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It was not only Jesus Who explained that the Christian life would entail much suffering but also Peter, James, and the apostle Paul. Suffering for Christ's sake and enduring many trials and tribulations on His account is part of The Worthy Walk Of The Normal Christian Life. We have not only been given the wonderful advantages of trusting in Christ for salvation, but also the holy privilege of suffering for Him. The normal human reaction to the influx of persecutions and pain is an immediate desire to escape the advancing difficulties and dangers. In reality, we should embrace them with a thankful heart, confidently expecting our Heavenly Father to use them for our spiritual benefit and for His eternal glory. James considers the various trials that come our way to be 'all joy' and calls us to 'rejoice in our sufferings' knowing that through them our faith will be tested. This will produce in us patient endurance and a chance to grow so that we may become mature in the faith, and be made perfect and complete in all things. Paul considers that the sufferings, sadness, trials, and tribulations of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed in us. It has been granted to us on behalf of our Savior, Jesus Christ, not only to believe in Him for salvation but also to suffer for Him as we journey through life in a Christ-rejecting sinful world that is lost in their trespasses and sins and is at enmity with our Heavenly Father. Philippians 1:29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him,  Our United Prayer:
Heavenly Father, how we praise and thank You that we have been called out of darkness into Your glorious light, by faith in Christ's finished work at Calvary which alone paid for our sins. We also thank You that as part of Christ's Body, we are given the privilege of suffering for His sake. As we travel through a world that is hostile to Your grace and shows contempt for the precious sacrifice of Your dearly beloved Son and our Savior, we pray You would draw us ever closer to Christ. May we rejoice in the trials we are called upon to face in this life, knowing that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which will be one day be revealed in us. Praise His holy name, AMEN.
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For many decades, the west has been spared much of the persecution that has been the norm throughout almost 2000 years of Church history. The 'normal Christian life' of recent years, is far more accurately labelled the 'abnormal' Christian life. Down through centuries of time, Bible-believing Christians have been hunted down, brutally persecuted, frequently killed, as Charlie Kirk was, and treated abominably, for righteousness sake. We Have A Firm Hope In Christ and the expectation of His return to take us to be with Himself, and so in this verse, we find Peter offering comfort, encouragement, courage, and instruction, to all who endure suffering for the sake of Christ. The inevitable consequences of the responsibility we bear, as sons and daughters of God, is animosity from those that are dead in their sins. Just as they hated Christ without a cause, so the unsaved will hate us too. without a cause. However, it is by doing right that we may silence the ignorance of foolish men and women, and suffering according to the will of God, will bring honor to His name. Let us recognize that the normal Christian life in this fallen world, will inevitably result in persecution and pain. Jesus Himself warned that in this world we will have trials and tribulation, but we are not to be fearful, for He has overcome the world and we are victorious in Him. Let us, therefore, entrust our souls to our faithful Creator, by doing what is right. This will bring glory to His name and may contribute to a lost sinner being snatched from the jaws of hell. 1 Peter 4:19 So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.  Our United Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You that by faith, we have been identified with the Lord Jesus Christ, and have become Your children. Father, we entrust our lives into Your hands, knowing that for Christ's sake, we will be hated. Thank You that You sent Christ into the world to go to the Cross, and to suffer on our account. Give us the grace to endure suffering for His name's sake, and may our lives be witnesses to Your goodness and grace, in a world that is lying in the grasp of evil. Into Your hands we commit our souls, and thank You, Father, that our citizenship is in heaven. But while we are on earth, may we walk in spirit and truth, and live lives that are pleasing to You. In Jesus' name we Pray, AMEN. There were things that were good in the church at Thyatira and there were men who were faithful to the Lord... but there was much that was unbiblical and many of their members entered into immorality and idolatry having a form of godliness and yet denying the Lord Who bought them. When a body of believers or denomination chooses to compromise the truth of the glorious gospel of grace, we identify a church that corrupts its members and cannot maintain the truth. So, despite some good works, love, service, and faith, the gross participation in pagan practices that persisted in this church at Thyatira continues to this present day. They were warned that they would be thrown into a bed of great tribulation if they did not repent of their sins. They were warned that they should harken to this admonition. Thyatira (which means continuous sacrifice), had apparently abandoned the truth that Christ was offered, once and for all, upon the Cross. Even to this day, certain denominations deny that the full and final payment for sin was made on Calvary's Cross. The Thyatira church had adopted a false religious system, with secret doctrines, legalist rites, priestly absolution, and suffocating indulgencies, which placed its members in bondage to this corrupt and ungodly system of religion. Sadly, this practice continues to this day. Praise God that in every area of Christendom, there are those that Hold Fast To Biblical Truth and reject the extra-biblical mysteries and philosophies, that too often captivate the minds of those that are not strong in the