The Doorpost: Obedience through suffering
By Ray King · Oct 01, 2013
For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,
Philippians 1:29
It has been granted to us to suffer for Jesus’ sake. He came to give us abundant life (John 10:10), but that doesn’t mean life will be easy. Jesus learned obedience through what He suffered (Hebrews 5:8). We will, too. The world hated Jesus. It will hate us, too (John 15:18-20).
Jesus said that we will have tribulation in this world, but He also offered the assurance that He has overcome the world. We should not be surprised when trials test us, and we can rejoice when they do. We share in Christ’s sufferings now, but we know we will be able to rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed (1 Peter 4:12-13). It has been granted to us to suffer for His sake.