DAD'S RAMBLINGS – Looking Beyond The Pain
Romans 12:14
"Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse."
This seems like a hard verse. Even David, a man after God's own heart, cried out to God to bring retribution on his enemies. I am currently reading the auto-biography of Bob Fu who was tortured in a Chinese prison for his faith in Christ. How can a person endure such pain without resentment? I think the only way must be to look beyond the pain to the reward. A marathon runner has to keep his mind on the reward at the finish line in order to get past the pain. Looking beyond the pain, we see how much Jesus suffered for us. That was Paul's perspective. "I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ...." (Colossians 1:24). He also said, "The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us" (Romans 8:18). Peter urged his readers to "rejoice to the extent of Christ's sufferings" (I Peter 4:13). And the Lord Jesus taught us to "rejoice and be exceeding glad [in persecution] for great is your reward in heaven" (Matthew 5:12). "Blessed is the man who endures temptation, for when he has been approved, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him" (James 1:12). So the secret is to look beyond the current pain to the reward.
TODAY'S THOUGHT: Suffering for Christ brings eternal reward.
Have a "blessing" day. Love you.
Romans 12:14
"Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse."
This seems like a hard verse. Even David, a man after God's own heart, cried out to God to bring retribution on his enemies. I am currently reading the auto-biography of Bob Fu who was tortured in a Chinese prison for his faith in Christ. How can a person endure such pain without resentment? I think the only way must be to look beyond the pain to the reward. A marathon runner has to keep his mind on the reward at the finish line in order to get past the pain. Looking beyond the pain, we see how much Jesus suffered for us. That was Paul's perspective. "I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ...." (Colossians 1:24). He also said, "The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us" (Romans 8:18). Peter urged his readers to "rejoice to the extent of Christ's sufferings" (I Peter 4:13). And the Lord Jesus taught us to "rejoice and be exceeding glad [in persecution] for great is your reward in heaven" (Matthew 5:12). "Blessed is the man who endures temptation, for when he has been approved, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him" (James 1:12). So the secret is to look beyond the current pain to the reward.
TODAY'S THOUGHT: Suffering for Christ brings eternal reward.
Have a "blessing" day. Love you.
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