On June 13, Pastor Bai Yu'e shared online the eleventh chapter in a series on the church's revival. The theme was on how believers can face suffering correctly.
Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered. (Hebrews 5:8)
The result of suffering allows us to learn to obey, fully receive, to know and experience Christ. It gives us confidence, and more importantly, is an actual life experience. The suffering that Jesus experienced brought us great salvation, healing grace and meaning in life. Christians certainly will suffer and die, but we should imitate our Lord. He was a grain of wheat, fell to the ground and died, so that more grain could be produced.
“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” (1 Peter 2:24)
Suffering is a journey that must be experienced in our lives, so we should not be afraid of it, but rely on the Lord to overcome, since suffering helps us to grow in our spiritual lives.
Just like Paul and Silas in prison, they sang and prayed and praised, then all the prison doors were opened, and the chains on their bodies were replaced. Suffering brings us opportunities, revelation, and opportunities for breakthroughs and victory.
A lot of suffering is intertwined in a person's life. But His purpose is to make us mature, learn humility and obedience, and let us experience Christ.
Woe to you who are complacent in Zion, and to you who feel secure on Mount Samaria, you notable men of the foremost nation, to whom the people of Israel come! (Amos 6:1)
Ease can lead to our hearts not following God, so don’t fall into the depravity of ease. This can harm the growth of all Christians. Woe to those who feel secure! Whether it is comfort or suffering, we are not asking for pain or seeking enjoyment, as long as something is from God, all is good. But actually the problem is not suffering or ease of life. What is important is to be able to rely on God in any situation.
- Translated by Elaina Wu
