Sufferings That Bear Fruit

Lets talk about the different ways we are called to suffer and the reasons. I hope to encourage you all to endure the suffering you may be going through. First, let me point out what the Bible says is the normal Christian life. 1Pe 5:10 And the God of all grace, who called you unto his eternal glory in Christ, after that ye have suffered a little while, shall himself perfect, establish, strengthen you. This comforts us that our suffering is temporary and serves God’s purposes to bring us to maturity. Heb.10:32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were enlightened, ye endured a great conflict of sufferings… This is confusing to some people because they’ve heard the “prosperity gospel,” and so they don’t think you’re supposed to go through any suffering, but we’ve seen that suffering the loss of your old life in order to have your new life, is just a fulfillment of our baptism. It’s a necessity. If we don’t lose our life, we can’t gain our life, as Jesus said several times.

Joh.12:25 He that loveth his life loseth it; (Life here is the Greek word psuché and it means “soul; a person’s distinct identity, or individual personality.” It is our mind, will, and emotions.) and he that hateth his life (psuché) in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. This last word for “life: is the Greek word zóé, the spiritual life, God’s life. (Strong’s says, “The Lord intimately shares His gift of life with people, creating each in His image, which gives all the capacity to know His eternal life.”) He’s talking about losing the lower, carnal life for the higher, spiritual life. The carnal life is in conflict with the spiritual life: a conflict that every Christian must go through. We must suffer the death of self to have God’s life.

Heb.10:32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were enlightened, ye endured a great conflict of sufferings; 33 partly, being made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions… That’s very true. When you turn to Christ, you have a new spirit, and that new spirit is contrary to the world’s spirit. They know you’re different, and they don’t feel comfortable around people who are righteous, so they persecute you. 33 …, being made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions and partly becoming partakers with them that were so used. We need to suffer with God’s people. Whatever it costs, we need to stand beside them.

34 For ye both had compassion on them that were in bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your possessions… Sometimes you will be plundered, but don’t be concerned because the Bible says, Php.4:19 And my God shall supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. No matter what they steal from you, it makes no difference. God will replace it with better. The factious have stolen from me many times. They may be stealing just your ego, or they may be stealing your money or possessions; it’s all part of the crucifixion. We need to take it joyfully because not everybody receives this awesome gift that’s been given to us from God, and we should praise Him for it. Whatever we go through in this short little life to be in that higher life is worth it. We are privileged, and we should be thankful to God every moment.

Heb.10:34 For ye both had compassion on them that were in bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your possessions, knowing that ye have for yourselves a better possession and an abiding one. (Yes, an eternal one.) 35 Cast not away therefore your boldness, which hath great recompense of reward. The devil wants to take away our boldness. He’ll try to put condemnation on you, he’ll try to put fear on you, he’ll do anything to take away your boldness in your faith because there’s nothing he can do with that. Your faith defeats him. So don’t cast it away. Don’t get angry at God or at anybody else. Endure the trial of your faith patiently.

36 For ye have need of patience, that, having done the will of God, ye may receive the promise. Yes, indeed, we must endure in faith to the end. 37 For yet a very little while, He that cometh shall come, and shall not tarry. This is talking about the coming of the Lord in your life, not just in the air. He is coming in your life. Be patient, endure the trials, and keep your eye on the goal. 2Co.3:18 But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord the Spirit. Behold in the mirror the glory of the Lord and claim it as yours.

Heb.10:38 But my righteous one shall live by faith: And if he shrink back, my soul hath no pleasure in him. What we’re proving through our trials is who the true believers are. Those who were His from the foundation of the world will be manifested, and they will endure the trial joyfully, because of what’s being given to them. 39 But we are not of them that shrink back unto perdition; but of them that have faith unto the saving of the soul. The “saving of the soul” is Him coming in you, it’s … Christ in you, the hope of glory. (Col.1:27) If you want to see what “salvation” is, look at Jesus. That is what “saved” is. He is coming in you, first in spirit, then in soul, and then, if you endure in your faith, in body.

