“Rejoicing in suffering” . . . In some parts of the world, believers understand this concept very well. But most of us who have lived in relatively free societies have never learned to see persecution as a privilege. We miss the ways it connects us with Jesus and demonstrates His life within us.”- Chip Ingram
“But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps.”- 1 Peter 2:20-21 (NIV)
As Chip Ingram moves on in Chapter 8 of I Choose Joy, he looks at the second great promise God has for all of us.
2. Rejoicing in suffering. In the second chapter of Philippians, Paul presents Jesus as the perfect example of the attributes the believers at Philippi needed to adopt. Hence, those believers need to look no further than Jesus. Because Jesus demonstrated what it looked like to suffer for boldly speaking and living out the truth in love.
In addition, Chip reports, the emperor Constantine legalized Christianity in AD 313. At that time Christians had grown from a small group of disciples to about 6 million people. Because they lived a radical lifestyle, even when the suffered for it. In fact, this suffering played a key role in the growth of the church. Hence, by AD 350 estimates put the number of Christians in the Roman Empire at 33 million.
In conclusion, Chip explains:
“From the perspective of Peter and Paul, suffering doesn’t just happen occasionally. It’s part of the package. It may not be part of the package for every person in all seasons, but it is everyone’s experience at some point. And we need to live with that expectation, knowing that some of the earliest followers of Jesus considered it their privilege.”
Today’s question: Do you find it hard to see persecution as a privilege? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Accomplish His good in a fallen world”