A Crucified Life - - Answers The Call to Suffer

 

   1 Peter 2:21 

For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His footsteps.

    What does it mean to suffer for Christ? The literal description in Strong's is "to be acted upon in a certain way, either good or bad"; to be ill-treated. That's all well and good but how do I (we) suffer for Christ individually and within the church as a whole? 

    For starters, when someone attacks us--whether verbally or physically--we don't fight back. We are not to speak against them. We don't seek revenge against anyone. We take it to Jesus and He takes care of the problem. As long as we remain in Him and He in us, we have no reason to cause those who fight against us any ill-will of our own. As Christ stood silent when accused, so, too should the believer remain silent. (Isaiah 53:7; Matthew 26:63).

    It is a privilege to suffer for Christ. Philippians 3:7-9 speaks of losing everything for the gain of knowing Jesus Christ. And in verse 10: I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to Him in His death. And in Philippians 1:21 "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."

    To suffer for Christ is to rise above the pettiness, the miry clay which clings to us trying to bring us down to the level we left behind when we chose to believe God and follow Christ. This is not a 'holier than thou' life: this is a humble remembering of who we were then and who we are now. 

    It is to have compassion, mercy, understanding and wisdom towards the people who are trying to undermine our witness. God says we are to pray for our enemies. I pray that the hearts of those who hate God be turned towards God and remain in Him to be His people. Our hearts are to be aligned with God's heart, which is to have as few left behind as possible. John 6:40 "For it is My Father’s will that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.” 

    To suffer for Christ is to be longsuffering. It is to not lose patience with anyone who is not where you and I are in our relationship with Christ. Imagine if He had done that when we were young Christians! Where would we be? 

    Fruit trees take a few years to mature before they begin to bear fruit. Sometimes the first fruit bearing season just needs to stay on the tree, as the fruit can be bitter and inedible. So, too, is the Christian's heart. We are nurtured by The Word and sustained in our faith when we get The Word into us, not just memorization but knowing that God is writing His Word on our hearts. (Ezekiel 36:26,27)

    To suffer for Christ is to see by our faithfulness that our prayers are being answered. Our children are turning back to God and bringing their families with them. Our sisters, our brother, are searching God's Word, devouring it with a hunger born from spiritual starvation. 

    Even as Christ was lifted up on the cross for all the world to see, many people came and saw Him there. But not all of them believed. Just a few. But these few, in just seven weeks, would be filled with The Holy Spirit of God, Who would cause them to speak in other languages that the gospel of peace through Jesus Christ would go forth. And go forth it did.

    As these Christians were persecuted and killed, many fled to foreign nations where they preached the gospel and people believed God and received The Holy Spirit, that second precious Gift from God; the first, being His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. And they counted it a privilege. 

    Here we are now almost 2000 years later and still we are facing the same evil that faced Jesus: hated because we believe God and God's Word to be TRUTH. 

    Let us put all of our armor on (Ephesians 6:10-20) every single day, that we may be able to suffer efficiently and effectively. Let us gather together in prayer, seeking God's will before the day begins and the night ends. We rejoice that we have been found worthy to suffer! 

CALLED TO SUFFER 

He Lives! 

You Will Suffer - John Piper (sermon clip)

Cry of The Broken - Hillsong Worship

Surrounded - UPPERROOM

Weathered - Dante Bowe/Hannah McClure

Lay It All Down - United Pursuit/Will Reagan 

    

A Crucified Life - - Knows Rejection

 

    Romans 10:16

But not all of them welcomed the good news. For Isaiah says, "LORD, who has believed our Message?"

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 189

Message: inner (spiritual) hearing that goes with receiving faith from God; spiritual hearing (discerning God's voice)

From the Greek word 'akoé' (pronounced ak-o-ay'): instruction - the preaching of the gospel.

1 Peter 2:21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His footsteps.

1 Peter 4:1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in His body, arm yourselves with the same resolve, because anyone who has suffered in his body is done with sin.

