4.Do Christians have suffering?

Suffering

Oracle, Burden

What are these? Are these different?

What is the meaning of Suffering for Christ?

Will LORD permit sufferings to His people?

Let us see in this Chapter.

Job suffered. LORD permitted Satan to persecute Job. (see Job Chapter 1 to Chapter 2)

In Old Testament there are many instances where Oracle, Burden was mentioned. However in New Testament there is no mention. This is because Jeremiah has written as below

And when this people, or the prophet, or a priest, shall ask thee, saying, What is the burden of the LORD? thou shalt then say unto them, What burden? I will even forsake you, saith the LORD. And as for the prophet, and the priest, and the people, that shall say, The burden of the LORD, I will even punish that man and his house. Thus shall ye say every one to his neighbor, and every one to his brother, What hath the LORD answered? and, What hath the LORD spoken? And the burden of the LORD shall ye mention no more… (Jeremiah 23:33-36)

However there are Christians who now say, I have got the Burden from the LORD, I have a Prayer Burden, I have a Burden to do this work etc.,

Realize that the LORD knows if you could do a particular assignment, before he gives you.

Jesus says

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light (Matthew 11:28-30) (NIV)

So, if you say you have a Burden from the LORD, do you mean that you have not taken up the light yoke which Jesus offered?

It is foretold that sufferings will be there in Christian Life. Jesus says that we would be persecuted for the sake of being His follower.

Also many would quote the Paul’s Epistles that sufferings would come.

Romans 8:17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.(NIV)

Colossians 1:24 Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. (NIV)

Peter in his Epistle says about suffering we need to endure.

For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 1_Peter 2:19-21 (NIV)

But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. 1 Peter 3:14 (NIV)

In the revelation to Apostle John

Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown. Revelation 2:10 (NIV)

So, sufferings for the sake of Jesus’ Gospel will come. When such suffering comes, be happy.

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:11-12)(NIV)

Another type of suffering. Suffering due to our own flesh. We, the Children of God who are grown spiritually, who have died for Sins and resurrected along with Jesus through Baptism, not succumbing to pressures of sins itself is a suffering. However this suffering is not done for the sake of Jesus Gospel. If Jesus rules over our every moment of life, we will never allow sin to enter us. When a person who has received the Holy Spirit wanders to sin, the Holy Spirit shall warn him/her from sinning. If we allow our flesh to be controlled by the Holy Spirit completely, He will never make us to succumb to the pressures of Sins.

May the LORD alone lead you. Amen.

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