Scriptural readings: Acts 9:16, Phil 1:20-21, Luke 18:25,28-30
Acts 9:16
For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.
This is how Paul was fitted in his life after he met the lord Jesus Christ and from then on he became a christian. A chosen vessel for our lord to bear His name for everyone of us. Isn’t terrifying to know that we are facing a lot of suffering. WE ARE NO DIFFERENT from Paul. He followed Jesus Christ and so do we and we will SUFFER FOR HIM too!
Phil 1:20-21
v.20 According to my earnest expectation and [my] hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but [that] with all boldness, as always, [so] now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether [it be] by life, or by death.
v.21 21 For to me to live [is] Christ, and to die [is] gain.
What is this thing that after following Him and then to suffer and at the end to die is to gain? What is good about this? Nobody wants to suffer! Why is the apostle Paul thrilled about leaving our world?
Luke 18:25
Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
We live in a temporal world relating to worldly as opposed to spiritual affairs. There is nothing wrong with gaining much of these things that we deserve to have. As a matter of fact, Jesus said He will double the talents you are having but Jesus NEVER WANTS us TO TRUST in these temporal things.
These things can be taken from us at any time AND ONLY GOOD IN THIS WORLD!. The suffering that we are having is the FEAR OF LOSING THESE TEMPORAL THINGS WE HAVE.
Luke 18:28-30
v.28 Peter said to him, “We have left all we had to follow you!”
v.29-30 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus said to them, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God v. 30 will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.”
Now there is the reason why we should be more than thrilled to follow Jesus, suffer for Him and to die for Him is to gain.
Does it fit you?
Heavenly Father give us all the reason to know Jesus more. Grant us the strength through the power of your Holy Spirit to follow Him and endure the pain of suffering as we hold on to your promises of blessings come eternal life. In Jesus name we pray. Amen!