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SUFFERING IN RIGHTEOUSNESS
SATURDAY, APRIL 2
1 Peter 4:12-16

2 Timothy 3:12-17

 

“…if any man suffer as a Christian,

let him not be ashamed…”

 

SUFFERING IN RIGHTEOUSNESS
 
It is not surprising that Christians living in sin are corrected by the Lord through suffering. However, some Christians, who are unlearned in the Scriptures, are surprised to find that suffering can come into the life of a Christian living in obedience.
 
Jesus told those who would follow Him that they should not be surprised if the world hated them since the world hated Him (John 15:18-19). The Apostle John also referred to this fact as he endeavoured to encourage Christians to love one another as part of their defence against the hatred and persecution of the world (1 John 2:13).
 
The Apostle Peter continued this theme. The world is wicked and when we live for God, it causes those who hate righteousness to strike out. Thus, it is not strange if great difficulties enter the life of an obedient Christian. We can rejoice in that we are allowed to suffer with our Lord, in some small measure, in presenting righteousness and salvation to the lost (1 Pet 4:12-13). Paul made the statement, in his letter to young Timothy, that anyone who wants to live for God will suffer some form of persecution (2 Tim 3:12). The persecution may simply be ridicule from friends or neighbours. It may, however, take on a more serious form – we may even find ourselves missing out on promotions in our company or losing business contracts because of our Christian principles.
 
However, no matter how we are called upon to suffer, we should remember that it is not a strange or unusual thing. When we do suffer for the cause of Christ, we should not feel any sense of shame but should praise God that we have been found worthy to suffer for Him (1 Pet 4:16). Thus, we can see that Christians often suffer simply because the world is wicked and hates the Lord whom we serve, or the righteousness that our lives show. May we be encouraged to live for God, knowing that our sufferings for Him cannot be compared to the joy He has prepared for us in eternity (Rom 8:18).
 
THOUGHT: Can an obedient Christian experience great hardship?

PRAYER: Help me, Father, to be prepared to suffer in righteousness.

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