Reasons to Persevere in Suffering

In the weight-training rooms across America you often hear the phrase,"no pain, no gain!" An athelete understands quite well the necessity oftraining to prepare for a future race. This training involves discipline,hardship, and hard work -- the "pain". All this is to build up and strengthenthe body in order to win the race -- the "gain".

Our LORD Jesus Christ lived this same principle, "no pain, no gain"as He endured the greatest suffering of all in order to win the greatestprize of all -- a people cleansed and forgiven of sin, made holy, and reconciledto Almighty God. He wants to strengthen you and build you up for future"races" -- places of service in His kingdom which will require more ofyou than you possess today. One of the primary ways to mold you and refineyour faith is through suffering. In our Scripture today, Peter calls these"fiery trials" (1 Peter. 4:12, NKJV). And,thankfully, he gives us reasons to persevere through these fiery trials.

Main Thought: The Christian who perseveresthrough suffering for the sake of Christ and His gospel reveals the gloryof God at its greatest. You CAN persevere through suffering because sufferingfor the sake of Christ:

1. Identifies you with Him and His gospel (1 Peter. 4:12-13a).
2. Fills you with exceedingly great joy through a deeper understanding ofwhat Christ suffered for you (1 Peter 4:13b).
3. Blesses you with the presence of the glorious Holy Spirit Himself (1 Peter4:14).
4. Purifies your heart in terms of trust, commitment, and goodness (1 Peter4:15-19).

1. Identifies you with Him and His gospel.

12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerningthe fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happenedto you; 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings...(1 Peter 4:12-13a, NKJV)

Why would I want to rejoice in any kind of suffering for the sake of Christ?After all, you may think, suffering is not good for me -- it's suffering!Remember, suffering was not good for Christ in the human sense. He sufferedthe most inhuman treatment anyone could imagine. Yet He endured this sufferingfor you and I. His suffering was for the ultimate good, not His own good.

Peter tells us not to think it strange that we too must endure suffering.His letter was written shortly before the burning of Jerusalem and thewidespread persecution of Christians by Rome. The life-threatening ordealthat each Christian would be facing would be a "fiery trial" indeed. Itis even reported that the mad emporer Nero would coat Christian prisonerswith tar and set them on fire at night to provide light in his garden.Many others would give their lives in the gladiator rings or to the lionsfor the perverted entertainment of the Roman citizens. All because theytenaciously proclaimed that Jesus is LORD of all.

Through this kind of suffering for your faith, you "partakeof Christ's sufferings." When people persecute you in this way,they are really persecuting Christ Himself. Thus, through your sufferingyou become identified with Christ. It is a fact that each of us will facetrouble in this world for Jesus told us, "In thisworld, you will have tribulation" (John 16:33, NKJV).The Apostle Paul also reminds believers that "...toyou it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him,but also to suffer for His sake" (Phil. 1:29, NKJV). So each believermust expect that this is going to be a reality at some point -- some willexclude you, mock you, or even hurt you because of your faith. Accompanythis expectation with an attitude toward suffering that:

• Accepts this suffering as a mark of identification with the One who gaveHimself for the sins of all humanity.
• Sees the ultimate good that Christ has done on the cross and that He isalso doing in you and through you.

Knowing that suffering for the gospel is your personal mark of identificationwith Christ is one reason to persevere through it.

2. Fills you with exceedingly great joy through a deeper understandingof what Christ suffered for you.

but rejoice to the extent that you partakeof Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also beglad with exceeding joy. (1 Peter 4:13b)

Peter goes on to say that to whatever extent you suffer for the sake ofChrist, you will be filled with joy when He returns. He says it will beexceeding joy, joy that makes you wonderfully glad. Why does sufferingfor Christ bring joy to you when He returns? Jesus said at the end of thebook of Revelation,

"Behold, I am coming quickly, and Myreward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. I am theAlpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last."(Rev. 22:12-13, NKJV)

The believer will be rewarded by Christ personally for his work in theKingdom of God. There is not if, but, or maybe to be considered here. Itis a certainty because Christ has already spoken -- it is true. Those whosuffer for their faith in Christ, to the extent that they suffer, willbe rewarded accordingly.

Another thing to consider is the joy that comes from sharing in thesufferings of Christ personally. In his book, My Turn at Bat,Ted Williams describes the brutal regimen of practice which he put himselfthrough to become "the greatest hitter who ever lived." He was the lastbaseball player to earn a .400 batting average. Ted said, "I practiceduntil the blisters bled -- then I practiced some more." He enlisted everyfriend he knew to pitch and shag balls for him -- he even paid strangersto do this. He lived for that next moment he could swing the bat. Veryfew people could understand hitting at his level. Just a few years ago,another great hitter named George Brett came very close to batting .400also. He described a similar regimen of practice in his own life. He wouldget to the park 2-3 hours early for batting practice. He would hit ballson the inside corner, the outside corner, high pitches and low pitches.His routine would cover hitting to left field, center field, and rightfield. He wanted to be able to hit any pitch anywhere on the field. WhenGeorge finally met Ted Williams, they could talk about hitting at a depththat you and I would simply not understand. Through George's sufferingin practice, he gained a deeper understanding of what Ted had gone throughto become such a great hitter.