    Not everyone will be receptive to the teachings of the gospel. The newly saved Christian needs to understand this concept just as clearly as the longer saved Christian. As has been said before, "This is not a bed of roses we walk on. This is no easy path which we have chosen to walk." 

    Many will come against us as they came against Jesus. He even tells us so. Therefore, we should not be surprised when we are rejected for what we believe. We should actually be joyful. (Acts 5:41)

    When we preach the gospel, the first thing we do is pick up our cross. The cross is heavy and awkward to carry, but it is absolutely necessary if we want to follow Christ. As He was helped to carry His cross, so He will help us. 

Ephesians 6:13 Therefore take up the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground, and having done everything, to stand.

    When we bring the good news of God's saving grace to someone, we need to be prepared in our hearts, our minds and our bodies to be attacked for what we believe and are speaking. 

 1 Peter 3:14-16

    Don't be shocked, be prepared to answer every question. Arm ourselves with the Word of God by studying it, praying it and praying over it. Always be ready to give an answer. Don't worry about it trying to memorize it. What we learn is not always at the top of our thoughts, but the Spirit draws it up out of us, as a body draws water out of a well. 

    As Christ was rejected, so, too, will His followers, His Christians. We read this in the parable of the wicked tenants (Matthew 21:33-46). First he sent his trusted servants. But they were rejected and killed. Then he sent a larger group of servants, who were also rejected and killed. Then he sent his son; but his son, too, was rejected and killed. 

    This is God sending out His prophets, whom the people rejected and killed because they refused to obey the Word which the prophets of God had brought. Then God sent His Son. But the people to whom the Son was sent, also rejected the message and killed the Son. 

    But the Son could not be kept down. He rose! He is risen! He is the living Word of God being breathed into every believer. He is our Hope of Salvation! Our Joy and Rejoicing!  He is the Light in the darkness, the shining Way to forgiveness and the redeeming grace of God the Father. 

    You think you've suffered already? Have you been rejected to the point of death? and persevered? I know I haven't. I've been ignored. I've been severed from family attachments. Friends have dropped me. I've been kicked and beaten for the Name of Christ. I'm still here. 

     However, the day is coming, and is already on the horizon, when taking a stand for the gospel of Christ will cost us our lives. Mere physical strength will not be enough to withstand the onslaught of hate coming our way.

    We need to be prayed up, filled up and studied up.  

BELIEVE THE MESSAGE 

I Know Whom I Have Believed - Redeemer Church of The Shoals

God Be Merciful to Me - Jars of Clay

In Christ Alone - Adrienne Liesching

Greater Is The Blood - Mark & Sarah Tillman

Can't Keep A Good Man Down - Newsong

Lose My Soul - TobyMac

Rise Again - Dallas Holm

Grace Wins - Matthew West

Glorious Day - Casting Crowns 

    

    

I Am The Body of Christ (poem)

I AM THE BODY OF CHRIST

I am the body of Christ.

And I hurt. I know pain.

Excruciating pain from the whips on my back.

Heartache pain from the brokenness within and without.

Two extremes with no inbetween.

I am the body of Christ. 

And I smile. I know joy.

Unspeakable joy where words are not enough.

Cheer-filled countenance that shines from within.

Two extremes with no inbetween. 

I am the body of Christ.

What He suffered we will suffer.

He Who knew pain also knew joy.

He Who knew Joy also knew suffering. 

He Who knew suffering also knew heartache.

He Who knew heartache also knew compassion.

I am the body of Christ.

His hands. His feet.

His back. 

His eyes. His ears.

His heart. 

He is my Strength, my Hope.

He is my Faithful Witness.

He is my Joy, my sorrow. 

He is my Peace.

He is my Grace, my Provision.

He is my Everything. 

Because He's everything to me.

