“For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,” Philippians 1:29 ESV
“that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.” Philippians 3:10-11 ESV
I know this is not a popular topic among Christ Followers, including me, but when it is written in the Holy Word Of God, I do believe we need to pay attention, and prepare ourselves.
Philippians 1:29 is very straightforward, it states that it had been “granted to us” as Christ Followers, that for the sake of Christ we should not only believe in Him but also suffer for His sake.
Just for clarification, the Miriam Webster dictionary defines granted as:
“2 : something granted; especially : a gift (as of land or money) for a particular purpose”.
Then Philippians 3:10-11 says “that I may know Him and the Power of His resurrection, and may share in His sufferings….”
Looking at this in a positive vein, if we are made to suffer for the sake of Christ, that is a gift to us that others see Christ in us, and by hurting us, it’s figured they are hurting our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, KING of kings, LORD of lords, ALPHA and OMEGA, LAMB OF GOD, EVERLASTING, PRINCE OF PEACE,THE LIVING WORD.
Reading and Studying the Written Word of God will draw us closer to the Living Word Of God, whom we receive our strength from. Then when we suffer, we have the Strength of Christ, in the Power of His Spirit within us. HALLELUJAH!!!!
thotsfromgeorge 