2Cor.13:5 Try your own selves, whether ye are in the faith; prove your own selves… How do we apply the faith that’s been given unto us? First, you must stay in the Scriptures to renew your mind, because you will be transformed by the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:2). The Word is what gives you faith. Rom.10:17 So belief [cometh] of hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. And as we are having our minds renewed by the Word, the next question is, “Are you applying the faith that the Lord gave you to the situations in your life?” When you are tempted by the old life, do you continue to claim the new? Protect your new life with the promises. (Eph.6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, (to protect the mind of the Spirit) and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: and Heb.4:12 For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart.)

We study the Scriptures to see how to apply the promises of the Word. 2Co.1:20 For how many soever be the promises of God, in him is the yea (or yes): wherefore also through him is the Amen (it is finished), unto the glory of God through us. Christians don’t understand that they have so much authority in God that has hardly been tapped. Jesus said in Mar.11:24 … All things whatsoever ye pray and ask for, believe that ye received (Greek) them, and ye shall have them. Are you walking by faith to receive everything that God has provided for you? Ask Him for it so you can do it. Receive it. Study the Word. Don’t be an idolater. Don’t let anything get in your way; don’t let anything be more important.

2Co.13:5 Try your own selves, whether ye are in the faith; prove your own selves. Or know ye not as to your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you? unless indeed ye be reprobate. We don’t want to be adokimos, meaning “reprobate, rejected, unapproved; by implication, ‘worthless.’” You do have what you need because Christ is in you. You’ve been given the Spirit of Christ so that you can have the Soul of Christ: the Mind, the Will, and the Emotions of Christ. This power of the Spirit of Christ is there, especially if you’ve been baptized in the Holy Spirit, as they were in the Book of Acts. The power is there; believe it. Look in the mirror and see Jesus. Remember and confess that you are not living anymore; Jesus lives in you. Gal.2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me: and that [life] which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, [the faith] which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me. That’s the good confession that came out of Paul’s mouth, and when you confess that, you will have power. Don’t let the devil talk you into thinking that he has power, because he has none if you exercise yours. He wants you to see your failures so you have no faith, but you were “crucified with Christ” and you don’t live anymore.

1Co.10:1 For I would not, brethren, have you ignorant, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea (Here Paul is explaining this parable, and is applying it to us. He’s saying it’s the same thing we are going through, so he can make his point:); 2 and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea… The “cloud” represents the Holy Spirit baptism. The “sea” represents water baptism. The old man goes down into that water, and the new man is the one who comes up. The old life of Pharaoh's people died, and the true Israelite came up on the other side. There may be some of you who have been baptized in the “sea” but not in the “cloud”. In other words you were baptized in water but haven’t been baptized in the Holy Spirit. Please seek God for that first and foremost and believe you have received as Jesus said.

1Co.10:2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; (3) and did all eat the same spiritual food; (4) and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of a spiritual rock that followed them: and the rock was Christ. Are you “drinking” of Christ? Are you “drinking” of the Word? He was the Word made flesh (John 1:14). Are you partaking of His Life? He made reconciliation. He gave His Life for yours; His Life is yours now. Keep confessing it, keep thanking God for it, keep applying it. Don’t walk by sight for this is not faith. You have authority; you are no longer helpless. You can do all things through Christ. Php.4:13 I can do all things in him that strengtheneth me.

1Co.10:5 Howbeit with most of them God was not well pleased (It’s the same situation today. This is a repetition of history.): for they were overthrown in the wilderness. As we’ve learned from the Parable of the Sower, three out of four are overthrown, so those three out of four will fall away because of a lack of faith. 6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. They were the chosen people, and they had all those wonderful promises, but they didn’t appreciate them. They got their eyes on the problems and the things of the world, or the lack thereof, instead of on the promises, and they fell away.

1Co.10:7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. The Greek word there for play is paizó and it means “to play like a child; to sport, jest; to give way to hilarity.” Yes, you can sit down and you can “eat and drink” of the Life and the Water of the Lord, which is the Word, and then go right back to “playing” at being a Christian, not realizing that you’re being called to be a disciple, and that you’re being called to lose your life and follow Him.

