SUFFERING FOR CHRIST - By Robert E. Hanna

 Wishful thinkers contend that it is not in God's plan that the saints should suffer. Scripture teaches us otherwise. Part of our testimony for Christ is that we will suffer. It is difficult to understand this principle. In the scope of our human intellect it seems unjust, that God's most faithful servants should suffer in greater degree than those who show Him little or no respect.

 This is where faith comes in. By faith we accept His own declaration that He is just. And by faith we accept our destiny as sufferers. "For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only, to believe on Him, but also to suffer for His sake" (PhiI. I:29). "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together" (Romans 8:16,17). "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (2 Timothy  3:12).

 In defending his firm stand against the teaching of circumcision, Paul writes to the Galatians, "And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution" (Galatians 5:11)? He is saying that the reason he is suffering is that he is faithfully preaching God's truth. Describing the rigors of his ministry Paul writes, "Even unto this present hour we both hunger and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling-place; and labor, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it" (1 Corinthians 4:11,12).

 Paul takes suffering in stride, knowing that, as a servant of Christ it is His portion. "Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions in distresses for Christ's sake" (2 Corinthians 12:10). When Paul asked the Lord to relieve him of the thorn in the flesh that Satan had afflicted him with, the Lord refused. Paul's response was, "I will rather glory in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me" (2 Corinthians 5;17.

 How God Saves Men

Believing Christ DIED, that’s HISTORY.

Believing Christ DIED for YOU SINS and Rose again that’s SALVATION.

Read Romans 1:16, Romans 10:9-10 and 1. Corinthians 15:1-4

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