Fellowship in His Sufferings
Fellowship in His Sufferings
Many of us are trying to operate the JESUS RELATIONSHIP SOFTWARE without reading carefully and signing off on the user agreement of terms and conditions. No wonder it does not seem to be working properly and often having system failures and crashes (evidenced with anger and frustration). Jesus was very clear and explicit. “In Me you may have peace. In the world you will[a] have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” John 16:33. First, do you agree and have you signed on before continuing to relate to Jesus? He has “overcome” not you.
Apostle Paul at conversion was given a specific disclaimer before signing on with Jesus. “16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.” Acts 9:16.
As we continue our study of Philippians 3 Paul while in prison prays for himself as he pours his heart to his friends regarding suffering:
“Not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Philippians 3:9-11
Paul wants to know Christ at all cost. As such he wants to know the sufferings of Christ which himself must suffer and has been suffering. But first Paul wants to know the power of Christ’s resurrection.
The proper understanding of the resurrection determines how we live and what we can take. If we truly believe in the resurrection then we know life does not end here. We are then willing to risk all for Christ. Paul understood that but continued to pray that the resurrection truth and power be real in him to share in the sufferings of Christ. The same power that raised Christ will quicken our mortal bodies.
If there be no resurrection we are most to be pitied and why bother suffering for Christ.
We can bear all things with the power of Christ. The risen Christ with His power dwells in you and me so Paul could say “13 I can do all things through Christ[b] who strengthens me”. Phil.4:13.
Have you accepted the call for suffering or you want to live only to preserve your life here on earth?
All who desire godly life must suffer persecution. Jesus suffered. Why would we not thru Him suffer? Our sufferings expresses our love for Jesus and it is not payment for our sins which we can never pay.
Before you think your situation is unbearable, look at Paul’s list for his sufferings:
24 From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. 2 Corinthians 11:24-27. All for preaching the Gospel.
Apostles Peter and James remind us: “12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy”. 1 Peter 4:12-13.
“2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” James 1:2
You and I need wisdom in and during our trials and we must ask God for help and He will give us. God is working it all out for our good, for His glory and to make us like Christ. Not easy I know. It does not make common sense but spiritual sense.
Friend, please hang in there since I don’t know what you are going thru. Let your sufferings point you and others to Jesus so that it is not wasted. God is more than able. May His grace be sufficient for you and me now and forever. Amen.
Many of us are trying to operate the JESUS RELATIONSHIP SOFTWARE without reading carefully and signing off on the user agreement of terms and conditions. No wonder it does not seem to be working properly and often having system failures and crashes (evidenced with anger and frustration). Jesus was very clear and explicit. “In Me you may have peace. In the world you will[a] have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” John 16:33. First, do you agree and have you signed on before continuing to relate to Jesus? He has “overcome” not you.
Apostle Paul at conversion was given a specific disclaimer before signing on with Jesus. “16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.” Acts 9:16.
As we continue our study of Philippians 3 Paul while in prison prays for himself as he pours his heart to his friends regarding suffering:
“Not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Philippians 3:9-11
Paul wants to know Christ at all cost. As such he wants to know the sufferings of Christ which himself must suffer and has been suffering. But first Paul wants to know the power of Christ’s resurrection.
The proper understanding of the resurrection determines how we live and what we can take. If we truly believe in the resurrection then we know life does not end here. We are then willing to risk all for Christ. Paul understood that but continued to pray that the resurrection truth and power be real in him to share in the sufferings of Christ. The same power that raised Christ will quicken our mortal bodies.
If there be no resurrection we are most to be pitied and why bother suffering for Christ.
We can bear all things with the power of Christ. The risen Christ with His power dwells in you and me so Paul could say “13 I can do all things through Christ[b] who strengthens me”. Phil.4:13.
Have you accepted the call for suffering or you want to live only to preserve your life here on earth?
All who desire godly life must suffer persecution. Jesus suffered. Why would we not thru Him suffer? Our sufferings expresses our love for Jesus and it is not payment for our sins which we can never pay.
Before you think your situation is unbearable, look at Paul’s list for his sufferings:
24 From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. 2 Corinthians 11:24-27. All for preaching the Gospel.
Apostles Peter and James remind us: “12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy”. 1 Peter 4:12-13.
“2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” James 1:2
You and I need wisdom in and during our trials and we must ask God for help and He will give us. God is working it all out for our good, for His glory and to make us like Christ. Not easy I know. It does not make common sense but spiritual sense.
Friend, please hang in there since I don’t know what you are going thru. Let your sufferings point you and others to Jesus so that it is not wasted. God is more than able. May His grace be sufficient for you and me now and forever. Amen.
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