Why Consider Suffering Joyous?

To the natural person, this sounds like pure lunacy. Nobody in their right mind wants to suffer. In fact, we do all we can to relieve pain.

Yet we Christians are exhorted to consider all trials and persecution to be a joyous occasion. We find this explanation of being joyful in the midst of suffering in James 1:2 and 3 (BBE) which reads, "Let it be all joy to you, my brothers, when you undergo tests of every sort; Because you have the knowledge that the testing of your faith gives you the power of going on in hope;"

Likewise Peter, no stranger to persecution, wrote in 1 Peter 1:6 and 7 (BBE), "You have cause for great joy in this, though it may have been necessary for you to be troubled for a little time, being tested in all sorts of ways, So that the true metal of your faith, being of much greater value than gold (which, though it comes to an end, is tested by fire), may come to light in praise and glory and honour, at the revelation of Jesus Christ:"

Certainly the first-century Christians understood the honour of being afflicted for the sake of Christ and the gospel. After the disciples were whipped by the temple rulers and warned never to preach about Christ, we read what they did  in Acts 5:41 (BBE). "So they went away from the Sanhedrin, happy to undergo shame for the Name."

The Apostle Paul also recognized the joy which exists in suffering for the sake of our Lord and Master, Jesus. We read in 2 Thessalonians 1:4 and 5 (BBE), "So that we ourselves take pride in you in the churches of God for your untroubled mind and your faith in all the troubles and sorrows which you are going through; Which is a clear sign of the decision which God in his righteousness has made; to give you a part in his kingdom, for which you have undergone this pain;"

So we realize that suffering persecution is a joyous privilege. It tests our faith in Christ. It also gives us hope of recompense for our righteous suffering at the hands of wicked people. We will also be given a glorious reward when Christ returns for standing firm for him. Understood in light of these verses alone, we rejoice to be counted worthy to suffer the blows meant for Christ.

I'm working on a book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? People need to understand that only God's criteria matters regarding whom he lets into his holy habitation.

On Saturday, I hope to post about the value of recognizing one's faults. I also feature a great Canadian band's hit from 1971.

Saturday Song: Daniel Amos, "My Room"

What a shame it is that we North American Christians are so intimidated about sharing the gospel. In many countries, being a follower of Christ means persecution or death. The worst thing that happens here is losing one's job or friendships.

A Christian rock band named Daniel Amos recognized this cowardice in all of us, including myself, and wrote a song about it.

Listen to the song here.

This seems counterintuitive but we ought to rejoice when we're verbally or physically abused for our faithfulness. The followers of Christ felt it was an honour to suffer for his sake. Acts 5:41 KJV) records what happened to these faithful saints. "And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name."

We also read this in James 1:2 and 3 (BBE). "Let it be all joy to you, my brothers, when you undergo tests of every sort; Because you have the knowledge that the testing of your faith gives you the power of going on in hope;"

God isn't mean to let us suffer for Christ. Look at what Scripture says in James 1:4 (KJV). "But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing."

We also have the records of all the faithful to remind us of how they persevered in the face of horrific persecution. The author of Hebrews outlined how the faithful sought a heavenly city and the Messiah. Hebrews 12:1 (KJV) reminds us, "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,"

Furthermore, our present persecution will turn to great joy later. Look at what 1 Peter 4:13 (KJV) points out. "But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy."

How wonderful it is that whatever we suffer now will be infinitely compensated when Christ returns. Let's all cling to this wonderful hope.

On Monday, I'll post about what John meant by fathers, young men, and children. Some people might be confused by those verses in his letter to the faithful.