 

Heart & Soul - - Faint Not, Fear Not

 

Jeremiah 51:46

Do not let your heart grow faint, and do not be afraid when the rumor is heard in the land; for a rumor will come one year—and then another the next year—of violence in the land and of ruler against ruler.

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 7401

Faint: tender, weak of heart

From the Hebrew word 'rakak' (pronounced raw-kak').

In this verse, weak of heart is defined as 'timid, fearful'. It is an important enough warning to warrant a double encouragement from The Lord. First, we are not to let our hearts grow faint. Second, we are not to be afraid of rumors of violence in our land. 

UNFAINTING HEART

    How do we prevent our hearts from becoming timid? We encourage ourselves and each other in The Word of God. 

>Allow God and Christ to encourage us: 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

>Delight ourselves in The Lord: Psalm 37:4

>Jude 1:20-21

>Encourage one another: 1 Thessalonians 5:11

>Comfort one another: 1 Thessalonians 4:18

>Exhort one another daily: Hebrews 3:13

>Gather together: Hebrews 10:25

>Edify one another: Romans 14:19

>Serve/be agreeable with our neighbor for their edification: Romans 15:2

UNFEARFUL HEART

    There are several verses in Scripture telling God's people to not be fearful, not be afraid; to fear not. From Genesis to Revelation we find much encouragement from The LORD.

> Genesis 15:1 "After these things the Word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward." 

>Revelation 2:10 "Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you might be tested; and you shall have tribulation ten days. Be faithful unto death, and I will give to you the crown of life."

    Even now, in these latter days, in these last hours, The Word of The Lord encourages His people. We do, indeed, have much violence spread across the globe. There are, as stated in Matthew 24:6 "wars and rumors of wars".  The earth itself is in upheaval "the earth groans" Romans 8:22. Yet, we are to gain strength in The Lord and not be afraid of all that is happening around us and to us. 

    For Christ has called us to suffer with Him that we might be found worthy of Him: Matthew 10:38 "And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me." That cross our Lord and Savior was nailed to was not comfortable, nor was it pretty. It was hard, heavy and painful to be on. Think you our crosses are any less? 

    The other thing about this cross we are to take up is that we don't get to choose our cross. Taking up our cross means we need to be prepared in all ways to follow Jesus Christ where He leads us. We need to be ready to suffer, ready to serve.

     Christ prepared Himself when He prayed with His Father. He spent many, many hours in prayer. His prayer times were a source of refreshing and a place of gaining strength from His Father. Our times of refreshing are also in prayer. Alone with God we acquire His peace, His strength, His wisdom. In Christ we have access to everything He is. 

    We must remember, take to heart, the encouragement of our God:

"Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’" Isaiah 41:10.

WINDS OF WORSHIP 3

Heart & Soul - - Alive With Christ

 

Ephesians 2:4, 5

But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our trespasses. It is by grace you have been saved!

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 4806

Alive: to make alive together with

From the Greek word 'suzóopoieó' (pronounced ood-zo-op-oy-eh'-o): I make alive together with; new moral life is referred to; reanimate conjointly with, quicken together with.

THE PENITENT'S CRY 

Psalm 51:1-2

Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your loving devotion; according to Your great compassion, blot out my transgressions.  Wash me clean of my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.

Psalm 32:5

Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not hide my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD," and You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah

1 John 1:9

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

ALIVE IN CHRIST

Colossians 2:12-14

And having been buried with Him in baptism, you were raised with Him through your faith in the power of God, who raised Him from the dead. When you were dead in your trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our trespasses, having canceled the debt ascribed to us in the decrees that stood against us. He took it away, nailing it to the cross!

John 11:25

Jesus said unto her, "I am The Resurrection and The Life, he that believes in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live."

FORGIVEN

    Our souls are eternal. When these bodies the Lord God has placed our souls in fail and die, the soul leaves for its destination. If the soul has believed that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior, then that soul leaves for the eternal presence of God in heaven. If the soul who has chosen to not believe dies in its unbelieving state, then that soul leaves for the eternal damnation (eternal separation from God) in hell. 