1Co.10:8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. There are a lot of fornicators with the world among God’s people. They think they can love the world and get away with it, but no, it says they “fell,” and so shall you unless you repent. Don’t justify your sin to yourself. Don’t do as one man did, who called me and tried to use the love of God to justify his sin. He was leaning on verses such as Psa.52:1 … The lovingkindness of God endureth continually. Even when I pointed out the verses in the Bible about the election and predestination of the righteous and the falling away of the wicked, he kept saying, “No, he is a loving God.” People like that create a Jesus that lets them continue in their sin, but they don’t know what love is. God is not Love if He permits spiritual fornication in His Kingdom, or He permits it among His people to pollute His people. If the Bible says something is sin, it’s sin; admit it, confess it, and God in His Love will deliver you.

1Co.10:9 Neither let us make trial of the Lord, as some of them made trial, and perished by the serpents. 10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them murmured, and perished by the destroyer. Murmurers are complainers. Murmurers are whiners. Murmurers don’t remember the special, wonderful thing that God has chosen them for, though, as we’ve seen, they must endure a trial of their faith to receive the promise. Murmuring is not enduring the trial of your faith. Murmuring is what you do because you’re looking at the things that are, instead of calling … the things that are not, as though they were. (Rom.4:17) Murmuring will keep you from walking by faith and joyfully taking the suffering as a necessity to destroy the old life and bring about the new life.

1Co.10:11 Now these things happened unto them by way of example (That’s the Greek word tupos meaning “type, prefiguring something or somebody”; “a parable.”); and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages are come. So all of us can know those failures they went through in their wilderness, were to exhort us not to walk in their steps. 1Co.10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. That’s the “falling away.” If you think you’ve arrived and you can relax in the flesh, forget it. You go from victory to victory, from glory to glory, but you have to fight the battle to do that. Many people are just resting in the flesh.

1Co.10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as man can bear: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able (You may give in because you’re tired of hearing the devil whisper in your ear, but then it’s your choice to do that, because God says that you are able to overcome.); but will with the temptation make also the way of escape… So what is “the way of escape” when you’re being tempted? You remember your baptism, you remember you don’t live anymore, you remember that you can tell the devil, “No, I can’t be tempted with that because that was crucified on the Cross and I’m saved, I’m delivered, and I’m healed,” and on and on. You remember that you already have the past tense promises, and you stand on them by faith.

1Ti.6:12 Fight the good fight of the faith, lay hold on the life eternal, whereunto thou wast called, and didst confess the good confession in the sight of many witnesses. “Fight the good fight of the faith,” confess the promises and He will make a way of escape. 1Co.10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as man can bear: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation make also the way of escape, that ye may be able to endure it. 14 Wherefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.

Now, what is the purpose and end result of all our suffering? We must suffer the loss of our old life to bear the fruit of Jesus. We must take up our cross daily to suffer the death of the flesh in obedience to the Word. Patiently enduring our cross brings quick results. Many have been going through suffering, and the Church is about to go through great suffering. We all need to learn how to handle suffering the right way, because it’s one of God’s greatest tools for bringing about the righteousness of Christ in us. As disciples of Christ, we learn from the examples we have from Him and His apostles and many Christians throughout history.

We are told in 1Pe.2:18 Servants, [be] in subjection to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward (or “unreasonable”). 19 For this is acceptable (Greek: “grace”), if for conscience toward God a man endureth griefs, suffering wrongfully. It’s okay with God, and should be with us, to endure grief and suffering, even wrongfully, as it was with Jesus. 20 For what glory is it, if, when ye sin, and are buffeted [for it,] ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer [for it,] ye shall take it patiently, this is acceptable (“grace”) with God. 21 For hereunto were ye called (We are called to suffer for doing right): because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that ye should follow his steps:

22 who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23 who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, threatened not; but committed [himself] to him that judgeth righteously. He left it all in the hands of His Father. When we’re suffering, that’s when our lowest instincts – all sorts of pride, rebellion, and anger – come up in our mind, especially when we’re suffering at the hands of another who we think should know better. How else would we know its there and reject it? But God brings us through suffering because of the lusts of our own flesh. For example, Christ suffered for doing good, and we are going to suffer for doing good, too. 1Pe.3:14 But even if ye should suffer for righteousness’ sake, blessed [are ye:] and fear not their fear, neither be troubled; 15 but sanctify in your hearts Christ as Lord … So we get blessed by Father for suffering wrongfully if during that temptation we let Christ be our Lord.

