Thoughts for another day

April 6, 2010

Today's verse: Philip. 1:29. For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

You read that right: On behalf of Christ, not only are we given the privilege of believing in Him, we also have the double privilege of suffering for His Name. To many ears, it may sound a little strange as to how we’re also given to suffer for His sake, particularly when we believe. If you were to reason it out you’ll understand that when you love someone and your life is completely bound with that person, you’ll delight even in suffering for that person, because he or she is so delightful in your eyes. Moreover, Jesus Christ Himself suffered and the Bible tells us that though He was the Son, He learned obedience through suffering (Heb 5:8) and God made the Captain of our salvation, perfect through suffering (Heb. 2:10). Suffering is a privilege in the Christian’s life.

God unequivocally believes in the maxim of suffering. If Jesus Himself suffered, how much more must we, who’re worthless before Him? He loved us so much that He even chose the worst kind of death for Himself and that too after a scourging, which was savage to say the least. What does that tell you about Jesus Christ? As for me, it says that Jesus is the greatest love of my life. There can be no one, whether wife, child, brother, sister, parent, relative or friend who can love me more than Him and I’m reminded of His saying, ‘Greater love can none have than that he lay down his life for his friends’ (Jn. 15:13).

Truly my friend when Jesus has loved us so much and laid down His precious life for us, can we love Him any less? We daily have problems in our struggle with sins that block our love for Him, yet, when it comes to it, can’t we love Him more than anything else? Is it too difficult? Is it impossible to do what He has asked us to do? Think about it, in the awesome gush of pure love flowing from our Savior and Lord, can we remain indifferent? I guess, we can’t help but love Him just as He loves us. When this happens, He allows us to also suffer for the sake of His Name whereby we find delight and joy in our hearts.