It is not enough for Christians to only believe in Jesus Christ, but they must be ready to suffer for Him. Inasmuch as God has generously granted the Beloved the privilege not only to trust in Christ, but also to suffer for His sake. Are you prepared to suffer on His behalf? Adhere to Jesus Christ and relying on Him is not sufficient, but make sure that your everyday life is worthy of the Gospel of Christ and you are prepared to suffer for His sake. There’s far more to this life than trusting in Christ; there’s also suffering for him, and the suffering is as much as gift as the trusting in Jesus; according to the Book of Philippians which says, “For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake.” Philippians 1:29. Are you ready to utilize your privilege of suffering for Christ? It is better to accept the honor that God gave you to believe and suffer for Christ.

You must have been warned that you will suffer affliction for your faith and Christ’s sake. Your teacher or pastor must have told you previously that you will be persecuted before being glorified. The troubles should not come as any surprise to the Believers; because it is part of their calling to suffer for Christ. The Bible attested to this fact by saying, “For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know.” 1 Thessalonians 3:4. Therefore, do not allow your suffering for Christ sake to make you renounce your faith or lead you astray.

Whenever you suffer for Christ’s sake at the hand of your fellow countrymen, you are sharing the experience of the real Church of God, where the truth reigns. Your experiences of persecution are like those of the righteous people who refused to compromise. So, imitate the honest people who are prepared to suffer for Christ in order to be glorified; according to the scripture which says, “For you brethren, become imitators of the Churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans.” 1 Thessalonians 2:14. Therefore, endure whatever suffering that you are passing through for Christ’s sake because it won’t last.

Hence, do not relent because of your suffering, but continue to forge forward with your propagation of the Gospel. Even if you have been outrageously treated in the past, summon the courage to proclaim boldly the Good News of God. You must not be discouraged by how people maltreated and insulted you because of your faith in Christ; instead, ask God to embolden you. Ask God to strengthen and assist you to be brave to overcome your suffering. You need to emulate Paul and others who continued to spread the Gospel despite the opposition and the abominable treatment they received at Philippi; according to the Bible passage which says, “But even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the Gospel in much conflict.” 1 Thessalonians 2:2. Do not allow your suffering, or rough treatment to slow you down; instead be defiant to any opposition of the Gospel.

The apostles were arrested and imprisoned; however the Lord sent an angel who set them free from imprisonment. The apostles were later arraigned before the council of elders. They were interrogated and beaten; so the apostles rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer disgrace for the sake of Christ’s name. The apostles were happy; because they were given the honor of suffering shame for Jesus’ name. The Bible chronicled this event by saying “So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.” Acts 5:17-41. Are you ready to suffer dishonor for the sake of Jesus’ name? Do you think you are worthy to bear humiliation for Messiah’s name? You must be prepared to suffer with Christ, before you can be glorified.

Jesus told Ananias that He will make clear to Saul/Paul how much he must suffer and endure for His name’s sake. The transformation of Saul to Paul meant he would be afflicted on the account of the name of the Lord that he had persecuted. Inasmuch as Paul is the Lord’s chosen instrument to bear His name before the Gentiles; Paul suffered greatly, but he endures till the end; so he was glorified. The Bible corroborated this fact by saying, “For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.” Acts 9:13-16. Your life will be transformed in this world and you will be glorified if you can suffer for Christ’s sake.

For this reason, Paul gave up everything else, and counted them as garbage. Paul the apostle counted the worldly things as liabilities that are incomparable with the greatness of knowing and suffering for the sake of Christ Jesus. For Jesus Christ’s sake, Paul discarded everything else and counted all things a waste; so that he can have Christ. The Bible certified this fact by saying, “Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ.” Philippians 3:8. Are you ready to dump everything in the trash; so that you can focus on Christ? Are you prepared to shun worldliness; in order to win Jesus? If you consider everything in the world to be useless and garbage, why not fully embrace Jesus Christ and suffer for Him? Do you realize that counting everything as a loss is incomparable to progressively becoming more deeply and intimately acquainted with Jesus Christ your Savior?

Therefore, do whatever it takes; so that you will be fit for the kingdom of heaven for which you are suffering. Inasmuch as God is right and judges fairly; He has designed that you will be deemed qualify of His eternal kingdom, if you are obedient. It is left to you to strive to be considered worthy of the Glorious Home for which you are suffering. Without doubt, God intends to use your suffering for His glory to make you worthy of His heavenly kingdom. If you are righteous, all your trouble is a clear sign that God has decided to make you fit for His everlasting kingdom; according to the scripture which says, “Which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer.” 2 Thessalonians 1:5. We pray that your suffering will not be in vain, in Jesus name. Amen.
​

It is important for you to know how to live in humble circumstances when you are poor; and learn the secret of being happy at any time and in everything that happens. Be content with whatever you have, so that you will not fall into sin. Be pleased with whatever circumstance you find yourself in, and adapt with your situation which is for a brief period; so that you will not fall into temptation, or be shaken by your affliction. Do not be unsettled by your difficulties; because Christians have been destined for it. You must realize that you have to suffer for Christ’s sake; so do not be discouraged by your troubles.

Difficulties should not come as any surprise to you; since it is part of the Christianity calling; therefore, do not be shaken by your trials or persecution; according to the Bible passage which says, “That no one should be shaken by these afflictions, for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this.” 1 Thessalonians 3:3. Do not be disturbed, or beguiled by your hardship; because they will soon pass away. Make sure that your afflictions do not lead you astray. We pray that you will be counted worthy of the glory of God, in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.

​The Lord Jesus Christ suffered first, before He was glorified. Jesus was focused, despite the fact that He was rejected by that generation. You too must first suffer for the glory of God, and be focused throughout the duration of your suffering; so that you will be admitted into the Glorious Kingdom of God. The Bible confirmed this fact by saying, “But first He must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.” Luke 17:25. The scripture clearly predicted that it is inevitable for Christ to suffer before He will be glorified. Was it not necessary for the Messiah to suffer, and then enter His glory? Don’t you think you must follow the footsteps of Christ and suffer for the glory of God? The Book of Luke attested to this fact by saying, “Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter His glory?” Luke 24:26. For this reason, everyone that is heaven-bound is destined to suffer; in order to be glorified with Jesus Christ their Redeemer. Imitate Jesus Christ, by suffering for the glory of God. 


Every soul who desires to be glorified must first be persecuted. If people mistreated Jesus Christ, they will mistreat you too. Inasmuch as the Messiah was harassed; you too will be harassed, if you want to be admitted into the kingdom of heaven. So, whenever people wrong you, continue to persevere in order to be glorified. Do not see your persecution as a strange thing, but endure, because it is the fate of the Beloved; according to the Bible passage which says, “Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.” John 15:20. Are you ready to be persecuted for Christ’s sake?

Anyone who shares in the suffering of Christ will also share in His glory. The only way to share out of Jesus’ spiritual blessing and inheritance is to suffer for His name’s sake. Sharing in the suffering of Christ will make you share in His glory; according to the Book of Romans which says, “And if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.” Romans 8:17.  Are you prepared to go through what Christ went through? Do you know that the conditionality to be glorified is to partake in Christ’s suffering? Do you realize that if you go through hard times with Jesus, you will also go through good times with Him?

Hence, do not fear whatever that you are passing through for Christ’s sake; because you will be glorified at the end. Dismiss the dread of your challenges and endure your ordeals; then you will be rewarded with a glorious life. If you do not quit, but endure your trials, even if it costs you your life; you will be given a crown of life. As it is written, “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” Revelation 2:10. It is inevitable for you to be faithful to God and endure to the point of death; in order to be glorified.