     Nothing that we can do, in and of ourselves, can save us from the eternal punishment due us for the sins we have committed against God by disobeying and disbelieving His Holy Word. Having been born with a sinful nature, we are all unclean.

    Isaiah 64:6 "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away." We need the righteousness of a Savior, of The Christ, to cover us.

    Isaiah 53:6

All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

    We need to seek out the Lord, repent of our unrighteous ways and be forgiven by a Merciful God.

    Isaiah 55:7

Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. 

    Paul referred to himself as a wretch (Romans 7:24). David revealed himself to be a sinner (2 Samuel 12:13). How do we refer to ourselves when confessing to God that we are sinners? We must approach God with humble hearts, not proud or prideful (pride-filled) hearts. God hears the sinner's prayer when the sinner is truly repentant. 

    To be Alive in Christ is to be forgiven and live a forgiven lifestyle. Now that we have been washed in the blood of the God's Lamb, and the sins we repented of are washed away, we learn how to live holy and righteous lives: lives that don't include deliberately sinning. 

    We are not forgiven so we can keep on sinning. This is a false teaching. The born again believer chooses not to sin, knowing that sin is what kept us separated from God. Now that we have recognized God for Who He Is, and that His Word Is Faithful and True, we do not want to do the things we used to do before we became to Christ.

BLESSED

    1 John 3:9

Anyone born of God refuses to practice sin, because God’s seed abides in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God.

    To be Alive With Christ is to live in Christ as He lives in us. We are the born again: the poor in spirit, the meek, the ones who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, the persecuted for His Name's sake, the reviled (Matthew 5:3-11). For as He was treated in this world, His people are also treated. 

SUFFERERS FOR CHRIST

    Matthew 16:24

Then Jesus told His disciples, "If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me."

    1 Peter 4:1

Therefore, since Christ suffered in His body, arm yourselves with the same resolve, because anyone who has suffered in his body is done with sin.

    1 Peter 2:21-23

For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth." When they heaped abuse on Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats, but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly. 

ALIVE WITH CHRIST

    Remember, this Christian life is not an easy life, but it is a worthwhile life. Our goal is to live with God forever. Salvation is the first step to getting there. This holiness lifestyle is all the other steps. For our journeys are of indefinite length, as our days are numbered by God (Psalm 39:4; 90:12). Whether we live a long life or a short life, it is not length of life that is rewarded: it is how we lived the life we were given.

    We did not get saved just so we could "live the good life" here and now. Salvation is a gift from God (John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8). Sanctification is the work of The Holy Spirit .

    Now we are Alive With Christ. What a miracle that we have become part of the body of Christ. Look to the cross! See the body of Christ. It is not beautiful. If we are honest with ourselves, no one wants to look on Him, for He is hard to behold. Isaiah 53. 

    Romans 6:22  

Therefore, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God. 

    Without the sin-bearing Savior on the cross, there could be no resurrection of the dead to a new life in Christ! Look, now, and see Him there: dying for you, for me. Once and for all Jesus took the sins of the whole world upon Himself. Hebrews 9:12 "Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption for us."

    I am Alive in Christ, I am Alive with Christ. If it were not for my recognition of Christ Jesus as my Savior and the Lord of my life, I would not be alive at all, but I would be dead in my trespasses, in my sins. I have a Savior and His Name is Jesus Christ. Come near to the heart of God. Come, be alive with us. 

