Scripture Post #592: *SUFFER FOR HIM*

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;"

Disclaimer: The image used for this Scripture Post, in its original form, was from an image search engine. It is not an image of my own. 

This Scripture was from Apostle Paul and Timotheus, to the Saints of Philippi, with the Bishops and Deacons (Phil. 1:1).

"For unto you it is given…" For unto you what is given? Salvation. Salvation is given. Because the previous verse mentions salvation. This is why context is important. 

Context:

Phil. 1:28: "And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God."

V. 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;"

So the meaning of this Passage is to not be terrified by adversaries because of the Gospel you believe (in Apostle Paul's day you could be beaten, imprisoned, or even killed for proclaiming the Gospel of JESUS CHRIST), which, to your persecutors, is meant to damn you. But the Gospel, to you, is meant for salvation. And that salvation is meant not only for you to believe on JESUS, but to *SUFFER FOR HIM*. Are you willing to suffer for HIM? Are you willing to suffer for HIM as the early Apostles did? Is GOD worth suffering for in your opinion? Did CHRIST not suffer for you? Is one of the fruits of the Spirit not "long-suffering"? Why do we squirm at suffering? Why do we think it bad? Is there no joy in suffering as our LORD did? Or as the early Apostles did? To do without, and to cause your flesh to suffer long for what it desires but can't have should be a joy of ours. To suffer ridicule of others who just don't get our fervor—just don't understand our passion for GOD, should be a joy of ours. Shouldn't it? We're not happy in the fact that our feelings are hurt. We don't take joy in the hurting pain that suffering brings. We joy in the fact that nothing we're going through, or could ever go through, is worse than what our LORD and SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST went through. Why is it that when I turn on Gospel television, Christianity looks like miracles, riches, abundance, good living, financial miracles and pleasure, only? As if Christians aren't to suffer! I CAN'T FIND A SINGLE SERVANT OF GOD IN THE OLD OR NEW TESTAMENT WHO DIDN'T SUFFER!!! It's like we want a show. It's like Church has intertwined with the Arts. I refuse. I refuse not to suffer for my LORD. I refuse to just sit back and chill as others across this globe are being tortured for HIS sake! I refuse to think of Christianity as happy days and fun times only, with no commitment or suffering on our part whatsoever. I refuse. I refuse not to suffer. 

It's not about pleasure and ease of living—it's about JESUS CHRIST!

Originally Published: Sun. 4/27/14