Suffering for Him

Hello everyone,

How are you doing on this day? I hope well and bubbling in the Lord.

Primary Text

“So, since Christ suffered in the flesh for us, for you, arm yourselves with the same thought and purpose [patiently to suffer rather than fail to please God]. For whoever has suffered in the flesh [having the mind of Christ] is done with [intentional] sin [has stopped pleasing himself and the world, and pleases God],” 1 Peter 4v1 (AMP)

To what extent would you go to please God? Have you made it a determination, a decision in your mind that I would patiently suffer rather than fail to please God? In fact, one thing we are given the privilege of doing, is to suffer for Christ. He has done so for us already. Philippians 1v29-30 (MSG) says “There’s far more to this life than trusting in Christ. There’s also suffering for Him. And the suffering is as much a gift as the trusting. You’re involved in the same kind of struggle you saw me go through, on which you are now getting an updated report in this letter.” We see Daniel as an example of one of God’s children who have gone on before us and made that decision. He could have given the excuse that he did not want to go against the king, but he determined in his heart not to defile himself, and he took the steps to address it: “But Daniel determined in his heart that he would not defile himself by [eating his portion of] the king’s rich and dainty food or by [drinking] the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might [be allowed] not to defile himself.” (Daniel 1v8, AMP). By looking unto, fixing our eyes on, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, we are able to throw aside every weight and the sin that so easily trips us up. Thank God He is able to help us when we are being tempted: “Because He Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted.” (Hebrews 2v18, NIV). Look unto Him. He gave His life for us, now we live to glorify Him.  

Supplementary Text

“Therefore then, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us, Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it

Prayer

Heavenly Father I thank You for Your Word, and this day I offer myself as a living sacrifice unto You. Please grant me the grace to please You in every way, and not the world or myself, in Jesus name, amen.  Help me to see suffering for Christ as it really is – a privilege and to rejoice in it, in Jesus name, amen.