![]() Speaking of his suffering in chains, Paul wrote: But Paul doesn’t simply persevere he celebrates the outcome of any hardship and the advancement of God’s purposes. Paul is not only teaching the necessity of affliction but he is illustrating it through the process of his life. ![]() The apostle who wrote, “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ” (1 Cor 11:1) is establishing the pace and pattern of Christian discipleship. Paul also called believers to this glorious destiny while demonstrating a pattern for them to emulate:įor to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me (Phil 1:29-30). Like Christ, our suffering is an accomplishment of God’s will. The Greek word translated “accomplished” draws a parallel between the sufferings of Christ and the sufferings of His followers. Suffering is being “accomplished” (endured, completed) by our “brethren” throughout the world. ![]() Within this call to arms, Peter points to the Body of Christ and the universality of suffering for the cause of the gospel. To be firm “firm” is to hold ground and not surrender immovable, solid, and steadfast. The Christian is called to action and not passivity. Peter is specific in his instruction when spiritual attack comes, believers are to fight! “Resist” is a military term meaning to withstand, oppose, and set one’s self against the opposition. Peter continues:īut resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world (1 Pet 5:9). As a result Peter not only warns Christians of the trials ahead, but also provides a glimpse of His heavenly objective. Everything God does is, in the end, an expression of His holiness. Suffering is providential and purposeful and ultimately reveals God’s sovereign goodness. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you…” (Jn 15:18-20a).Īlthough it may be difficult for our minds to grasp, suffering under spiritual assault is to be an expected part of the Christian life. If you were of the world, the world would love its own but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. Jesus was clear that while in this world, His followers would be subject to the same persecution He endured: But in truth, our reward is eternal and glorious, not bound by the constraints of this world (Rom 8:18). Many Christians wrongly assume that obedience and service lead only to earthly blessings. Like soldiers in battle we must be “alert” and clear minded always in a state of preparedness, knowing that the “adversary” is intent on our destruction. Therefore believers are called to be “sober” in spirit calm, temperate, and circumspect. Most have not experienced the focused attack of the enemy, set on destruction and death.īut Peter is stern in his warning, knowing that a faithful walk with Christ and devoted service to the Kingdom, will most certainly arouse the devil’s appetite. ![]() These words are well known to Christians but few understand the gravity of the threat. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Pet 5:8). During a time of great distress and persecution, the apostle Peter wrote to the church: “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert.
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