To Be Least
"For he who is least among you all--he is the greatest." (Luke 9:48)Thursday, May 27, 2004
Rejoice in our Sufferings
Too often I think that people have the false perception that once you become a Christian life will become easier. Somehow, they get into their minds that they will not have to experience hardships that everyone in their life eventually faces.
All one has to do is to begin to read the book of Acts. The early church was persecuted, many killed for their faith in Jesus. Many of the New Testament books were written by the apostles when they were in prison. However, they were not complaining or grumbling about how hard their life was.
In fact they did the opposite. When Saul began to destroy the church in Jerusalem, and scattered the believers, they began to preach the gospel wherever they went. A common perception is that once a bad thing happens to them, it means that God has abandoned them. Yet, despite the horrible things being done to the physical church, the people just continued to preach and proclaim the good news. Rather then doubting God's presence they continued to do his will.
Later, when Peter and some of the other apostles were placed in prison and were released later, they rejoiced because they were counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.
On another occasion Paul and Silas were experiencing some hard times, yet read how they responded to it.
They remained faithful, they prayed, and they sang hymns. This, I am sure, was unusual behavior for prisoners who were flogged and placed in stocks. Did they think that God had left them? No they did not. I will end this post with this verse from Romans. God bless.
All one has to do is to begin to read the book of Acts. The early church was persecuted, many killed for their faith in Jesus. Many of the New Testament books were written by the apostles when they were in prison. However, they were not complaining or grumbling about how hard their life was.
In fact they did the opposite. When Saul began to destroy the church in Jerusalem, and scattered the believers, they began to preach the gospel wherever they went. A common perception is that once a bad thing happens to them, it means that God has abandoned them. Yet, despite the horrible things being done to the physical church, the people just continued to preach and proclaim the good news. Rather then doubting God's presence they continued to do his will.
Later, when Peter and some of the other apostles were placed in prison and were released later, they rejoiced because they were counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.
On another occasion Paul and Silas were experiencing some hard times, yet read how they responded to it.
23After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. 24Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.
25About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. (Acts 16:23-25)
They remained faithful, they prayed, and they sang hymns. This, I am sure, was unusual behavior for prisoners who were flogged and placed in stocks. Did they think that God had left them? No they did not. I will end this post with this verse from Romans. God bless.
Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. (Romans 5:2-4)
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