A PROMISE OF SUFFERING
John N. Baker
Scripture Reading: Philippians 1:29
"For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for His sake." What a promise! Many today intimate that every kind of suffering comes about because we are out of the path of the will of God. True enough that we bring many of our troubles on ourselves. However, the very opposite may be the case. "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (II Timothy 3:12). Peter has an admonition which is applicable to this subject. "Wherefore letthem that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator" (I Peter 4:19). It is not presumed in the Word that the salvation which we have by God's grace, brings with it total relief from pain, sickness, disease, trial and puts us on a rose-strewn path. This is the picture which is often painted, but the real world situation does not bear it out. Also the Scriptural viewpoint is a totally different one.
When we are saved by grace, our sins are forgiven; we are in the hands of God; and no one or no thing is able to pluck us out of His hand (Romans 8:38, 39). Nevertheless, we still live in this sin-struck, Godless world and will face suffering and persecution. We are to commit this to our faithful God. We are not to retreat when pressure and trial comes but are to commit all to Him "in well doing." Here is the best tonic for a sufferer. Do what you can well, within the limits of the circumstances, and soon you will forget about your problems. Idleness turns us to self-pity. Well- doing is the best tonic no matter how dark the shadows through which we pass. We can then commit our safe- keeping to our faithful Creator.
THE DAY OF THE LORD IS AT
HAND – TRIBULATION
By Les Feldick
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