land, but He’ll guide us with His eye, and we’ll follow till we die, we will understand it better by and by.
By and by Lord when the morning come, and all the saints of God are gathering home; We will tell the story, how we’ve overcome, and we’ll understand it better by and by.
Thought For Today: “For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;” (Philippians 1:29)
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