Tim Maas Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

Christ suffered for us at a specific point in time. However, those who subsequently follow Christ, and who experience opposition, persecution, or hardship for doing so, are (in God's view) sharing in the same sufferings that Christ underwent.

Just as Christ experienced that suffering on our behalf, in order to make possible our redemption from sin and eternal life with God, and was rewarded by being raised from the dead to live eternally, the sufferings that Christ's followers endure because of being His disciples will have a similarly positive outcome, in that (as Peter said) they will ultimately result in our rejoicing when Christ returns in glory at the close of the present age, and we are rewarded by God for the sufferings that we have experienced in this life as a result of being Christ's followers.

March 24 2016 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

STANLEY S. DRANE

I'm glad you asked. We see in 1st.Peter 4:16 (Life Application Bible Notes): It is not shameful to suffer for being a Christian. When Peter and John were persecuted for preaching the Good News, they rejoiced, because such persecution was a mark of God's approval of their work (Acts 5:41). Don't seek out suffering, and don't try to avoid it. Instead, keep on doing what is right, regardless of the suffering it might bring.

November 03 2017 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report