Suffering

For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. [1 Peter 2.21]

Yeah, gotta love this scripture! NOT!

The key words (to me) in this passage are: "He is your example..." He, being Jesus, is our example. Any who look over my recent writings will see that I have focused extensively on the fact that we are to look and act like Christ on earth. Why? Because He said so and we consequently know He is our example.

The part we like least about the scripture here is, "...even if it means suffering..."

Peter was clear in today's OYCB reading that suffering for doing evil is not included here. He actually addressed this fact in verse 20 just before the verse discussed here. But he also qualified the topic of my discussion here before that:

For God is pleased when, conscious of his will, you patiently endure unjust treatment. [1 Peter 2.19]

So, there it is. Suffering can be a legitimate part of any believer's life. But it has to be for the right reason! And, there has to be a proper response in it! Patience is absolutely necessary.

Peter goes on to speak more about suffering in his first letter to the Church. Chapter 4 discusses it further and we see that the suffering he is speaking of is directly attached to faith in Jesus. It is tied directly to the ridicule and scorn from those who do not believe.

There is no shortage of rage the world has against God. Just speak of trusting God (which includes a life of holiness) to a non-believer and watch the arrogance and pride surface against God. People want "natural" explanations for everything that do not hold them accountable in any way. A life of faith in God exposes this attitude in all others it comes into contact with. And, the suffering begins...

Let me speak of another suffering that believers experience. It is the experience of suffering because he or she trusts God for what the Bible promises and is persecuted in their own mind or by others for doing so. I will use myself as an example here. I am trusting God to heal my body without me having to place my trust in the medical profession. I want my faith in God to be like Abraham's faith in God - and I do not want anyone (including myself) to be able to say, "the medicine did it..." This may sound far-fetched to many - including many who profess even profound faith in Christ - but I need to do this. My own mind continues to tell me that the medical profession can fix me (because faith is not going to...). It would not matter that I lie with my mouth and "say" if within my soul I believe the medicine did it...

I count myself in good company if I am persecuted for believing God and His Word. I even welcome the insults that I am ignorant or foolish. This suffering is good for me and gives me the opportunity to express my patient faith in God and His Word. God will deliver me. Whether on this earth or in heaven matters not to me. I would like to be healed on earth (as it is in heaven), but I am perfectly content with being healed in heaven! But, what I am not content with is feeling like I have succumbed to doubt and fear.

So, here is the bottom line: It will be an interesting thing to see what God does now. Will I remain faithful and be healed or die? Or will I violate my own conscience and turn to the medical profession? (P.S. Like every other person on earth, I am going to die anyway)

There was definitely a solution to Jesus' suffering - He could have summoned millions of angels to His aid - but He chose not to - why? So His testimony to the world would be pure - an untainted testimony of love and FAITH! HIS HOPE WAS NOT FUTILE!

Perhaps I am believing wrong. But, I am believing, and that is something rare in the earth today.

Father, I have put my faith out there today. You are my God and You are my Healer. I so want to please You and I know that only faith does so...