Why Endure Suffering

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing

with the glory that is to be revealed to us. (Romans 8:18, ESV)

Thomas Watts said, " Christianity is not the removal of suffering, but the addition of grace to endure suffering triumphantly." Do our sufferings in life show we belong to Christ, or do we as Christians suffer as if Christ is not even in us?

 Persecution can be because of our own sin, stress, selfish desires, and bad choices (1 Peter 4:15), but it can also be trouble that occurs "for righteousness' sake" (Matt. 5:10). To be persecuted for righteousness' sake means you suffer solely for following Christ (Matt. 10:16-18, 21-22). The world is in rebellion against God and hates God. Jesus tells us the world will also hate us (John 15:20). The first followers of Jesus experienced suffering for following Him, and the persecution of Christians will only continue until Jesus calls us home.

 The FREE gift of salvation incurs opposition because being saved means we have to submit to God. People have always had a problem with submission. They want to be in control—decide what's best, right, or wrong. Opposition also comes because Christian behavior and beliefs make unbelievers angry and defensive.

Persecution is important in our Christian walk because it promotes character and courage, proves godliness, and produces joy and patience. It can even provide rewards. We should not reject suffering because we will miss out on blessings. (James 1:2-4) Persecution can mold us into who God wants us to be. (Romans 5:3-5) We can overcome persecution by being bold in our faith, proclaiming the truth of Jesus no matter the cost. We need to be like Paul, ready to engage in the conflicts. (Phil. 1:29)

 The call to follow Christ is not always an easy life, but God isn't working to make the circumstances we want. God is working in the circumstances to produce the character He wants. Suffering for righteousness' sake should be our honor, and it certainly pleases God. (Isaiah 53:10)

Fully Surrendered Faith

“Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ.” Philippians 3:8 NLT

In February 1952, Jim Elliot left a life of ease to go to Ecuador as a missionary. Four years later, while attempting to evangelize the Huaorani people, he was martyred by the cannibal tribe. His last journal entry read: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” Fully surrendered.                                            

Two years after his death, his widow, Elisabeth Elliot, obeyed God’s call to return to Ecuador to live with and evangelize the Huaorani. Many came to Christ including those who savagely killed her husband. Elisabeth wrote, “I know the truth of 2 Corinthians 4:17, ‘These little troubles (which are really so transitory) are winning for us a permanent, glorious and solid reward out of all proportion to our pain.’” Fully surrendered.

Our days are full of ‘worthless garbage,’ things we prioritize that have no eternal value but consume us, leaving us little time or energy to bow to His plan for our life. We choose to navigate our days with God’s will at a comfortable arm’s length. No inconvenience. No risk.

True faith compels us to live fully surrendered to God. Through the power of the Holy Spirit in us, we give up our right to be encumbered by the ‘worthless’ things of this life to passionately follow the Savior who gave His life for us. In unabashed surrender, we gain abundant hope. We find our God-given purpose. Our priorities align with God’s priorities. We experience unwavering courage and have a passion for both lost souls and His Church. We do not fear hardship, persecution, or death. We live in radical obedience, having the mind of Christ.

Father, help us to put the ‘worthless’ things of this life in proper perspective, to surrender to Your will for our lives. We acknowledge any amount of suffering or sacrifice is ‘little’ (momentary) in light of Your perfect plan and eternity. We choose You above all else. Amen.

The Lion and the Lamb

And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals. [6] And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain…

Revelation 5:5-6a, ESV

We have all heard the old Farmer’s Almanac folklore that says, “March comes in like a lion, but goes out like a lamb.” Though in nature the two are set in opposition, in God’s character, we find a powerful and comforting set of complimentary characteristics. As the Lion of the tribe of Judah, God show us His strength, majesty and authority. As the Lamb, He shows us gentleness, meekness, and sacrifice.

The image of a lion brings to mind the complete power of our sovereign God. Like a lion, He is fierce in His protection of His people, guarding them from spiritual dangers and fighting battles on their behalf. The lion also shows us how He rules over all creation, reminding us that He is in control during every situation.

The image of the lamb reflects God’s love and mercy. Just as a lamb is innocent and gentle, so is God’s compassionate nature. The sacrificial lamb points us to the expression of God’s love through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. We see His willingness to lay down His life for us because of the depth and love and grace He has for us.

As we walk through life facing trials and tribulations, we can take refuge in these two complimentary characteristics of God. We find strength in His lion-like protection and comfort in His lamb-like love. His roar assures us of His power, while His embrace reminds us of His love.

Let us approach God with reverence for His might and gratitude for His tenderness. He is the Lion and the Lamb. He is our protection and our salvation.

The Love of God

Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

1 John 4:8 (ESV)

What’s love got to do with it?

This is a song made famous by Tina Turner. In it she asks, “Who needs a heart when a heart can be broken?” The song takes the position that if you leave your heart out of your relationships, you won’t get hurt if the relationship fails.

While the song became one of Turner’s biggest hits, I would venture to say that the songwriter never experienced the love that Jesus extends to us, in a relationship that is infinite.

The Bible makes it clear that God is love (1 John 4:8). But it’s so much more than just His affection toward us — God is the very definition of love. Love is one of God’s attributes, one of the core aspects of His character, and He can never act outside His character. His love was demonstrated to us in both His creation of us and His death for our salvation.

Fortunately, His love is constantly extended to us even though we regularly fail at reciprocating love to Him and others. No matter what we do, God’s love never fails us. He tells us, “…My steadfast love shall not depart from you…” (Isiah 54:10) We can never love the way God loves us and the fact is we constantly fail in our relationships. Despite our failings, we can have the assurance that nothing can separate us from God’s love (Romans 8:38-39).

Aren’t you glad that God’s love is not dependent on the way we often treat Him? His heart breaks when we turn from Him. But we can always know that His love and His heart can never have more affection for us than it does right now.

The Belt of Truth

Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. 

All day long I put my hope in you.  Psalm 25:5 (NLT)

I have learned a lot while teaching children’s church.  Children love to talk, and they talk A LOT in children’s church.   They talk about what they ate for breakfast, which siblings got in trouble the previous week, their new baby doll or monster truck.  Yes, they talk.  But if you listen closely, they can also put things in perspective for you. 

Recently we had a lesson on the armor of God.  Every child had a drawing of a figure onto which they were to glue each piece of the armor of God.  When I finished reading Ephesians 6:13 – 17, we started gluing the armor to the figure.  Our first piece was the belt of truth.  I asked the children why they thought the belt was the first item listed.  One child answered, “To hold my pants up!”  We laughed at the answer but think about it… if we had to use our hands to hold our pants up, we would not have the freedom to do anything else.  The belt gives us freedom.

Jesus tells us in John 14:6 that He is “the way the truth and the life.”   We live in a world that tells us that truth for me may not be the truth for someone else.  Jesus makes it very clear in John 14:6 when He says, “I am the way, the truth and the life”.  God does not change, and His truth does not change.  Our belt of truth is consistent day after day.  By putting on the belt of truth every day we have spiritual freedom as Christians.  We have the freedom to be the hands and feet of Jesus, to love unconditionally, and  to know right from wrong.

I challenge you for 2024 to intentionally put on the belt of truth everyday and cinch the buckle tight so you have the freedom God intended.