We are in a generation of prosperity preaching. It is the time of “bread and butter” Christianity. These are the days when Christianity has been turned into a commodity and a cash and carry business. It is now “buy one get one free”. A time when people come to God not because they love Him and desire to serve Him but because of what they think that they can get from Him. We no longer talk about contending earnestly for the faith that was once delivered unto us (Jude vs 3). In this week’s message, we will be looking at the suffering of believers. Let me say that we are not considering those who are suffering for the evil that they have committed against God or against the civil laws. Neither are we talking about those who are punished for distorting their church’s financial records in order to evade tax and deceive the government. We are also not looking at those who have been jailed for having carnal knowledge of under-aged fellow men and/or women (1 Pet 4:15). Our focus is on those who suffer for their belief in Christ and His cross. I ask again, “Why do Christians suffer?” Is it of God for believers to suffer, maimed, persecuted, martyred etc?
1. God allows believers to pass through certain situations in life for them to be more matured in Him (1 Pet 1:7; James 1:3; Rom 5:3-5). God may also permit pain and affliction in our lives so that we might be able to comfort and encourage other sufferers (2 Cor 1:4). This helps to deepen the effectiveness of our ministries (2 Cor 4:7-10).
2. God permits sufferings for the righteous in order to further the cause of His kingdom and His plan for redemption. For example, all the injustices that Joseph experienced were to preserve a remnant on earth and save lives by a great deliverance (Gen 45:7). God also used it to bring him to his place of destiny. Our Lord Jesus was permitted by God to be crucified in order to save man from sin (Mt 26:53-54).
3. Believers also suffer because we have the mind of Christ. To be a Christian or Believer means to be in Christ. He is one in Christ. He is one whose lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing. To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume (2 Cor 2:15-16 (NLT). Since the Christian is a dreadful smell of death and doom to the unbeliever he should therefore expect a hostile reaction from the world and its systems (1 John 5:19). The people of the world will always be antagonistic to the righteous because they are of their father the devil (John 8:44). Those who love the Lord Jesus and follow His principles of truth and righteousness will be persecuted for their faith. Suffering because of righteousness is an indication of our genuine devotion to Christ. Our Lord in Mt 5:10 says “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Also look at 1 Pet 4:12-16.
Suffering as a Christian is not a curse but a blessing. Our fathers who earnestly contended for this faith suffered. James the brother of John was beheaded by Herod (Acts 12:1-2), Stephen was stoned to death by the Jews (Acts 7:54-60). Paul suffered greatly for the gospel (2 Cor 11:22-30). History has it that he was eventually be-headed by Emperor Nero. John was put into a boiling caldron but was miraculously delivered. He was later banished to the Island of Patmos where he received the revelation as we have it in the book of Revelation. None of the twelve apostles, except John the beloved died naturally. Persecutions did not start and end with the apostles. A look at Foxes Book of Martyrs by John Foxe shows an array of Christian martyrs through the centuries. The likes of Polycarp when told by the governor of Rome “Reproach Christ and I will release you” responded thus “eighty six years I have served him, and He never once wronged me. How then shall I blaspheme my King who has saved me?” he was eventually pierced through with a sword and his body burnt in fire. William Tyndale paid the ultimate price for us to have the Bible in English language.
Brethren the way of the cross is full of thorns. Although nobody prays for it, but it will surely come in one form or the other. It is part of our lives as Christians (Phi 1:29). They who live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution (2 Tim 3:12). Our Lord talks about persecution being part of the fringe benefits of being a believer (Mark 10:30). If you haven’t experienced it now you will experience it later. One of my favourite ministers in Assemblies of God, Lagos, Nigeria in the early - mid 1990s will always say that if you don’t experience suffering and challenges as a believer, how then can you get to the level of cracking bones as a believer?
It is time for us brethren to develop the love and attitude like those of early believers who ran this race before us. Let us be positive when we suffer for His name’s sake for God is faithful and able to give us the grace to bear such (1 Cor 10:13). Remember that He also suffered, was humiliated and eventually crucified by those He created (Acts 2:22-24). He suffered all this in order to redeem us and give us life in Him. Paul in Rom 8:18 says that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us. Let us say to ourselves and be fully persuaded that nothing shall separate us from the love of God which is Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom 8:39). Remember that if we suffer with Him we shall also be glorified together (Rom 8:17).
Please join me to sing one of the old time songs which most unfortunately is almost extinct in our churches today. This song has always been and will always remain a blessing to every true believer.
1. I have decided to follow Jesus (3ce)
No turning back (2ce)

2. The cross before me the world behind me (3ce)
No turning back (2ce)

3. If no one joins me I will still follow (3ce)
No turning back (2ce)

4. You take the whole world but give me Jesus (3ce)
I’m satisfied (2ce)

God bless you.