We are Christians; we will suffer

Written by Reese Maguire

VOMC recently received some tweets via Twitter:

@VOMC Help me understand, pls. If Jesus said we were gonna share n His suffring b/c the world would hate us too...why r we complaining?

@VOMC I thought the Bible said to count it all joy? & that He would give us power to bear up under it?

If the Bible clearly tells us that we will suffer for His name’s sake, why then, as Christians, do we sometimes complain about suffering? And, why are we surprised when we suffer?

Now, there isn’t a post long enough to explore all the reasons why Christians suffer. Nor is there one long enough to cover the many issues that contribute to suffering or the explanations of those issues. So, I’ll simplify and say the Bible tells us that we will suffer and that we should be joyful when we do.

The Apostle Peter writes:

Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. (1 Peter 4: 12-13 NKJV).

“Don’t be surprised.” We should never be surprised when we suffer for Christ’s name. Instead, we should anticipate it. In the West, however, we enjoy religious freedoms that allow us openly to represent Christ. We don’t anticipate suffering in that context.

“Be very glad.” James 1: 2-4 tells us why: “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (NKJV). In joy, Christ endured the cross. In joy, we endure trials, tribulations and suffering.

Around the world, there are more than 50 nations without the religious freedoms of the West. Many, many Christians suffer because of it. Our goal at VOM Canada is to raise awareness of the suffering that exists, not to complain about it, because we know we will suffer. We want our fellow believers to know we suffer with them. And, we want you to know about their suffering so that you can join in prayer and help provide for their needs.

So, to recap, when it comes to suffering, Christians should:

1. never be surprised, 
2. be very glad and 
3. consider it an opportunity for great joy. 

Please pray for our fellow brothers and sisters today!

IDOP 2010: Pray with us this Sunday

Richard Wurmbrand wrote about the power of prayer in the May 1989 The Voice of the Martyrs newsletter:

Prayer has more power than an atomic bomb. It has changed both Russia and China, where the situation has eased to some extent, though the governments are still decidedly anti-religious. The chief cause of this change has been the loving prayers of the sufferers for their henchmen, seconded by the prayers in the West of Christians we have alerted and informed.

When I was in prison, Catholics, Orthodox, Lutherans, Baptists, Pentecostals and Adventists were all in the same cells and endured the same atrocities. Instead of arguing about less important things, we united in love and prayer for the killers, and we used every occasion to tell our torturers about Christ.

This Sunday, we encourage you to join with believers around the world and pray for Christians who suffer for their faith during the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. Downloadable resources such as prayer points, Bible readings, devotionals, video, testimonies and children’s material are still available at http://www.idop.org/.

Just as the Apostle Paul asked the church in Thessalonica to pray, we ask you to stand with us and pray for those in the midst of persecution, that God would continue to work in their lives and do a work in the hearts of those around them.

Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we ask you to pray for us. Pray that the Lord’s message will spread rapidly and be honuored wherever it goes, just as when it came to you. Pray, too, that we will be rescued from wicked and evil people, for not everyone is a believer. But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. And we are confident in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we commanded you. May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ (2 Thessalonians 3:1-5).