Suffering for Christ's Sake
Suffering and discipleship are synonymous.
Simply resisting the devil with a firm stand in our faith—this is suffering (1 Peter 5:9). The summons to discipleship (Luke 9:23) is a call to suffer for, with, and in Jesus. The essence of discipleship is encapsulated in these words:
When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die. —Dietrich Bonhoeffer*
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As we look at the life of Jesus, we can only expect that the lives of his disciples will exhibit a cruciform shape. Jesus taught his disciples to anticipate the same kinds of suffering he did as they follow in his footsteps:
“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. . .A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.” —John 15:18, 20–21
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The apostle Peter suffered, and he wrote his first letter out of this experience of suffering for Christ’s sake.
You are blessed in suffering.
“But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled. . .” —1 Peter 3:14
You are being sanctified through suffering.
“Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin. . .” —1 Peter 4:1
You are being strengthened by suffering.
“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” —1 Peter 5:10
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The apostle Paul, who was chosen to suffer for Christ (Acts 9:16, 2 Corinthians 16:16–33), writes in his letter this call to every faithful Christian who suffers.
You can expect suffering.
“In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” —2 Timothy 3:12
You can have eternal hope.
“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” —2 Corinthians 4:17
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Missionaries may face greater suffering than most, but the promise of comfort and glory awaits them—along with those they led to Christ.
You were made for this.
Suffer with Christ and for Christ that many would come to know Christ.
*Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship, (New York: NY, The MacMillan Company, 1963).