Text: 1 Peter 4:1 NKJV
Further Reading: 1 Peter 4:1-6
Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin.
1 Peter 4:1 NKJV
MESSAGE
Whenever we hear the stories of Christians being seriously persecuted, tortured, imprisoned, and killed for the sake of Christ, we wonder why Christians should suffer. But the honest question is not ‘why’ but what is the purpose of God in it.
Suffering is an integral part of the Christian faith. Christ suffered and so must we in any form or size that God permits. Though we live in a time when culture-dominated Christianity is in vogue, and people have been pampered to the point that they consider it a strange thing to suffer for the sake of Christ. God’s Word is however our anchor, Christ has called us to share not only in His glory but also in His suffering.
The Lord said if any man will follow Him, such must deny himself and pick up his cross (Matthew 16:24). Suffering is a part of the cross we will have to carry sometimes, and it will hurt but the great comforter is always there to be with us and give us the needed strength.
Jesus also told His disciples that they would have tribulation in this world but they should be cheerful through their suffering because He has overcome the world for us (John 16:33).
There are many faithful Christians that are so sick to the point of death. Many have cancer, Covid, and other diseases, and may feel so discouraged by their condition. Some may query and even ask why God has allowed such to happen and where is God in it.
The simplest answer would be another question: “Where was God when His Son was on the cross suffering for the sins He never committed? Why did God turn His back on His beloved Son at the greatest moment of suffering?”. You will remember the Lord crying with a loud voice, E’-li E’-li, la’-ma sa-bach’-tha-ni, My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? (Matthew 27:46).
The truth is that in every bad that God allows in the lives of His children, there is a greater good. God sees a far bigger picture than we do and He has an eternal purpose in mind for allowing suffering in our lives. Christ’s suffering and death was what bought our redemption and deliverance from the bondage of sin and the devil.
Thank God the Father allowed His Son to suffer for our sins, else we would be doomed eternally. If God did not shield His Son from suffering, He won’t shield us also from the same as long as there is a greater glory ahead.
Think of the trial, suffering, and martyrdom of Stephen and the impact it had in bringing a former rebel (Saul of Tarsus) to Christ. The testimony of the suffering of many saints from the Bible times to our day has been instrumental in bringing many souls into God’s kingdom. Allow God to take all the glory in your suffering.
REFLECTION
We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.
2 Corinthians 4:8-9 NKJV
One certain assurance and comfort is that God will be us and hold our hands in our sufferings. We will not be broken but built up by the experiences that we have gotten in the process.
PRAYER
Father, please be with every Christians who are currently going through any kind of suffering, and strengthen their faith so that they will come out as pure gold.
