The Gift of Suffering for Christ

Suffering is not an unusual or strange thing for the child of God. It is part of the package of the overall gift of God that accompanies His salvation. In fact, the Bible tells us that to suffer for Christ is "given" to us:

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

Notice, it says it is "not only" given to us to believe. As we understand that faith is a gift of God:

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

But it is also given (also a gift) that we suffer for His sake. That's odd isn't it? Why would God tell us it is a gift to suffer for Christ's sake?

The reason is – if we are truly able to suffer for Christ's sake (rather than suffer for our own errors and sins) than this would mean that we had indeed become saved. Typically, the child of God experiences unjust suffering as they hold onto the truths of the Word of God. And holding onto the truths of the Word of God is a strong indicator that one has become born again. The suffering for Christ's (Word's) sake then – becomes a sort of a comforting experience because it is a thankful sort of suffering. It is not our usual type of suffering at all. In the past we suffered due to our lusts, our drunkenness, our laziness, our callousness, etc.

But now the suffering is tied to understanding and believing and following Bible truth. This signals an enormous change in the life of an individual. Suffering that we can count as good often goes hand in hand with assurance of salvation. Someone who was only a professed Christian would not be drawn to the truth, or if they were once the fire was intensified many would drop it like a hot potato to avoid the burning pain (suffering).

So next time you feel cast down, weary in soul, troubled because former friends and family may have separated from you due to holding onto the things of the Bible – remember, that God not only gave you a gift of believing – but also a gift of suffering on the behalf of Christ. After considering that will you still continue to suffer? Probably. But at least your suffering will be thankworthy.