A Witness To Sufferings

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. (Romans 5:1-5)

I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. (Philippians 3:10-11)

“We understand that in a broken world there will be suffering. But our God promises to be with us.” –Reverend Richard Griffiths

During Sunday’s sermon, Pastor Richard gave voice to the thought that resides in the hearts of many Christians in the western world: I’ll take power and I’ll take blessing, but I’m not taking suffering.

Why embrace suffering? Our pastor reminded us of the beginning of Romans chapter 5. In the first five verses of the chapter, the apostle Paul encourages believers to view suffering as a catalyst to hope. The embracing of suffering for the sake of Christ is the first step in a developmental process. What does suffering develop in us? Perseverance; character; hope.

The world, though, lives in opposition to the word of God. The world says that we ought to be free to be, say, and do whatever we please. The world says that if we don’t like something, we ought to drop it-- after all, why suffer? That is the way our world operates.

However, there is a more dangerous opponent of the tenets in the book of Romans. That opponent is found in the church. The model of suffering has grown odious in some spiritual circles. So, instead of a call to suffering, there are pockets of church culture in which Christians are told that the evidence of their spiritual prowess is found in their avoidance of suffering. But if we seek to avoid suffering, then how will we develop spiritual maturity?

Paul was willing to suffer for the sake of Christ. Much of his apostolic influence came not from his in-person visits to churches, but from the precious letters he wrote while imprisoned and held under house arrest. His transparency about the sufferings he endured served as encouragement to his fellow believers... and to us as well! Here we are, thousands of years later, still learning and growing from this example of a man who was happy to embrace suffering as a catalyst to spiritual growth.

Are you willing to suffer?

Lord God, help us to joyfully embrace the fellowship of Your sufferings.

All Scripture references are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.