17^th January 2025

Alex Buabeng-Korsah

THEME: FELLOWS OF HIS SUFFERING

THEME SCRIPTURE: "For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;" (Philippians 1:29)

PREPARATORY QUESTIONS:

1. Is suffering part of the Christian life?

2. What does it mean to suffer for Christ’s sake?

One of the important keys which has not been played much on the keyboard of the Christian faith is suffering. Much has been said about the fact that if Christ has suffered in your place on the cross, it is wrong to suffer as a Christian. As a result, many Christians have become like Ephraim, who is a cake not turned (Hosea 7:8). A cake which is not turned in the oven comes out with one side overly cooked and burnt while the other side is barely cooked. Eating it becomes difficult.

Yeah, it is true that what Christ has suffered in your place you must not suffer.

For He bore our griefs and carried our sorrows (Isaiah 53:4) and the chastisement of our peace has been laid upon Him (Isaiah 53:5). But there are types of suffering, and the one our theme scripture is emphasizing is suffering for Christ’s sake.

Precious one, what is beautiful about our theme scripture is that Paul, by the Spirit, instructs us that “unto us is given the privilege for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him but also to suffer for His sake”. ‘It is given’ means there is something to take by you and me. What is given, someone must receive willingly.

This suffering, which is for Christ's sake (for the good of His interest and the glory of His name), is a privilege.

What does it mean to suffer for the sake of Christ practically? – sufferings for the advancement of His gospel; sufferings for Christ's interest of reconciling the world unto Himself; sufferings which advance His body, the Church. Precious one, if you suffer because you are a believer of Christ, blessed are you. If you should suffer because you stood for the truth, blessed are you. If you should suffer because you shared the gospel of Christ with the world and the world hated you, blessed are you.

 Today, we must remember the word that Jesus said unto us – the servant is not greater than his Master. If they have persecuted Me, they will persecute you too… (John 15:20).

There is an emerging set of believers who are unwilling to pay the price, not for their salvation, but for the preservation of the faith for the next generation and also the spread of it. Hence, some of them have done what they are not supposed to do to get jobs. For fear of persecution in the workplace, some prefer that no one knows their faith. “After all, faith is a matter between you and God”, they say.

Beloved in Christ, if you have decided to stand true for Christ’s sake, then know that you will be troubled on every side, but for the Holy Spirit in you, you will not be distressed.

Beloved, the day you chose to follow Christ, you too became a fellow in His suffering. Hence, you will be persecuted but you will not be forsaken (He is in you and with you). You will be cast down but you can’t be destroyed (2 Corinthians 4:8-9). You will definitely have the mark of Christ's suffering upon your life. When a man has suffered for Christ and His purpose for his life, and remains standing, then can he say ‘I have fought a good fight’.

Precious one, the people who know their God will strengthen themselves and do exploits in the face of godly suffering. Receive God’s strength to suffer for Christ’s sake, in Jesus’ precious name. Amen.

FURTHER READING: 2 Corinthians 11:23-28

Call to Salvation: Today is your day if you have not received salvation by turning over your life to Jesus Christ. Click here to do so.

QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD:

1. If you should take stock of your Christian journey, would you say that you have suffered for Christ’s sake?

CONFESSION:

Precious Jesus, you suffered dearly for my sake. You have shamefully borne my sins and carried my guilt. Today, you live in me, giving me hope and a future. Should it be too much for me to suffer for your sake? What can I do to match what you have done for me? I receive strength and courage to stand for you in the marketplace and in the boardroom and wherever you lead me. Hallelujah!

One-Year Bible Reading Plan

Genesis 31; Psalm 17; Matthew 17