So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude he had, and be ready to suffer, too. For if you have suffered physically for Christ, you have finished with sin.
– 1 Peter 4:1
How many of us are willing to suffer as Jesus did? Honestly, if it came down to it and you had to make the choice whether to worship God or die, what would you choose? What will you say when faced with the decision, suffer physically, even the possibility or loosing your life or denounce God?
Let me share with you the words for the Apostle Paul from 2 Corinthians 11:25-28, “From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one.Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep;in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fasting often, in cold and nakedness.”
It makes one wonder, why? I do not pretend to have all the answer’s, but I can offer you a piece of advise. Jesus was a God-Man of purity at heart. Innocence from all else, yet… He still suffered… Mentally, yes. They taunted Him. They called Him the worst of names. They even spit at Him. He suffered physically, yes. They beat Him. They whipped Him. They even tortured Him and, they murdered Him.
Listen to Peter’s warning, as he writes in 1 Peter 4:1, “So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude he had, and be ready to suffer, too. For if you have suffered physically for Christ, you have finished with sin.” Peter was telling us, to be a follower of Christ, be prepared to suffer as He did. If they hated Him, they will hate us as well.
So, living for God should be our primary goal in life. Living a pure and clean life is not an easy task in today’s world but, can be accomplished with a lot of discipline and prayer. I’ve found that the closer I’ve become to Christ… The more I am tested and tried. A good friend of mine once told me, Sue said, “Jonathan, new level’s, new devils,” and, this is so true.
May the Lord Bless you and comfort you all today!
Brother Jonathan
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Brother Jonathan's Daily Devotion 