Our first temptation when we suffer at the hands of a person or circumstance is to not make “Christ as Lord” in our heart; instead, it’s every other fleshly desire that comes to mind. Jesus “committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously” when He was suffering. Meaning, He wasn’t taking thought of vengeance or falling into the mind of the flesh; He was leaving it up to God, and He tells you the same thing: “sanctify in your hearts Christ as Lord.” 1Pe.4:1 Forasmuch then as Christ suffered in the flesh, arm ye yourselves also with the same mind. Consider it your privilege and Christian duty to suffer in the flesh as Jesus did. Flesh dies when you don’t feed it.

Do we have a mind like that? The fleshly mind is to run from any kind of suffering, to avoid at all costs the thing that we need the most. Christians in the United States, especially, need suffering because God wills it, and people need to be delivered from their selfish interests and self-centeredness. Continuing in 1Pe.4:1 … for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin … When our flesh is suffering, it’s because it’s not getting its way. When the flesh isn’t getting its way, we’re not sinning. It’s so simple. We’re called to suffer in the flesh, and we need to know that suffering is our most precious friend. So we suffer in the flesh, 2 That ye no longer should live the rest of your time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. We need suffering so we can live the rest of our lives as servants of Jesus Christ, free from the bondage of the dying flesh.

How do you know suffering is from the Lord? When you understand God’s purposes in suffering, it makes it a lot easier for you to endure because you see the good purposes behind it. We will no longer be deceived by Satan into wrestling with flesh and blood, in blaming others, or in anger against ignorant vessels. 1Pe.4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial among you, which cometh upon you to prove you … The problem is that we see it as strange; we think that there is something not quite right about suffering, but we need to change our minds. We need to have the mind that is in Christ, and we need to expect that we’re going to suffer for the name of Christ so that His name, His nature, can be manifested in us to prove, perfect, and purify us.

1Pe.4:12 … which cometh upon you to prove you, as though a strange thing happened unto you: 13 but insomuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, rejoice; that at the revelation of his glory also ye may rejoice with exceeding joy. If we can manage to rejoice in the midst of suffering, it will make it a lot easier and God’s glory will be revealed in us as this verse says. The Bible commands us to rejoice in our suffering. Rom.5:3 … We also rejoice in our tribulations: knowing that tribulation worketh stedfastness (perseverance); 4 and stedfastness, approvedness (character); and approvedness, hope. Suffering is all about bringing about the revelation and manifestation of the glory of God in us.

It goes on to say, 1Pe.4:14 If ye are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed [are ye]. 19 Wherefore let them also that suffer according to the will of God commit their souls in well-doing unto a faithful Creator. Why does it say “Creator”? Basically, you’re like the clay in the Creator’s hands when you do this. It says “Creator” for a purpose because that’s how God creates in us the righteousness of Christ.

Now, suffering can be wasted. In the midst of suffering or a trial, you need to commit your soul in “well-doing,” in doing what is right in the midst of that trial. The suffering is coming upon you for a reason to prove you and to bring about the righteousness of Christ in you. Don’t waste suffering because you don’t want to go through that trial again, like the Israelites who had to go back through the wilderness because they didn’t pass the test. You need to make it useful by committing your soul in well-doing in the midst of it. We can’t stop the suffering, but we can do what’s right in the middle of it. Only in this way do we not waste our time but profit from it.

