Indeed, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”
II Timothy 3:12

Foundational Fact

God’s goal is not to make you happy. No matter how hard it is for you to believe this, it’s time to do so. Life is not about you being comfortable and happy and successful and pain free! Release the idea that contentment requires comfort! (Charles Swindoll)

There are Two Kinds of Suffering

One is suffering for disobedience’s sake – which is of Satan!

The second is suffering for righteousness’ sake – which is of God!

One brings Holiness and the other brings - mistakes that can’t be fixed!

“Pursue peace with everyone, and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springs up and causes trouble, and through it many become defiled. See to it that no one becomes like Esau, an immoral and godless person, who sold his birthright for a single meal. You know that later, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, even though he sought the blessing with tears. Hebrews 12:14-17 (NIV)

But I want to Have Fun!

“People today seem always to be looking for fun or entertainment, but it is significant that “fun” is never mentioned in the Bible, so it is evidently not considered to be a very significant part of the Christian life. The word “entertain” is used to speak of hospitality, and such activities as “play” and “reveling” only receive condemnation. (“Playing” is appropriate for children and animals, of course.)

Christians, however, have something far better than worldly fun, they have heavenly joy! This is the unique privilege of the redeemed . . .”

(Henry Morris, PHD., Institute for Creation Research)

Don’t Worry, Be Happy?

In the King James Version of the Bible the word “happy” only appears 28 times! The following are just few of those references:

“But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed (happy). I Peter 3:14

“Blessed (Happier) are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:10 (NRSV)

“Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth (Shaddai’s discipline); therefore, despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty.” Job 5:17 (KJV)

“. . . whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.” Proverbs 16:20 (KJV)
Jesus Set the Example by Suffering!

“Therefore, he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.” Hebrews 2:17-18

“It was fitting that God,i for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings.” Hebrews 2: 10

“In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him” Hebrews 5:7-9

“Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same intention (for whoever has suffered in the flesh has finished with sin), SO as to live for the rest of your earthly lifeb no longer by human desires but by the will of God.” I Peter 4:1-2

“For he has graciously granted you the “privilege” not only of believing in Christ, but of suffering for him as well.” Philippians 1:29

“I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Philippians 3:10

“When we cry, “Abba!m Father!” it is that very Spirit bearing witnessn with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.” Romans 8:15-18

The Example of Christ’s Suffering
(Isaiah 53.7—9)

“For it is a credit to you if, being aware of God, you endure pain while suffering unjustly. If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, what credit is that? But if you endure when you do right and suffer for it, you have God’s approval. For to this you have been called because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps. “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his woundsi you have been healed. For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls. I Peter 2:19-25

“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sisters in all the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering. And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the power forever and ever. Amen. I Peter 5:6-11

“Just as there were many who were astonished at him —so marred was his appearance, beyond human semblance, and his form beyond that of mortals—” Isaiah 52:14“And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write:

These are the words of the first and the last, who was dead and came to life: “I know your affliction and your poverty, even though you are rich. I know the slander on the part of those who say that they are Jews and are not but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Beware, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison so that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have affliction. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. Whoever conquers will not be harmed by the second death. Revelations 2:8-11

Thorn in the Flesh Theology

“God is not a “heavenly bellboy” delivering only pleasurable and comforting things to our door. He doesn’t exist to make us happy. We exist to bring him glory! It is not always the Father’s plan to relieve the pressure. Our happiness is not God’s chief aim. He doesn’t have a wonderful, comfortable plan for everybody’s life-not from a human perspective. Often his plan is nowhere near wonderful. As with Saul (Paul) his answer is not what we prayed and hoped for. But, remembering that He is forming us more and more into the image of His Son, it helps us understand His answer is based on His long-range plan, not our immediate relief.”

Job: While scraping sores off his body – said, “Shall we indeed accept good from God and not adversity?" (Charles Swindoll)

Suffering for Righteousness Sake is: Picking up your Cross daily, denying yourself and walking like Jesus did – brings crucifixion of self and righteousness suffering!

Simply put: Righteous suffering is a thorn in your flesh!

“It is necessary to boast; nothing is to be gained by it, but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. I know a person in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows. And I know that such a person—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows— was caught up into Paradise and heard things that are not to be told, that no mortal is permitted to repeat. On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. But if I wish to boast, I will not be a fool, for I will be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think better of me than what is seen in me or heard from me, considering the exceptional character of the revelations. Therefore, to keep me from being too elated, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong. II Corinthians 12:7-10

Be Strong!

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as children “My child, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, or lose heart when you are punished by him; for the Lord disciplines those whom he loves, and chastises every child whom he accepts. Endure trials for the sake of discipline. God is treating you as children; for what child is there whom a parent does not discipline? If you do not have that discipline in which all children share, then you are illegitimate and not his children. Moreover, we had human parents to discipline us, and we respected them. Should we not be even more willing to be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share his holiness. Now, discipline always seems painful rather than pleasant at the time, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:8-11

Pursue Holiness

“Pursue peace with everyone, and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springs up and causes trouble, and through it many become defiled. Hebrews 12:14

(Verse 15 in the above scripture tells us that there are mistakes that can’t be fixed!)

“God loves every person as though there was no one else to love. Likewise, He deals with each of us as though there were no one else to deal with!” (St. Augustine)

Keep Going!

“So, we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; forwhat can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal. For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling— if indeed, when we have taken it off we will not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan under our burden, because we wish not to be unclothed but to be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. So, we are always confident; even though we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord—for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we do have confidence, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So, whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. For all of us must appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may receive recompense for what has been done in the body, whether good or evil. II Corinthians 4:16-5:10

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