faith. Revelation 2:26 To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations  Our United Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us the true gospel in Your Word. We pray for those who are enslaved to the false doctrines of Thyatira with their secret teachings, legalist rites, priestly absolution, suffocating indulgencies, and other unbiblical practices. Expose those that teach falsely and open the eyes of those that have been subjected to their suffocating effects. We pray that as we wait for Christ's return, we will hold fast to the faith, until His appearing. In His name we Pray, AMEN. We have been eternally saved by grace through faith in the Person and Work of the Lord Jesus Christ. We are also kept by grace, through the power of the Most High God and are eternally secure. There is no condemnation for those that are in Christ Jesus. The world hated the Lord Jesus without a cause, and that same hatred of Christ for His followers continues to this day. Paul reminds us that All Who Live Godly Will Suffer Persecution, while Jesus Himself told us that in this world we would be hated, mistreated, and killed by sinful people. But the apostle Peter gives us encouragement in this verse, by reminding us: "If anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name." Peter points out that there is nothing shameful in trusting in Jesus, the only begotten Son of God. There is no disgrace in being a Christian, even though we may be despised by others for our faith, shunned by the world, deserted by carnally minded friends, shunned by family, abused by ungodly laws, or mocked by co-workers. Never forget that when we suffer as a Christian, it is for Christ's sake that we suffer. May we never be ashamed of our great God and Savior but rejoice that our suffering glorifies His holy name. 1 Peter 4:16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.  Our United Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the Lord Jesus Christ and all that He has done for us. Thank You that in Him, we have eternal life and are secure in Your hands, no matter what we may have to suffer in this life. Thank You that by His blood, we have been fully and finally redeemed and forgiven of our sins. We pray that those who abuse us and cause us to suffer because of our faith in Jesus, may be convicted of their sins and come to a saving faith in Christ. Thank You that Your grace is sufficient for everything we may have to face. May our lives bring honor to You. In Jesus' name we Pray, AMEN. There are certain threats that are common to all Christian churches that are identified at Philippi. One is the infiltration of false teachers whose outward appearance is that of a gentle lamb but inwardly are ravening wolves seeking to shed blood, destroy souls, and accumulate dishonest gain. We are instructed to identify such teachers by their bitter fruit. Another problem is internal division which endangers the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace and love between believers. Paul's antidote to most of the difficulties in Christian communion is to be like-minded, having the same love, and being one in spirit. It means doing nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but rather, in humility of heart, valuing each other above ourselves. Humility of spirit, gentleness of disposition, love for each other, and joy in the Lord, are all fruits of the Spirit which burst forth in A Life That Is Centered In Christ as Charlie Kirk demonstrated in his life. Let us love one another, for love is of God. He who loves as Christ loved us, is born of God and knows Him. Paul's earnest cry at the end of His life was: "That I may know Christ." Let this be our earnest desire today and for the rest of our lives. As we know Christ more intimately, may we love others more deeply and, with humility of heart, value others above ourselves. Philippians 2:3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,  Our United Prayer:
Heavenly Father, it is our desire to do nothing out of selfish motives or ungodly incentives. Instead, with humble hearts, we pray we would truly value others above ourselves. May all we do in our lives be always to Your praise and glory. In Jesus' name we Pray, AMEN. Human nature generally indicates that we are able to love the people who love us. Unsaved men and women prove this to be true. Loving those that love us comes naturally, and although there may well be a selfish motive underlying human love, Jesus tells us that if you only love those that love you, there is no credit connected with this in God's divine administration. Loving, lending, and giving to others, too often has an ulterior motive. Financial institutions, for example, only lend to those they are confident will repay. But, whether it's a friendly bank or a kindly person lending to others, there is generally an expectation that they will be receiving some sort of remuneration. This may be the way of the world, but Jesus introduced a heavenly standard that can only be implemented in a redeemed life, as empowered from above. The distinctive behavior and divine love that is described in this verse, can only manifest in the one that has been born from above, as the life and nature of Christ is manifested in them. Only those that are saved by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus can display these divine characteristics of our holy and loving God and Father. May the love and grace of Christ fill our hearts so much, that we manifest The Divine Love Of God to others, in word and in deed, and become a beautiful reflection of Christ Jesus our Savior and bring honor and glory to His holy name. Luke 6:35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.  Our United Prayer:
Heavenly Father, our own, human love is found wanting and without the love of Christ flowing through us, we are incapable of living as You would have us to live. Fill us, day by day, with the love of Christ so that we may love our enemies, pray for those that despitefully use us, and show goodness and grace to others in need. Help us to reflect the godly characteristics of Christ in our everyday lives, to His praise and glory. This we ask in His precious name, AMEN. |
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