ORDEALS TO ENCOUNTER FOR JESUS' NAME SAKESpeaker: Dr. D.G.S. Dhinakaran Gist: All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. These miseries and torments will make us shine as gold. This will pour the love of God into our hearts. "So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name." (Acts 9:16)
"For I will show him (St. Paul) how many things he must suffer for My name's sake" (Acts 9:16) said Jesus.
On one hand people were healed when the kerchiefs and turbans of apostle Paul were placed on the sick. Afflictions and demons fled when the people touched his garments. On the other hand agony and anguish prevailed in his personal life. That is why when apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, his beloved son in Christ, he mentioned about the persecutions, afflictions - which he endured at Anitioch, Iconium and Lystra. The Lord delivered him out of them all. Yes, and all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. (II Timothy 3:11,12).
You must have read in the newspapers about the failure of Columbus space ship that burned to ashes when it returned to the earth after its mission. When it returned to the atmosphere of the earth from space, it developed heart to the tune of 12,000 deg C.
The Scientists equipped the spaceship with necessary arrangements to withstand this massive heat. But unfortunately at the moment of its contact with the earth's atmosphere, the equipment failed to function. So in that excessive heart the spaceship burned to ashes killing all on board.
We are not able to withstand the heat of 40 deg C. So we could guess what a terrible heat 12000 deg C would be. So also, suddenly torments and tribulations encounter us. We have to face battles against principalities, spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places and evil people of this world. (Ephesians 6:12; II Thessalonians 3:1,2). But these powers cannot overcome us. "Though He was a son, yet he learned obedience by the things which He suffered." (Hebrews 5:8). So also when we pass through the afflictions we learn His laws and precepts (Psalm 119:71).
Job also has said, "When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold" (Job 23:10).
My dearly beloved, we experience afflictions for this purpose only. All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution These experiences create a love and affection in Jesus Christ. They transform us into the nature of Christ.
As we have passed through the valley of tears, we are able to comprehend the mental and physical sufferings of others when they share them with us. As apostle Paul has said, "As I follow Jesus you also follow me and my faith", let's adhere to this. As apostle Paul has believed, let's also believe that Jesus Christ is alive even today. Let's have faith in the name of Jesus, His word and the Holy Spirit.
Then all these hardships and ordeals cannot overpower us. These miseries and torments will make us shine as gold. This will pour the love of God into our hearts. It will enable us to realise the sufferings of others. Our Lord Jesus Christ will be proud of us. One day we will enter paradise. The Lord God would embrace and kiss us with great affection and appreciation. He will bless us with honour and reputation.
Prayer
Our heavenly Father,
I praise You, for You are my very present help in times of trouble. Help me not to murmur or grumble over the trials and tribulations that face me today. Enable me to know that they are instruments in transforming me into Your likeness. Strengthen me to live this day courageously and keep me firmly rooted in Your faith. In Jesus' precious and mighty name I pray. Amen |