"Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead." Philippians 3:8-11
"The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." Romans 8:16-18
Paul talked a lot about suffering and he knew a lot about it. In 2 Corinthians 11 Paul gives a list of the ways he had suffered here on the earth. But even with all that he endured, Paul knew that the sufferings of this world were nothing compared to the glory that awaited for him in Christ when he joined the Lord in Heaven.
"For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake." Philippians 1:29
He also recognized that if we are in Christ that we will also suffer as Christ suffered for us. Jesus loved us so much that He suffered the most horrific death ever produced. He endured mocking, beating, and ultimately an agonizing death by hanging on a cross nailed by His hands and feet. Not only that He took the shame of being completely exposed and suffered the weight of the sins of the world on Him as He died. Jesus suffered the death we deserved because we have offended a Holy God.
Knowing how much Jesus suffered for us, how can we not expect suffering in this world? Jesus told us that if we followed Him that we would be hated and deal with persecution.
"You will be hated by all for my name's sake." Luke 21:17
This is repeated in Matthew and Mark. It is said before this that we would be given over by parents, brothers, relatives and friends. People we love and trust will turn against us because of our beliefs. That is suffering for the sake of Christ. If we truly desire to have a life after Christ, we will endure suffering of all kinds for His sake and the Glory of the Lord.
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