Is it our choice to suffer?
As followers of Christ, we have to know that we must suffer some things for the sake of Christ.
1 Peter 2:21 " For even hereunto were you called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example that ye should follow in his steps:"
We must follow Christ if we want to one day be reunited with him. We must bear our own cross, not a literal cross that we can see or touch but the analogy of the cross. When Christ was nailed upon the cross he suffered physical pain and a emotional pain. Jesus was obedient until death because he loved us and so that we would have the opportunity of one day receiving eternal life.
Jesus said in Matthew 11:38 " And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me."
Sometimes we as believers must suffer physical and emotional pains for Christ sake. When we suffer these things we will reign with Christ.
2 Timothy 2:12 "If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he will also deny us"
When we take up our cross, we are going through the burdens, persecutions, and suffering that Jesus went through for our sakes. Therefore we then are suffering with him, as 2 timothy 2:12 says if we deny to take up our cross, we are not worthy of him.
How can we be worthy of Christ if we can not share in his suffering? After all he was without sin and he suffered for us. We on the other hand were born in sin, shaped in iniquity. Therefore, to suffer with Christ for our own sakes should be a privilege.
Romans 8:17 " And if children, then heirs; heirs os God and joint - heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him that we may be also glorified together."
So we as God's children if we suffer with Christ, we will also be glorified with him. As Jesus has received his crown, so will we.
1 Peter 5:10
But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
After we submit and suffer long with Christ, God will make us perfect in Christ, not a human perfection but a spiritual one. Established in Christ, established in our ministries and doing that which God has chosen us to do. We will be strengthened in our weaknesses and God will settle us. Settled in those things that God will establish us in.
1 Peter 2:21 " For even hereunto were you called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example that ye should follow in his steps:"
We must follow Christ if we want to one day be reunited with him. We must bear our own cross, not a literal cross that we can see or touch but the analogy of the cross. When Christ was nailed upon the cross he suffered physical pain and a emotional pain. Jesus was obedient until death because he loved us and so that we would have the opportunity of one day receiving eternal life.
Jesus said in Matthew 11:38 " And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me."
Sometimes we as believers must suffer physical and emotional pains for Christ sake. When we suffer these things we will reign with Christ.
2 Timothy 2:12 "If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he will also deny us"
When we take up our cross, we are going through the burdens, persecutions, and suffering that Jesus went through for our sakes. Therefore we then are suffering with him, as 2 timothy 2:12 says if we deny to take up our cross, we are not worthy of him.
How can we be worthy of Christ if we can not share in his suffering? After all he was without sin and he suffered for us. We on the other hand were born in sin, shaped in iniquity. Therefore, to suffer with Christ for our own sakes should be a privilege.
Romans 8:17 " And if children, then heirs; heirs os God and joint - heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him that we may be also glorified together."
So we as God's children if we suffer with Christ, we will also be glorified with him. As Jesus has received his crown, so will we.
1 Peter 5:10
But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
After we submit and suffer long with Christ, God will make us perfect in Christ, not a human perfection but a spiritual one. Established in Christ, established in our ministries and doing that which God has chosen us to do. We will be strengthened in our weaknesses and God will settle us. Settled in those things that God will establish us in.
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