Suffering For Christ

The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus. [Acts 5.41]

Ah ha! There it is, "suffering for Christ."

It is a shame there is such a fuss over suffering. The reason for this is because people are ignorant of what the Bible says.

Let me explain...

There exists a gross misunderstanding of God's Word when it comes to suffering. The suffering Acts 5.41 speaks of is indeed suffering for Christ. It is NOT sickness or disease or the likes. And yet, many confuse their sickness or disease with suffering for Christ.

Sickness, disease, and a plethora of other 'bad things' are listed as curses for disobedience in Deuteronomy 28.15-68. Every believer in Christ should understand that redemption from these curses is found in Christ (Galatians 3.13)! These curses for disobedience should never be mistaken as "suffering for Christ."

Clearly however, Jesus explained that His followers would suffer - not curses for disobedience, but rather persecution for obedience to Christ. There is an enormous difference! In fact, Jesus' own forgiveness that healed the curses of sickness and disease contributed to His being persecuted and eventually crucified.

The Bible indeed teaches that those who follow Christ will suffer persecution. However, Jesus' life and ministry confirm what the Bible says about redemption from curses for disobedience.

Consider this: until we first understand and then treat sickness and disease (curses) like Jesus treated them, it is not likely we will ever experience true suffering for Christ, like Jesus, Peter and the apostles (in today's OYCB reading) suffered for doing good (namely, healing people).

Most Christians have dreaded the "end times persecution" the Bible tells about for as long as they can remember. But I am telling you here that, as long as they erroneously write off sickness and disease as "suffering for Christ," instead of healing it as Jesus taught and demonstrated, they will NEVER be able to rejoice in suffering disgrace for the Name of Jesus.

Here is a highly effective Biblical prescription for persecution (suffering for Christ): start healing sick people and casting out demons. It is guaranteed to bring on persecution - many times, immediately!

We were never meant to rejoice in sickness and disease. Instead, these curses should serve to remind us of our disobedience, Christ's atonement for the repentant, and God's grace (favor, healing...) attained by faith. The only rejoicing we should ever do in sickness and disease is our rejoicing that we have sufficient faith to receive God's sufficient grace - that Jesus has redeemed us from every curse.

I believe that end times "signs" will indeed include a move of outstanding healing and miracles that will draw out the unbridled fury of powerless religious people and powerful godless people alike.

Father, may I be counted worthy to suffer for Christ!