2 Corinthians 1:7 And our hope of you is steadfast, knowing that as ye are partakers of the suffering, so shall ye be also of the consolation.
Ah Friends, trust Bruh Paul to find a way to bolster our spirits before sharing the mixed news. After he suffered a near death experience in Ephesus, as we discussed last week, it brought him to such an emotional low, that he cancelled his visit to Corinth, not wanting to burden them with his sadness. ‘And our hope of you is steadfast.’ It’s firmly grounded in truth. He believes it with all his heart, and goes on to reassure them of the firm balance of a believer’s life. ‘Knowing that as ye are partakers of the suffering, so shall ye be also of the consolation.’ Yes Friends, that’s an undisputable fact. If we share in the suffering, we’ll also share in the comfort. ‘For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.’ (vs.5) Another undeniable fact people: As the problems increase, so does the consolation. When we suffer much for Christ, we’ll be consoled much through Christ. And the reason for the suffering? ‘Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin.’ (1 Pet.4:1) Christ suffered for us, and we’re expected to do the same for Him. We don’t go seeking it, but if and when it comes, we’re expected to bear it, to stand up strong and fight, like sturdy, obedient soldiers. I keep reminding us that the Christian walk is not easy, since we’re surrounded by a legion of enemies. ‘For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake.’ (Phil.1:29) And that Friends is what separates the men from the boys, the sheep from the goats, the true followers of Christ, from just the talkers. It’s very easy to talk Christ, especially in our fairly free environment in the West. But when it comes to walking the talk, many of us give up at the first sign of trouble. An excellent example is Iran, a Muslim country, where believers are apparently being singled out for cruel, unfair persecution, but they’re still solidly holding on to their faith. Not too many of us out here would be willing to undergo that, judging from the way we too often turn tail and run when others put down or ridicule our faith. Friends, that attitude certainly doesn’t jive with being a follower of Christ. Remember the hymn, the believer’s battle cry states: ‘Onward Christian soldiers, Marching as to war, With the Cross of Jesus, Going on before!’ The Christian life is not a charade Friends. It’s serious business. It’s not for the faint of heart, but the faint of heart can become strong, be energized by it, believing that Jesus died for us and washed our sins clean, and He’s always around to protect and guide us through His Holy Spirit. Now that doesn’t mean we’re not going to suffer hardship, rather you’re guaranteed to have problems just by being a believer. But people, the promises of Jesus embolden and make us confident. ‘Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven’ (Mat.5:10) ‘And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.’ (Mat.10:22) Oh Friends, let’s march to war with the cross as our banner nuh! Let’s go out and endure! For the promise of the kingdom of heaven, is greater than any other. Much LOVE!…Christ’s work entails suffering…but the rewards are phenomenal…
Ah Friends, trust Bruh Paul to find a way to bolster our spirits before sharing the mixed news. After he suffered a near death experience in Ephesus, as we discussed last week, it brought him to such an emotional low, that he cancelled his visit to Corinth, not wanting to burden them with his sadness. ‘And our hope of you is steadfast.’ It’s firmly grounded in truth. He believes it with all his heart, and goes on to reassure them of the firm balance of a believer’s life. ‘Knowing that as ye are partakers of the suffering, so shall ye be also of the consolation.’ Yes Friends, that’s an undisputable fact. If we share in the suffering, we’ll also share in the comfort. ‘For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.’ (vs.5) Another undeniable fact people: As the problems increase, so does the consolation. When we suffer much for Christ, we’ll be consoled much through Christ. And the reason for the suffering? ‘Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin.’ (1 Pet.4:1) Christ suffered for us, and we’re expected to do the same for Him. We don’t go seeking it, but if and when it comes, we’re expected to bear it, to stand up strong and fight, like sturdy, obedient soldiers. I keep reminding us that the Christian walk is not easy, since we’re surrounded by a legion of enemies. ‘For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake.’ (Phil.1:29) And that Friends is what separates the men from the boys, the sheep from the goats, the true followers of Christ, from just the talkers. It’s very easy to talk Christ, especially in our fairly free environment in the West. But when it comes to walking the talk, many of us give up at the first sign of trouble. An excellent example is Iran, a Muslim country, where believers are apparently being singled out for cruel, unfair persecution, but they’re still solidly holding on to their faith. Not too many of us out here would be willing to undergo that, judging from the way we too often turn tail and run when others put down or ridicule our faith. Friends, that attitude certainly doesn’t jive with being a follower of Christ. Remember the hymn, the believer’s battle cry states: ‘Onward Christian soldiers, Marching as to war, With the Cross of Jesus, Going on before!’ The Christian life is not a charade Friends. It’s serious business. It’s not for the faint of heart, but the faint of heart can become strong, be energized by it, believing that Jesus died for us and washed our sins clean, and He’s always around to protect and guide us through His Holy Spirit. Now that doesn’t mean we’re not going to suffer hardship, rather you’re guaranteed to have problems just by being a believer. But people, the promises of Jesus embolden and make us confident. ‘Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven’ (Mat.5:10) ‘And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.’ (Mat.10:22) Oh Friends, let’s march to war with the cross as our banner nuh! Let’s go out and endure! For the promise of the kingdom of heaven, is greater than any other. Much LOVE!…Christ’s work entails suffering…but the rewards are phenomenal…
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