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SUFFERING FOR CHRIST’S SAKE

Writer's picture: Olufunmilayo AdekusibeOlufunmilayo Adekusibe
 

Today's Reading:

Acts 5:33-42

“So, they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were worthy to suffer shame for his name”                                                             (v. 41)

 

It is common knowledge that mankind suffers different things and for different reasons. To suffer means; to undergo; to tolerate; to endure; to be affected by something. Men suffer or undergo sicknesses, afflictions, pain, loss, injury, and death, and Christians in addition, undergo longsuffering, tribulation, and so on. Some of the commonest reasons for suffering include punishment for wrongdoing; carelessness; a test of faith; persecution; compassion for another/others; and as Christians can be due to the need for spiritual development; for Christ (his sake or name or glory).


It is instructive for Christians to be aware of God’s word in 1 Peter 4:1, that “since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, we should arm ourselves also with the same mind”. Jesus Christ showed us the example by suffering for all mankind, to lead them back to God, the Father, having lost all to the devil/satan in the Garden of Eden, through disobedience. So God made Jesus to be sin (Gal 3:13), and he suffered and died to secure salvation for all who would believe (Col. 2:15). He bore our sins in his body on the cross (1 Peter 2:24). Aside from Jesus Christ, we read of many in the scriptures who suffered for various reasons in several different ways. Such include Job, who suffered many afflictions as a test of his faith. Many of the Old Testament prophets like Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Isaiah, etc suffered for their services to God among the Israelites. Daniel suffered with the three Hebrew young men for their faith in God. Tradition has it that all the Apostles of the New Testament days suffered tremendously for the sake of Jesus Christ before they departed this world.


 Apostle Paul spoke severally about his suffering for the sake/name of Christ, through persecution from within and outside the body of Christ. In Paul’s second letter to Timothy in chapter 3 verse 12, he said that all who desire to live godly in Christ will suffer persecution. He encouraged the believers in 2 Cor. 4:17 that their light affliction is only for a moment, temporary, not eternal. Apostle Peter also spoke at length about the suffering of Christians. He enjoined them that it is better if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. He also confirmed like Paul, that the suffering here on earth is only for a while (1 Peter 5:10). In our Today’s reading, it is recounted in verse 41 that the Apostles, through whose hands many signs and wonders were done among the people (v. 12), and who had been beaten by the council and commanded not to speak in the name of Jesus, were found after, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for Christ’s name.

 

Understandably, many people in the secular world have always wondered and questioned the suffering of Christians and even within the body of Christ. They ask, why will God allow suffering for his children? It is interesting to learn from scripture that God is aware of and knows everything about the believers’ sufferings. He is even with them in sufferings (Ps 56:8). He comforts them in all their tribulations (2 Cor 1:3-4, John 16:33, Ps 119:50). God permits sufferings so that He can use it for the believer’s good and also, so he, in turn, can help others. After all, God the Father allowed his only begotten Son Jesus Christ to suffer on earth, to bring man back to him and ultimately live with them till eternity. Given these facts, what should then be the attitude of the believer to suffering, especially for Christ’s sake/name? From Today’s reading in verse 41, the attitude should include rejoicing (also Col 1:24); perseverance (John 5:11); worship (Job 1:20); trust in God who is compassionate and merciful and has an intention each time (James 5:11); believe that all things work together for our good (Rom 8:28); that one is perfected, established, strengthened and settled (1 Peter 5:10); consolation assured (2 Cor 1:6-70); comforted (1 Cor 1:4); maturity in Christ; given strength to endure to the end.


For our consolation, there are many rewards promised to those who suffer for Christ (sake or name). Jesus is our example, whom God the Father crowned with honor (Heb. 2:9), and given a name that is above all names and sat him on his right hand in heaven, not only in this age but also in that which is to come (Eph. 1:20-22). For the believers, God promises a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory (2 Cor 4:17); promises to perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle them (1 Pet 5:10); that they share in his glory (Rom 8:17); sorrow turned into joy (John 16:20); their consolation abounds (2 Cor 1:5); they are comforted (2 Cor 1:4); eternal life (Rom 2:7); blessed (James 5:11). As believers, suffering especially for Christ’s sake or name is inevitable but gladly, it is loaded with rewards, here and hereafter.

                                                                                    CHRISTIE KUPOLUYI


 

Prayer:

  1. Father Almighty, thank you for allowing your Son, Jesus Christ to show us the example of suffering for a just cause.

  2. Lord Jesus, we appreciate your suffering for us, which resulted in your gift of salvation to mankind.

  3. Father, please stir the hearts of men to accept the salvation paid for, so that Christ’s suffering would not be in vain.

  4. Precious Lord, please help us to yield to you and be ready to suffer for your sake/name.

  5. Father, wake up the church all over the world to take its position to dispel the darkness of the world.

  6. Father, strengthen all believers to face up to suffering for Christ’s sake.

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