REPENTANT, FORGIVEN, CHANGED  

Dead Man (Carry Me) - Jars of Clay

Ocean Floor - Audio Adrenaline

God Be Merciful to Me - Jars of Clay

Lay It All Down - Will Reagan

Come As You Are - Crowder

I'm Not Alright - Sanctus Real

The Hard Way - DC Talk

Nothing But The Blood - Jars of Clay

Forgiven - Crowder 

Redeemed - Big Daddy Weave

Less Like Me - Zach Williams 

Walking Free - Micah Tyler

Simple - Various Artists

Simple Truth - Ryan Ellis

Arming The Spiritual Warrior -- Dedication

 Galatians 6:9

Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

The Dedicated Spiritual Warrior does not give up but crosses the finish line to gain their laurel.

Well-doing is the business of being a Christian, being Christ-like with all people. It is living a Christ-centered lifestyle. Well-doing is sharing the gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ, whether having a conversation {for example, Acts 8:29-38}, as a teacher, up in the pulpit preaching, evangelizing (going from place to place sharing Christ) or on the internet, like this blog, for instance. 

1 Corinthians 1:18, 23

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 

But we preach Christ crucified, [a message which is] to Jews a stumbling block [that provokes their opposition], and to Gentiles foolishness [just utter nonsense].

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 1573 & 3286

Faint: to be negatively influenced with the outcome of experiencing inner weariness (ref. Isaiah 40:31); to become extremely exhausted, to become extremely weary (ref. Galatians 6:9)

Isaiah 40:31

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

2 Corinthians 4:1

Therefore, since God in His mercy has given us this ministry, we do not lose heart.

Hebrews 12:3

Consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Well-doing requires a continual stream of divine power into our lives through our prayer life in Christ. It's the only way we will not grow weary, not be faint, not lose heart and not give up. A Dedicated Spiritual Warrior does not quit just because the work is too hard.

Isaiah 40:29

He gives power to the faint and increases the strength of the weak.

2 Corinthians 4:16, 17

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory that is far beyond comparison.

Romans 7:22

For in my inner being I delight in God's law.

Ephesians 3:16

That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man. 

The Dedicated Spiritual Warrior Is A Happy Harvester

Psalm 126:5

Those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy.

Proverbs 11:8

The wicked man earns an empty wage, but he who sows righteousness reaps a true reward.

The Dedicated Spiritual Warrior Is Called To Suffer

Mark 8:34, 35

Then Jesus called the crowd to Him along with His disciples, and He told them, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.  For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and for the gospel will save it." 

Matthew 10:22

You will be hated by everyone because of My name, but the one who perseveres to the end will be saved.

1 Peter 2:20-23

(20) How is it to your credit if you are beaten for doing wrong and you endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.

(21) For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His footsteps:

(22) “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth.”

(23) When they heaped abuse on Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats, but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.

1 Peter 3:17

For it is better, if the will of God be so, that you suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.

The Dedicated Spiritual Warrior Enjoys The Harvest

2 Timothy 4:7, 8

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: From now on the crown of righteousness is laid up for me, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me in that day; but not only to me, but also to all those loving His appearing.

2 Timothy 1:12

For this reason, even though I suffer as I do, I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day. 

The King Is Coming. Are you ready to meet Him. Have you been a Dedicated Spiritual Warrior? There's still time to get ready. 

Dear Lord, 

Thank You for calling me to be Your Spiritual Warrior. Thank You for calling me to suffer for Your name's sake. Thank You, Lord, for being my God, my song, my joy, my life, my King. Thank You, for being my Strength when I feel weak in spirit, for filling my heart with peace, and my thoughts with Your Wisdom. 

May my hands ever be busy doing Your work. May my feet go where You send me. For in what I do and wherein I go, I know that You are with me, for in Your Word You have promised to never leave me, never forsake me, as long as go with You. 

Open my eyes that I may see You more clearly. As I draw nearer to You, You pull me close in Your embrace. I am loved by You. Reveal Yourself in dreams and visions, as Your Word states in The Book of Joel, to those who know You not that they may recognize their need for a Savior and claim You as their Lord and King. 

Fill us now, Lord, with Your power and Your might that Your purpose would be accomplished in us and through us.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen.