Suffering, "It's In the Script" and God Has a Plan to Redeem It

What Are You Willing To Do To Serve Others?

“When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.” Colossians 2:13-15

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So, are you ready to serve others and give away what you have received? If your sins have been canceled by Grace, is it time to go share the good news to others who need good news? How else will the lost be found?

Why don't we share the good news of the Gospel with others, especially those who are suffering? Is it that we fear rejection? It is for me.

I also struggle with my worthiness. Why would someone listen to me, especially those who hate Christians and despise what I stand for?

The question is, "Am I willing to deny myself and suffer rejection and humiliation in the act of serving others, from my heart?"

And, what about when "the other's" you are supposed to be serving hate you, and say all kinds of vile things about you?

Can you love others who are not like you? Have you bought into "serving others," I mean bought in all the way, like in 110% bought in? If so, you are one of a few who are willing to face their fears and love anyway.

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us." Romans 8:18

How Vulnerable are You Willing to Become?

Intuitively, we know that when serving others authentically, from our heart, we have to become vulnerable. When we love others in service, we put ourselves in a vulnerable position and we face being misunderstood and rejected, and even shunned.

However, now that you have been made alive together with Christ, in Glory, is it time to take on the sufferings of Christ in the service of others? Are you ready to risk and face your fears and become vulnerable?

Are you ready to "give away" and share the abundance of grace you have received to those who are lost? Are you ready to sacrifice and stand in the gap for those still suffering in vain, even when they hate you?

"and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously;" 1 Peter 2:23

As you know from personal, "hurting people hurt people." I am sure you have hurt people and people have hurt you. The question is, can you forgive those who hate you and love anyway?

How much have you been forgiven? If you are like me, I owe everything to Jesus. My sin is great and I am in need of a Savior. I don't deserve to be forgiven, but I am.

Therefore, in loving gratitude and appreciation for my blessing, I choose to love others just like God loves me. He forgave me, so I forgive. I choose to love others like Jesus, including those who hate me.

The late evangelist Billy Graham, once said: “The record of our bad deeds (including our defective good deeds), along with the just penalties of our sin (that each of us deserves), must be blotted out. Not balanced, no - totally blotted out."

Mr. Graham went on to say that Christ suffered and died and willingly endured suffering for us, to set us free.

"But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world." 1 Peter 5:9

How willing are you to serve others? Can you follow Jesus' example?

Can you love those who hate you? Can you serve those who despise you and say and do all kinds of horrible things about you which are all meant to harm you? Can you serve those people?

"For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ." 2 Corinthians 1:5

Jesus is Our Only Hope, So I Place My Faith in Him

Why must it happen like this? Why the suffering? Why can't we just skip to the pain and discomfort and get right to the Heaven part? There is an answer to this question… "if you and I can endure."

"that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death;" Philippians 3:10

If we can persevere, and we don’t give up hope and we don’t get discouraged in doing good things, and if we persevere in Hope, then God promises in due time He will exalt us. Meaning, He will make everything right. Our job is to place our faith in Him and then stand regardless of the circumstances.

Don't lose heart, keep doing good, the suffering is temporary, and in the end, worth it!

"Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation." 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

According to Billy Graham, “God the Father is the God of Justice and His wrath for our sin was satisfied with the suffering and death of Jesus. The holy curse against our sin was fully absorbed in Jesus’ death, and the price of our forgiveness was totally paid."

We've been blessed! So, our job is to share the good news of Jesus' salvation so that those in pain will turn to God and find relief too.

“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Billy Graham goes on to teach, “the death of Jesus and His resurrection is not only the demonstration of God’s love (John 3:16), it is also the supreme expression of Christ’s own love for all who receive it as their treasure."

“Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” Ephesians 5:25

Furthermore, Mr. Graham taught “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends.” John 15:13

And Jesus declares, “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28

And Peter taught, "but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation." 1 Peter 4:13

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