When We Suffer For Christ

When We Suffer For Christ

SUFFERING FOR CHRIST

Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. James 1:12

The Christian life is not always rosy. Sometimes it hurts to serve Christ and do His will. Serving the Lord may cause you to give up on many things you love and cherish. You may lose some good friends or even family members who find your new life too strange and weird. Perhaps you have endured a lot of mockery, scorn and name-calling for daring to stand by the authority of scripture. If that is your situation, God promises you a special reward that is reserved for those who suffer for His sake.

There are many who have suffered so much for their faith. Throughout church history there are records of many who were tortured and killed – men, women and children who were put to death for professing Christ. Others have had their names and reputations smeared. If they had denied the Lord, they could have walked away free but they loved the Lord so much that they could not deny Him before men. They choose to die in faith than to lie in falsehood.

If you have suffered the loss of something like a friendship, if you have been ridiculed and persecuted, know that God will reward you in this life and in the next. Whatever you gave up, He will make it up to you.

When we suffer for the Lord, He promises to share His glory with us. As we hold high the banner of Christ, He also upholds our name before the Father.

Prayer: Lord, strengthen me to hardships as a good soldier.

Scriptural Reading: James 1:12-18

When We Suffer For Christ