While suffering is hard to endure, it will produce in you a deeper understandingof what Christ went through for you. You will love Him more. Your joy inknowing Him will be greater. Your appreciation of His sacrifice for youwill be greater.

So you can moan and groan about your suffering for Christ or you canbe glad at the prospect of His return. As one pundit said, "pain is inevitable,misery is optional." You will surely be rewarded for your struggle andhave an exceedingly greater joy in having known His sufferings. This isthe second reason to persevere through suffering.

3. Blesses you with the presence of the glorious Holy Spirit Himself (1Peter 4:14).

14 If you are reproached for the nameof Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests uponyou. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.(1 Peter 4:14, NKJV)

Perhaps the greatest benefit of suffering for the gospel of Jesus Christis found here. Peter has in view those times when people insult or revileyou because you claim the name of Christ. Those who suffer such personalattacks will experience the personal presence of God the Holy Spirit.

It is very hard to stand alone against an accuser. If, however, youhave a strong advocate to stand with you, it becomes easier to stand upto the attack. God's word tells us that:

9 Two are better than one, because theyhave a good reward for their labor. 10 For if they fall, one will liftup his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he hasno one to help him up. 11 Again, if two lie down together, they will keepwarm; but how can one be warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered byanother, two can withstand him...(Eccl 4:9-12, NKJV)

This has wonderful application to the marriage relationship. But it alsoillustrates the need for a helper in times of personal persecution. Willyou be overpowered by such attacks on your character, motives, or actionsbecause of your faith? Not when you have the LORD of Hosts at your side!Peter speaks of the"the Spirit of glory"which "rests upon you"during such times.

• He will be with you to provide comfort for He is the "Fatherof mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation"(2 Cor. 1:3-4a, NKJV).
• He will be with you to provide strength and courage "forthe eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whosehearts are fully committed to him" (2 Chr 16:9a, NIV).
• He will be with you to bring peace to your heart, "thepeace of God which surpasses all understanding" which "willguard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:7, NKJV).

Know that during such times you will be blessed with the presence of Godin a powerful way. This is the third reason to persevere. You will notgo it alone.

4. Purifies your heart in terms of trust, commitment, and goodness.

15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer,a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people's matters. 16 Yetif anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorifyGod in this matter. 17 For the time has come for judgment to begin at thehouse of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of thosewho do not obey the gospel of God? 18 Now "If the righteous one is scarcelysaved, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?" 19 Thereforelet those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls toHim in doing good, as to a faithful Creator. (1 Peter 4:15-19, NKJV)

It is prudent for every Christian to examine his motives for whatever wordor deed has brought about the persecution. Peter admonishes us not to befound suffering for something that would bring shame to the name of Christ.Note that meddling in someone else's affairs is listed in the same linewith being a murderer or thief! Rather than suffering for wrongdoing, besure your motives and conduct are such that they glorify God.

In an interesting way of looking at suffering for your faith, Peterpoints out that if through suffering the righteous person is saved, whatwill be the fate of the ungodly person who rejects Christ? A sobering thoughtto be sure. To the extent that you have suffered persecution for your faith,know that God will surely recompense those who cause it. His justice willbe swift and sure -- perfect justice for every offender.

But Jesus Christ wants to accomplish something in your life throughsuch times of suffering and persecution. It is the purification of yourheart. This speaks of your level of trust in the Living God. This speaksof your commitment to Him and His word. This speaks of your goodness --inside and toward others. Suffering in any form can accomplish this. God,who knows you and knows what you need and what you can bear, will use thisto cleanse, purify, and perfect your faith.

There is no shame in suffering for Christ. This can mean suffering inthe sense of persecution. Based on Peter's statement in verse 19, it seemsto be broadening the sense to include any suffering because you followChrist. For instance:

• Staying by the bed of a sick family member.
• Visiting someone in prison.
• Living in an undesirable place in order to minister and be a witness forChrist.

Peter reminds us that God is our "faithful Creator."He will reward you for such good work. He will vindicate you in any suffering.Your good work must flow from a heart that is fully trusting in Him andfully committed to Him. There is no shame in any suffering when this isthe condition of your heart. Rather, this brings glory to God through Christworking in you and through you.

Reflect on YOUR life: When was the lasttime someone offended you or hurt you because you said you were a Christian?Or when was the last time someone hurt you because something you did outof your love for Christ was misunderstood? These things are hard to takebecause of the pain they cause. It is natural to draw back and turn awayfrom doing the work of Christ for fear of the pain. Even if we gained noblessings in it, we should do it to glorify God.

During such times, remember the One who loves you and gave Himself upfor you on the cross! He knows you and what you can bear. He has calledyou to carry His message of redemption to the very world that crucifiedHim. So suffering is the inevitable identifying mark for your faith. Evenso, you can persevere through suffering for the sake of Christ and Hisgospel for He will make it so -- it reveals the glory of God at its greatest.Your reward and blessing in this are certain. So is your purification.Therefore, put on a good attitude toward it since it is inevitable andproduces such wonderful, eternal dividends.

Our Creator God loves you and wants you to know Him! If you wouldlike to contact this ministry for further information or questions, pleasesend your e-mail to:
Email: ministryrequest1@WordTruth.Com
Web Site: WordTruth.Com

Copyright 1999, Randy Lariscy.