The Fellowship Of His Suffering: An inevitable part of the Christian journey.

THE FELLOWSHIP OF HIS SUFFERING: An inevitable part of the Christian journey.

Perpend the following: 

That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable to His death. (Philippians 3:10)

Suffering for Christ is a mystery. It has been an enigma right from the Old Testament. Paul wanted to know how one can willingly share in the sufferings of Christ.  

One question that bogged the minds of biblical scholars and philosophers over the years was, “Why do the righteous suffer?” Many reasons have been adduced as to why the righteous suffer. Before the time of Job, suffering was associated with evil deeds. So that if I was sick, it was because of my sin. But Job’s case changed the narrative and made us know that the righteous can suffer.

Here are some of the reasons the righteous go through challenges; 

• To test their faith (I Pet. 1:6-7, Gen. 22:1).
   
• To use their trial and the testimony to encourage others who are also challenged (2 Cor. 1:3- 4).
   
• To reveal the power of God (John 11:1- 4, John 9:1-3). 
   
• To strengthen the believer (Job 23:10). If we handle trial with faith and hope, we become better at the end. 
   
• To bring out the best in the believer (Job 23:10). 
   
• To humble us: God allowed the thorn in the flesh of Paul in order that he may not be exalted above measure (2 Cor. 12:7).

Christ told us that if they hated Him, they would also hate us because a Disciple is not greater than his master (John 15:18-20). Paul wrote to Timothy that all who would live godly in Christ would suffer persecution (2 Tim. 3:12).

Believers suffer for Christ through; Persecution: Torture, maiming, etc. (Heb. 11:37-40), Slander, mockeries, spitting, etc. (Heb. 11:36-40), oppression, denial of rights: In the days of emperor Nero, anyone who brought allegations against a Christian took possession of the belongings of such a Christian whenever the person was killed. Believers were denied their rights. Sometimes, we may suffer lack because of our faith in Christ and when we may not be willing to compromise for some gratifications. But in the end, God rewards our faithfulness. Martyrdom: Paul was ready to suffer for Christ even unto death. He was ready to die the martyr’s fate. Every child of God must be ready to follow Christ even when it costs their lives. In the history of the church, she has been subject to the worst kind of torture. But many stood for their faith. Stephen refused to give up the faith. He chose rather to die for the gospel. Christ told us that we would be persecuted even unto death. But that he who endures to the end would be saved. Every believer must deny himself, take up his cross daily even at the expense of his life and follow Christ (Luke 9:23-34). He promises us that even though we lose our lives for the sake of the gospel, we would have it again.

Kindly perpend the following things we need to know about and the benefits of sharing fellowship with Christ in His suffering.

• Sharing fellowship with Christ in His suffering is a worthy thing. The Apostles rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer for Christ (Acts 5:40- 41). This was why the Book of Hebrews commanded us to go forth unto Him outside the camp bearing His reproach (Heb. 13:12-13). 
   
• If we suffer with Him, we shall reign with Him: 2 Tim. 2:12-13
   
• To think that we would not suffer because we have great faith is a false theology: Jesus said, “In this world you would have tribulation but be of good cheers, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). 
   
• To think that we would not suffer because we are saved is false: All that will live godly in Christ shall suffer persecution (2 Tim 3:12). Salvation does not remove us from earthly pain. 
   
• To think that our holiness would keep us from challenges is not true: Job was upright but still had challenges 

The Benefits of suffering For Christ include; reigning with Him, this present time cannot be compared with the glory to be revealed, the suffering is for a while: Peter said, But the God of all grace, who has called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that you have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you” (1 Pet. 5:10). No matter what we are going through now because of Christ, it shall be over someday. It is not going to last forever. Weeping may endure for the night but joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5). Our light affliction which is but for a moment worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory (2 Cor. 4:17).

BUT not every suffering is for the Lord: Peter tells us that if any suffers, let him not suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evil doer, or a busybody in other men’s affairs. But if any man suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf (1 Pet. 4:15-16).  If we are punished for disobedience, gossip, stealing, murder, uncultured life, stubbornness, etc, we should not claim to suffer for Christ

It is a worthy thing to suffer for the Lord because He first suffered for us. No price would be too high for the individual who gave His life for us. 
“For it has been granted to you that for for the sake of Christ, you should not only believe in him, but also suffer for his sake” (Philippians 1:29)

Perpend!

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