Romans 5:2b-5 Hope and Sufferings and Hope….and Love

Read Romans 5:2b-5.

Since our faith is in Jesus Christ and that gives us hope - the hope of eternity with Him, the hope of His Spirit guiding us each and every day, the hope that He is in control, the hope that the Enemy does not win in the end and receives his punishment - then we can rejoice. We know our future and it is fantastic!

But for now, we suffer. Now there are varying levels of suffering and if you are looking here for an answer to that one, I do not have it. Jim and I always say we are blessed beyond what we deserve because we have not had to suffer much at all. Our difficulties have been light compared to what so many others have endured. Would I want to trade places with others less fortunate to diminish a sense of guilt over an "easier" life? Not really. Do I wish there was less suffering in the world? Absolutely! Some have brought the suffering on themselves by the choices they have made, but many have just had to endure living in a fallen world where suffering exists. And it will continue to exist and in fact get worse befor it gets better.

One of the hopes through suffering is as I stated above, it will not endure forever because we know one day the Enemy will be stopped. But that also may not happen in our lifetime. So we must persevere, but we do not do it alone.

Another hope in suffering is that God promises that He is molding and shaping us into the people He needs us to be to serve Him best. Isaiah 64:2 says:

"Yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand."

There is so much hope in that there is truly a purpose to our life, even in our suffering. We are being made into a better version of ourself if we allow perseverance to grow within us….if we let that perseverance develop our character, and the person we are is then our hope to endure to the end faithful and committed to following our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Therefore, we can rejoice in our sufferings. Not because of them, but in them. For we know that we are not alone in this journey of suffering or health for God has "poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." (vs 5)

The shaping and molding of our humble clay bodies through suffering is not enjoyable. Sometimes it comes with a pain we simply do not believe we can endure. But through the power of the presence of the Holy Spirit, we can. His love endures forever, and by His power, we can, too.

Father, suffering is a part of our life because we chose to rebel against You. Thank You, that even in the suffering there is joy and hope because You have a much bigger plan for us. Help us to persevere, grow in character and hope, and remain in the power of Your love. So be it.

Further Thoughts:

1. Read Job and his encounter with suffering.
2. How does positivity affect our outlook on our suffering? How do we remain positive in suffering?
3. How can you give hope to those who are suffering more than you?

Colossians 4:18 "In Chains"

Colossians 4:18.

"I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you." NIV

Many of us feel as if we are bound up in chains. The stresses and pressures of life imprison us in a cell of duty, routine, deadlines, demands, failures, disappointments, and even by some of the things that actually bring us joy like friends and family. We can feel like we are a foot shorter carrying the weight of the world on our backs. And then we read this simple line, "Remember my chains."

Believers all around the world are in chains for Christ -- physical, emotional, or spiritual. They have done nothing wrong except to proclaim Jesus as Lord. Their lives are a jumble of uncertainty as they strive to serve the Lord and hide from the authorities. Some have been restrained in the physical battle by actually chains. Their lives are reduced to a small dark cell. They are left to simply pray and remember the Scripture they have learned. Each breath they take will be the one to leads them into another day of torture or to eternity. They are the persecuted ones.

The daily grind of living holds no comparison to the chains of persecution. My life is a breeze compared to theirs, yet I'm also challenged by them. Do I do enough for the Father? Why am I blessed to live in a country where I can worship freely? Why am I able to bow my head to pray in a restaurant without fear of being arrested? And do I live out the privileges of such a free faith to its fullest?

Lord, forgive me for complaining about the times I think my life is too complicated or frustrating. Help me to remember those who are truly suffering for Your Kingdom.

Further Thoughts:

1. What does Scripture say about suffering for Christ?
2. Do you feel like you are bogged down with life? Many people are suffering real pain -- emotional, physical, spiritual. But most of us others are just whiners. Click here and read about believers really suffering.
3. Pray today for those who are in chains for Christ.

1 Peter 4:12-19 "Shining Sufferers"

Read 1 Peter 4:12-19.

"If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you." NIV

I don't receive insults for being a Christian because I am doing it wrong. I don't receive insults because Christianity is not the way. I don't receive insults because I'm too much of a judgmental, right-wing, conservative fundamentalist. I receive insults because I have the Spirit of glory and of God resting on me. Isn't that an awesome thought? The enemy recognizes God's Spirit on me and he's ticked off. He will do whatever he must do to try to make me discouraged and doubtful of the One I serve and the purpose for serving Him. But he's really messed up because I know I serve the Most High. I know that God is in control. I know Jesus Christ is my Savior. I read the end of the book -- I'm on the winning side.

So let him send his minions to do their best. I am shining with the glory of the Almighty!

Further Thoughts:

1. Do you suffer persecution? Thank God that others see Him in you and that you can suffer as our Lord did.
   
2. If you ever think you suffer too much for your faith, check out this site. These people know suffering....and they have seen the glory of God. 
   

1 Peter 4:1-6 "Suffering For Sin"

Read 1 Peter 4:1-6.

"Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin." NIV

Have you ever read a passage and it grabs you? You're not even sure completely what it's meaning, but you are drawn. That happens often to me as I study, and this is one of those verses -- especially the last half. I've know many people who have suffered greatly because of their sin and were glad to leave it behind. But I've known even more who even though they've suffered, don't know how to get out of the sin, have their identity in it and don't want to leave, or in some strange way enjoy the suffering.

Masking the suffering of sin is a huge job for the enemy. He wants everyone to think sinning is much more fun than not sinning. He wants to discredit a straight path as being right- wing fundamentalism - said almost as a dirty word. He wants to make life without sin look boring and useless. But he is the great Deceiver, and we as believers must expose his lie. Oh, those sins may bring a temporary pleasure, but their consequences, both here on earth and in the judgement to come, far outweigh the momentary satisfaction.

How do we expose the Deceiver? By living our lives above reproach, by loving those who are stuck in the deception, by showing them the joy and freedom we have outside of a life of sin, by guiding them out of the lie. It's sort of like being in a dark tunnel, and you are the one in the front of the line with the only flashlight. You could just face the light forward so your path is clear. But it would be so much better if you'd stop and face the light behind you so others could see how to get where you are. You may not feel like you are capable of leading anyone else because you have not gone much farther than they have from their sin, but every little bit away helps. Just seeing a glimpse of a life free from the bondage of sin may be enough to encourage someone to take steps.

Further Thoughts:

1. What are some ways you have suffered because of sin?
2. Look up different examples of Jesus shining the flashlight for people to move away from their sin? How did He illuminate the pain of the sin? In what form did He present the hope?
   
3. Is there someone around you that you need to love out of sin and light the right path? What are some ways you can show them love? How are they going to see the right path?
4. Who do you need to thank for lighting the path for you?
5. How is the Old Testament a light for us?