Don’t be surprised at suffering for simply being a Christian
and for trying to live as a Christian – it’s a test of your faith, a fiery one
at times, and tests of faith are sent by God. It’s not strange that it should
happen – actually, in God’s will, it’s normal!
Let’s be clear. We’re not advocating masochism here, we
don’t go looking for pain and insults as though it was something pleasurable. But
in one sense your inevitable suffering as a Christian is something to rejoice
about – it’s an evidence of your union with Christ, you’re suffering in the
same way as the one who suffered for you. Not only is it an evidence of your
saving union with him, it also brings you in to a more deeply felt union with
him as he offers you his empathetic sympathy and grace in your sufferings.
Having said all that, being joined to Christ in his
suffering is not an end in itself – it’s what lies beyond the suffering that is
important. Suffering led to glory for Jesus, a glory that will one day be
revealed to everyone, and a glory that you will share in precisely because
you’re united to him, as shown by your present trials.
So, next time you’re insulted, wound up, dismissed, called a
bigot, laughed at for the name of Christ and for being a Christian, count it a
blessing. Why? Because it wouldn’t happen if the Spirit of glory and of God
wasn’t resting upon you.
Let me just sound a word of caution here though. If you’re
suffering it’s always worth checking why. If it’s actually because you harbour
hatred in your heart towards an individual or a group of people, a hatred that
is expressing itself in your words and actions so those people lash out against
you, then there’s no honour in that, no glory as an outcome. The same goes for
suffering as a result of taking what isn’t yours, suffering as a result of
interfering in matters that are frankly none of your business, in fact
suffering as a result of any evil doing of any sort. You shouldn’t be suffering
for any of those reasons, or thinking that that such suffering will lead to glory,
because as a Christian you shouldn’t be doing any of those things!
Right, back to the main point. If you find yourself going
through the mill, not because of any sin you commit but because of your commitment to Christ, then don’t be ashamed, it’s not something to beat yourself up about. Instead,
glorify God in the name of Jesus, he’s your mediator who suffered for you, and
is now glorified in heaven at God’s right hand – and you have the privilege of
following in his footsteps.
It’s God’s will for everyone, including Christians, to go
through the pain of suffering. In fact there’s a sense in which it could be
said that your present suffering is a sign of being under God’s judgement (we
live in a sin sick world after all that is under God’s curse). But in your
case, the case of the Church, of Christians, it is a refining, restorative
judgement that ultimately transforms you in to the likeness of Christ.
And consider this, if the suffering you’re going through now
seems tough, imagine what it will be like for those who end up suffering God’s
righteously angry and retributive judgement? As the old Proverb says; “If the
righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and sinner?”
So then, let me round this up. You are going to suffer for
being a follower of Jesus – but remember, that is actually God’s will. So entrust
your life, your very soul to him, as the one who is in control of it all. He’s
your Creator – your first birth was ultimately down to him, as well of course
as your “new creation” second birth that brought you into his family – and he
will remain utterly faithful to you through every trial. So keep doing the
right things, the good things, the Christlike things for all the above reasons.
