The apostles suffered for the glory of God

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.
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