Suffering for Jesus Part 17
1 Peter 4:13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. KJV Note: AMP=Amplified Bible; NKJV=New King James Version
Not only does the Apostle Peter want us to not think 💬 it is something strange happening to us when we suffer as followers of Christ Jesus our Lord, but he wants us to instead be full of cheer, that is, to express great 😃 joy as he writes with these words, "But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy 😹." (1 Peter 4:13) KJV. This is because we are sharing in Christ's sufferings and as we are being persecuted, He (Christ) is being persecuted because we are members of His Mystical Body. Before Paul the Apostle was converted by our Lord Jesus Christ, he was zealous for chasing after the followers of (at that time known as 'the Way') Christ as it is written Paul bearing testimony of his own violent behavior, "I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city 🌆 at the feet 🐾 of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of our father's law, and was zealous towards God as you all are today. I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women, as also the High Priest bears me witness, and all the council of the elders, from whom I also received letters to the brethren, and went to Damascus to bring in chains ⛓️even those who were there to Jerusalem to be punished. Now it happened, as I journeyed and came near Damascus at about noon, suddenly a great light 🕯️ from Heaven shone around me. And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?' So I answered, 'Who are You, Lord?' And He said to me, 'I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.'" (Acts 22:3-8) (NKJV). Notice that our Lord Jesus never said to Saul (at the time), 'Why are you persecuting My followers?' Our willing suffering for Christ sake comes when we adhere to His Word no matter what or where we are and who opposes us or disdains us for declaring and endeavoring to walk out or live out the truth of His Holy Word as Paul said when he wrote this, "Indeed, all who delight in pursuing righteousness and are determined to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be hunted and persecuted [because of their/our faith]." (2 Timothy 3:12) (AMP). Here is what John Wesley had to say of 1 Peter 4:13, "For the measure of the glory answers the measure of suffering; and much more abundantly." Here is what the JFB Commentary had to say of 1 Peter 4:13, "By suffering are we partakers of Christ's sufferings, that is, by faith enter into realizing fellowship with them; willingly for His sake suffering as He suffered. If we will not bear suffering for Christ now, we must bear eternal sufferings hereafter."
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray 🙏 this from your heart ❤️ to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn 🛞 from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart ❤️ and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen!
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