1Pe.5:8 Be sober, be watchful: your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 whom withstand stedfast in your faith, knowing that the same sufferings are accomplished in your brethren who are in the world. The world suffers from the same things that we suffer from, but here’s the difference: 10 And the God of all grace, who called you unto his eternal glory in Christ, after that ye have suffered a little while, shall himself perfect, establish, strengthen you. God has promised that through our suffering, He will perfect you. Praise God!

If you look at suffering as God’s method of perfecting you, that makes it much easier to endure the suffering, and it also makes you not so willing to run away from it. The thing we need the most is the thing that we seek to run away from or avoid the most. If you have a mind to please the Lord in the midst of suffering, if you have a mind to live Godly, first of all, you are going to suffer. 2Ti.3:12 … All that would live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. Those who desire to live godly are going to suffer, and persecution is only one area of that suffering, but you can’t avoid it. Suffering is God’s method of deliverance and of setting us free. It is our cross we were commanded by Jesus to bear.

There are all kinds of suffering because there are all kinds of flesh that needs to be brought forth. Don’t waste the suffering that you go through on self-pity, animosity, anger, and especially, don’t waste the suffering that you go through on rebellion and unforgiveness. The first rebellion that you have when you go through suffering is that you want to run from it or fight back. Jesus didn’t do that. When Jesus was going to the Cross, He said in Luk.22:42 Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me. What “cup” was that? It was the “cup” of suffering. Jesus wasn’t going to avoid it or run from it, and finally, He came to the revelation that it wasn’t God’s Will to take it away. So He went through it patiently. He didn’t stand up for Himself. He stood up for the people. He stood against the Pharisees. He stood up for the truth they were trying to destroy. They defamed Him to try to destroy the credibility of that truth.

1Pe.2:23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, threatened not; but committed [himself] to him that judgeth righteously. That’s suffering that was not wasted. Suffering that’s wasted is when you get in the flesh in the midst of it, because then it will just come around again. Jesus didn’t waste suffering; all of it was useful. We want all the suffering that we’ve been going through now, and all the suffering that we will go through, to be useful and to have the right effect in our lives.

Please stop and think. Php.2:5 Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. When you’re suffering in the flesh, you’re ceasing from sin. 1Jn.1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. You get a cleansing either way. If you’re humble enough to confess your sins, He is faithful enough to cleanse you of all unrighteousness, which is causing the sin. So have faith that you’re going to get your cleansing. You cannot waste suffering in depression and self-pity if you’re rejoicing. You can’t do both at the same time, and that’s why He commands you to rejoice in the midst of suffering. If you realize what suffering is for, then you can give God thanks because it is for your perfecting.

Even Jesus became perfect through the things that He suffered. 1Jn.3:16 Hereby know we love (agape), because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. Now this speaks of laying down our old life, which is the lusts of the flesh, anger, rebellion, retaliation etc. Agape lays down the flesh life; agape is the opposite of the flesh life. We become perfect, which is obeying the Word and learning to agape, through suffering. Agape comes from the inner nature of the spiritual man, and it is conquering the carnal man; it is giving up your life according to 1 John 3:16. Suffering brings about this agape love, which is the nature and way of God’s Kingdom. Since that is God and what we are looking for is godliness, then we can’t help but be, as an end result, agape.

This love is nothing less than obedience. Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” It’s not mushy feelings; it’s just obedience. When Paul described agape to you in 1 Corinthians 13, he said that it’s more important than speaking in tongues, more important than knowledge, more important than faith. In fact, he said that if you had these things but didn’t have love, you were nothing. The end result of everything that God wants to do in you is agape. 1Co.13:13 But now abideth faith, hope, love, these three: and the greatest of these is love. Notice, the thing that is going to get you into God’s Kingdom is love because the King is Love.

