16^th November 2024

Alex Buabeng-Korsah

Theme: SUFFERING FOR HIS SAKE

THEME SCRIPTURE: "The people of the world will persecute you because you belong to me, for they don’t know God who sent me." — John 15:21 (TLB)

PREPARATORY QUESTION

1. Is it the case that everyone who comes to Christ and lives for Him should suffer for His sake?

Many people are heartbroken because of the many sufferings in this world. "But I thought Jesus came so that the sufferings of this world would stop," you might have thought. However, what we do not know is that Jesus also brought suffering to those who choose to follow Him.

 

As followers of Christ, we have been appointed for one purpose—to bear imperishable fruit to the glory of the Father. However, it must be noted that our holy service to the world will never be fully appreciated. Evil men cannot stand the presence of righteousness. It tortures their conscience. Hence, persecuting God's righteous people has always been the strategy of the world to weaken the advancement and influence of the godly. Thus, the more Christlike we are, precious one, the more closely we shall be identified with His suffering. According to our theme scripture, we are informed that the world will hate us because we belong to, and follow, the Master.

 

Beloved, be aware that the true follower of Christ has suffering to endure. It is a suffering that emanates from the world's hatred for us. Don’t forget: "There’s no limit to the hatred and persecution which the world will vent on us just because we have ceased to belong to it." Our “crime” will be this—we have identified with the Crucified One, in the way we think, talk, and conduct our lives. So then, the world seeks to crucify us too.

 

Beloved, rejoice, and be glad when the pitiless storm of persecution and hatred comes. There must be no slacking in our faith and no retreat in our love for this crooked generation. We must be determined never to be deterred, and by that, we will also surely conquer hatred, as tomorrow's sun will conquer the darkness of today.

 

“Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12). O, my God, give me strength to endure, because this is inevitable.

 

When Paul had endured the sufferings of Christ, he warned, "From now on let no person trouble me [by making it necessary for me to vindicate my apostolic authority and the divine truth of my Gospel], for I bear on my body the [brand] marks of the Lord Jesus [the wounds, scars, and other outward evidence of persecutions—these testify to His ownership of me]!” (Galatians 6:17). Our wounds of persecution are our outward evidence and sure testimony that Christ owns us.

 

Beloved, where are your scars? Where are your wounds, precious one? If you do not have scars, you probably are not Christ-like enough to attract the world's attention. Arise, and go on from here!

Remain blessed.

 

FURTHER READING:  John 15:18-27

 Call to Salvation: Today is your day if you have not received salvation by turning over your life to Jesus Christ. Click here to do so.

 

QUESTION TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD  

1. How are you prepared for your sufferings in Christ?

 

PRAYER:

Father, for the sake of Christ, I am prepared to suffer. But by strength shall no man prevail. Help me to know that with You, I have overcome the world, such that no matter what may come my way, I will endure to the praise and glory of our Lord. Hallelujah.

 

One-Year Bible Reading Plan

Nehemiah 3,  Hosea 13, 1Thessalonians 1, 1 Thessalonians 2