If we are suffering...
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Object:
If we are suffering in any way, it can help to know that God's only son was sent to suffer for us. The people in that day were looking for a mighty leader who would get rid of the Romans and make things easier for the children of Abraham. That might have solved the problem for a little while in that day for those people, but instead God chose to suffer so that ALL the people from that day on might find a different kind of freedom: A freedom from worry and concern about the brief sufferings that all are going through. Turn to Him and He will understand! We see the extreme suffering He volunteered for when He said in the Garden, "Let this cup pass from me." He could have refused the suffering, but then it would have been left for us to endure. The fact that He endured it for our sakes makes Him our Savior! One schismatic group said that His Spirit left His body at the crucifixion so He didn't have to suffer, but then why did He say that prayer?
It is hard to realize that God allowed Himself to become like one of us -- starting as a baby. Growing up in a humble working family, traveling about with no place to lay His head!
Some may complain that, after all, Jesus had a home and a job helping his dad, BUT then he went off to accomplish his mission, which involved rejection and insults and eventually a cross!
As a missionary, a soldier in the Lord's army, I remember the tension of knowing that not just me but my whole family shared the dangers in Nepal. There was not a whole army of missionaries armed with guns ready to help us. There was no government to go to bat for us if we were suffering injustice. There were some Christians being killed for their faith while we were in Nepal. Some were arrested and sent to jail and suffered torture. If you had a few dollars to bribe the authorities, they might let you go FOR A WHILE!
Yes, we are made perfect through suffering, but we have to look forward to the reward for those who endure. We can't see heaven down here, we can only trust the one who opened the door to that reward. If He suffered for it, it must be worthwhile!
If we are tempted, we can have peace because we know that He also was tempted and will help us endure. He was made human, so He knows what we are going through! He has made us His brothers (and sisters). Trust in Him!
It is hard to realize that God allowed Himself to become like one of us -- starting as a baby. Growing up in a humble working family, traveling about with no place to lay His head!
Some may complain that, after all, Jesus had a home and a job helping his dad, BUT then he went off to accomplish his mission, which involved rejection and insults and eventually a cross!
As a missionary, a soldier in the Lord's army, I remember the tension of knowing that not just me but my whole family shared the dangers in Nepal. There was not a whole army of missionaries armed with guns ready to help us. There was no government to go to bat for us if we were suffering injustice. There were some Christians being killed for their faith while we were in Nepal. Some were arrested and sent to jail and suffered torture. If you had a few dollars to bribe the authorities, they might let you go FOR A WHILE!
Yes, we are made perfect through suffering, but we have to look forward to the reward for those who endure. We can't see heaven down here, we can only trust the one who opened the door to that reward. If He suffered for it, it must be worthwhile!
If we are tempted, we can have peace because we know that He also was tempted and will help us endure. He was made human, so He knows what we are going through! He has made us His brothers (and sisters). Trust in Him!
