Note: This article is divided into three parts. I request the readers to study this material in its entirety in order to get a proper overview of my presentation.
Suffering is not something only a Christian experiences. Whether believers or unbelievers, everyone in this world face suffering.
If every person suffers, what’s the big deal about a Christian going through suffering?
There is some similarity between the suffering of a believer and an unbeliever. And a believer has the blessed privilege of trusting in the Lord for help. However, a believer has to suffer more and differently than an unbeliever.
Here is a fact to consider: An unbeliever cannot completely suffer like a believer nor can a believer suffer only like an unbeliever.
Having said that, I must make an honest confession that most believers do not suffer any differently from the people of the world. They suffer only from sickness, financial crisis, problems at home, anxiety about the welfare of children, stress in workplace, insecurity about future, low self-esteem, disappointment due to failures, tension about marriage and settlement…etc.
Well, some may ask, “Are these sufferings not enough? For what more do we have to suffer?”
Although a believer may suffer similarly like the world, the Holy Scripture reveals that the suffering of a believer is not just like the world. It is more. It is unique. Let me share three things for which a believer suffers differently from unbelievers.
The Lord Jesus said:
This is what Christ meant. When a person believes in the Lord Jesus and stops following the customs and beliefs of his family, his unbelieving family members, even his community, would become his enemies. They oppose the gospel and his belief in Christ. They hate losing their family member to Christ. In some cases, they may even persecute this person. It is in this sense that Christ would bring sword (enmity) between believing and unbelieving members of the family.
When a person suffers for becoming a Christian or a disciple of Christ, the Scripture calls it a blessed suffering.
The early believers were ostracized from their family and community. They faced rejection. They were insulted. They were beaten. They were imprisoned. They lost their dear ones. They lost their property. Many were even brutally killed. In many instances, to become a Christian was to become a martyr.
Even today, in the persecuted nations and regions, many believers are suffering for choosing to believe in Christ. About such people, the Lord Jesus said, “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.” (Matt. 5:11)
Yes, there are some places and family situations where a person need not suffer much for becoming a Christian. I was born and raised in a nominal Christian family and I didn’t have to suffer for becoming a follower of Christ, except that I faced rejection from my unbelieving friends.
Nevertheless, there may be situations where we may have to face rejection for being a “Christian”, perhaps at workplace, foreign land, and among hostile people towards the gospel of Christ. At such incidents, let us not be ashamed to call ourself a “Christian” or be afraid to suffer for being a “Christian”.
Moreover, I know people from other faiths who face much suffering for putting their faith in Christ. About such people, the Holy Bible proclaims they are “BLESSED”.
Dear brothers and sisters, if you are suffering for becoming a follower of Christ, don’t be disheartened. It is a worthy suffering. You are greatly blessed and great is your reward in the Kingdom of God.
Click here to read Part Two
If every person suffers, what’s the big deal about a Christian going through suffering?
There is some similarity between the suffering of a believer and an unbeliever. And a believer has the blessed privilege of trusting in the Lord for help. However, a believer has to suffer more and differently than an unbeliever.
Here is a fact to consider: An unbeliever cannot completely suffer like a believer nor can a believer suffer only like an unbeliever.
Having said that, I must make an honest confession that most believers do not suffer any differently from the people of the world. They suffer only from sickness, financial crisis, problems at home, anxiety about the welfare of children, stress in workplace, insecurity about future, low self-esteem, disappointment due to failures, tension about marriage and settlement…etc.
Well, some may ask, “Are these sufferings not enough? For what more do we have to suffer?”
Although a believer may suffer similarly like the world, the Holy Scripture reveals that the suffering of a believer is not just like the world. It is more. It is unique. Let me share three things for which a believer suffers differently from unbelievers.
1. Suffering for Being a Christian
The Lord Jesus said:
Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter- in- law against her mother- in- law. And a person's enemies will be those of his own household. (Matthew 10:34-36)It is troubling, even confusing, to hear these words of Jesus. We know the Lord Jesus is the Prince of Peace. How then can He say that He did not come to bring peace? How can He stir up trouble in the family?
This is what Christ meant. When a person believes in the Lord Jesus and stops following the customs and beliefs of his family, his unbelieving family members, even his community, would become his enemies. They oppose the gospel and his belief in Christ. They hate losing their family member to Christ. In some cases, they may even persecute this person. It is in this sense that Christ would bring sword (enmity) between believing and unbelieving members of the family.
When a person suffers for becoming a Christian or a disciple of Christ, the Scripture calls it a blessed suffering.
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. YET IF ANYONE SUFFERS AS A CHRISTIAN, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. (2 Peter 4:12-16)Many believers in the early church had to suffer immensely for becoming the followers of Christ. For this reason, Paul and Barnabas encouraged the new believers “saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22). Also, Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, “Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring.” (2 Thess. 1:4)
The early believers were ostracized from their family and community. They faced rejection. They were insulted. They were beaten. They were imprisoned. They lost their dear ones. They lost their property. Many were even brutally killed. In many instances, to become a Christian was to become a martyr.
Even today, in the persecuted nations and regions, many believers are suffering for choosing to believe in Christ. About such people, the Lord Jesus said, “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.” (Matt. 5:11)
Yes, there are some places and family situations where a person need not suffer much for becoming a Christian. I was born and raised in a nominal Christian family and I didn’t have to suffer for becoming a follower of Christ, except that I faced rejection from my unbelieving friends.
Nevertheless, there may be situations where we may have to face rejection for being a “Christian”, perhaps at workplace, foreign land, and among hostile people towards the gospel of Christ. At such incidents, let us not be ashamed to call ourself a “Christian” or be afraid to suffer for being a “Christian”.
Moreover, I know people from other faiths who face much suffering for putting their faith in Christ. About such people, the Holy Bible proclaims they are “BLESSED”.
Dear brothers and sisters, if you are suffering for becoming a follower of Christ, don’t be disheartened. It is a worthy suffering. You are greatly blessed and great is your reward in the Kingdom of God.
Click here to read Part Two 
No comments:
Post a Comment