Paul taught that you can make the greatest sacrifice, but if you don’t have love, there is no profit. 3 And if I bestow all my goods to feed [the poor,] and if I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profiteth me nothing. Paul says that “love suffereth long.” How do you get longsuffering? You get longsuffering by patiently going through a lot of suffering with people and circumstances; otherwise, you won’t get it. 1Co.13:4 Love suffereth long, [and] is kind; love envieth not (because self is the opposite of agape); love vaunteth not itself (so it is not self-centered or egotistical), is not puffed up, 5 doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not its own, is not provoked …

Do you know how not to get provoked? You can get hardened to being provoked by having an opportunity over and over again to be provoked and resisting it. You suffer with it for so long that you give up. By this repetitive thing that comes against us, we can become hardened to our bad reaction to it. All we have to do is desire to please the Lord and see Jesus in the mirror because He exchanged His life for yours, and you will overcome. It is not always overnight like you want, but eventually, if you desire to please the Lord in suffering, you will, because suffering has that kind of work in you. That’s why nobody is going to escape suffering.

I know people may still have questions about their suffering, but it is necessary, and our actions can determine how and when they end. Suffering is also for the purpose of bringing an end of sin so we can live to the Will of God. 1Pe.4:1 Forasmuch then as Christ suffered in the flesh, arm ye yourselves also with the same mind; for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; 2 that ye no longer should live the rest of your time in flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. Suffering “in the flesh” here is not necessarily in your body but in the carnal nature, the old man. We are partakers of Christ’s sufferings to be proven and to manifest His glory.

Verse 13 but insomuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, rejoice; that at the revelation of his glory (in you) also ye may rejoice with exceeding joy. Christ’s sufferings brought Him to obedience and perfection, and they will bring us there, also. Heb.5:8 Though he was a Son, yet learned obedience by the things which he suffered; 9 and having been made perfect, he became unto all them that obey him the author of eternal salvation.

Suffering comes so that our Creator may finish His new creation work in each of us. 1Pe.4:19 Wherefore let them also that suffer according to the will of God commit their souls in well-doing unto a faithful Creator. What well-doing must we obey when suffering? “Resist not him that is evil”, “Love your enemies”, “turn the other cheek”, “do good to those who despitefully use you”, “bless and curse not”, “forgive”. We must cooperate with God in this process by committing our souls to Him. We will suffer in order to be perfected, established, and strengthened. 1Pe.5:10 And the God of all grace, who called you unto his eternal glory in Christ, after that ye have suffered a little while, shall himself perfect, establish, strengthen you. Notice suffering has an end.

Walking by faith and patience in suffering will cause us to be counted worthy. Also, we need to keep in mind that this suffering is only a token of what we deserve. 2Th.1:4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions which ye endure; 5 [which is] a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God; to the end that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer.

Scripture tells us that all of God’s true children will suffer chastening. What is chastening? Chastening is suffering evils and calamities to reveal sin and motivate us to fear and serve God. It manifests the fruit of righteousness and causes us to be partakers of holiness. Suffering is necessary if we want to come into sonship. Heb.12:5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which reasoneth with you as with sons, My son, regard not lightly the chastening of the Lord, Nor faint when thou art reproved of him; 6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, And scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7 It is for chastening that ye endure; God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is there whom [his] father chasteneth not?

8 But if ye are without chastening, whereof all have been made partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. 9 Furthermore, we had the fathers of our flesh to chasten us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? 10 For they indeed for a few days chastened [us] as seemed good to them; but he for [our] profit, that [we] may be partakers of his holiness. 11 All chastening seemeth for the present to be not joyous but grievous; yet afterward it yieldeth peaceable fruit unto them that have been exercised thereby, [even the fruit] of righteousness.

Now, our attitude toward physical suffering should be that Jesus bore our curse on Himself and therefore we are delivered. Gal.3:13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: 14 that upon the Gentiles might come the blessing of Abraham in Christ Jesus … The curse here covers all of the curse of the Law mentioned in Deuteronomy 28, which is everything detrimental that came upon man for his sins. If a person in the midst of chastening does not believe that Jesus took away the curse, he will not be delivered in many cases but, instead, suffers from an evil heart of unbelief. Our flesh goes through suffering as we endure to the end of the trial of faith, to see the manifestation of the healing or deliverance we are believing for. Ultimately, this is the salvation of our souls and bearing forth the fruit of Christ Jesus. So we endure to the end of our trials and let God work in us for His good will and good pleasure. Amen.

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