In an article published in “FaithWorks”, the issue of persecution was addressed concerning the suffering church.  In the article a list was compiled outlining the degrees of persecution one could face for the practice of religious faith.  They were listed in this order:

1. Disapproval    2.  Ridicule       3.  Pressure to conform      4.  Loss of Educational opportunities     5.  Economic sanctions    6.  Shunning     7.   Alienation from Community      8.  Loss of employment      9.  Loss of property.      10.   Physical abuse.         11.   Mob violence     12.  Harassment by officials     13.   Kidnapping      14.   Forced labor           15.   Imprisonment     16.  Physical torture      17.  Murder or execution

          It would be difficult — given the time difference between Paul’s relationship with the church and ours — if any of those on the above list impacted him.  I can imagine by number, 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, and 16 all impacted Paul’s life.  Not that his list isn’t long enough, but we also — if we are living faithfully — can possibly face the same types of persecution which lead to our mental, emotional, and spiritual suffering.  And yet, the suffering is only redemptive if it emanates from our efforts to do what is right.  The suffering we experience only has true spiritual value if we suffer from our efforts to imitate Christ.  This type of suffering is not masochistic.  It is not suffering for suffering’s sake — because we take some great joy from suffering.  This suffering is endured because our greatest desire is to satisfy the will of our God by imitating Christ.

• Of the numbers listed in the list above, which ones have caused moments or times of suffering in your life?
• How have these times of suffering affected your faith and faithfulness to Christ?

Todays Prayer

Today’s Prayer —
Gracious Christ, help me to become more aware of the times I suffer because of my faithfulness to you. Humble me to find solace in my feeble attempts to live imitating Christ.

         I saw a person at the hospital the other day wearing a T-shirt that said, “I’m very comfortable with violence!”  Not all, but some people live with the attitude in life that they’re not going to take anything off of anybody.  They often display a hardened exterior that defies being cooperative showing a “My way or the highway” attitude.  It’s almost as if they’re more than willing and capable of inflicting harm and suffering on others.  Sometimes those attitudes are projected onto the public by officials of the state.  We’ve experienced several incidents over the past few months and weeks as ICE agents have brutally attacked peaceful protesters who were simply showing their rejection of the unjust policies of the current political administration in power.  For those who are out publicly, standing up for what they believe is right, it has become obvious that suffering for what is right, fair, and just is a part of the penalty for fighting injustice, or doing what is right in the midst of something that’s all wrong.  And yet, we were all forewarned.  When we stand up for that which is morally, spiritually, and physically abhorrent to us, we can expect that those wielding the power over such matters will retaliate in ways that cause people to suffer.  And while that kind of suffering may be considered uncomfortable for all involved, it serves a particular spiritual benefit for those who suffer for righteousness’s sake.  If when we are forced to suffer for what is right and fair and just, it is equated with the suffering that Christ endured.  We are doing what we can, imitating Christ to the best of our ability.  And I’m not sure if practice makes perfect, but it is a good faith effort forward to imitate the suffering of our Lord.

• Why do you believe some people are willing to “stand up for what is right” while others are less likely to engage in activities that might “get them in trouble”?
• To what lengths would you go to stand up for what is right even if it meant you would have to suffer for it?

Todays Prayer

Today’s Prayer —
Gracious Christ, grant me the courage to stand strong in the face of adversity imitating you, even if it means I have to suffer for it.

         Endurance is a much-prized attribute.  The bible even reminds us that there is something special for those who are able to endure ( Matt. 24:13; Rev. 2:10; James 1:12).  However, within the walls of that word endurance are the fierce biting fangs of suffering.  I can remember as a child the popularity of telling someone to “suffer” when they were going through life’s challenges. Telling someone to suffer meant that we either didn’t care about their suffering or felt they deserved whatever evil had come their way.  However, there is a spiritual type of suffering that comes upon someone who is doing the right thing, however unpopular it is.  They aren’t necessarily looking to enter the camp of suffering.  It’s just that their righteous actions are running up against an evil present in their world or culture.  They aren’t looking to become martyrs, their just looking to do the right thing for the right reasons.

         It’s somehow very odd that we only associate the miracles and powerful ministries of mercy and healing done among the people as a way to imitate Christ but never consider suffering as a part of that equation.  And yet it is clear that suffering — as uncomfortable and painful as it might seem to be — is never quite picked up by the radar of those of us who call ourselves Christian.  And at the same time suffering for righteousness sake is one of the primary ways our lives merge in similarity to that of Christ’s.  So,— for those of us who claim to be “slaves, servants, disciples, ministers, and/or ambassadors,” of Jesus Christ — suffering becomes the one human ordeal that most allows us to imitate Jesus in the fullness of who Jesus Christ is.  It was he who suffered and died (bore our sins) that we might live for righteous situations, even if it means we have to suffer because of them.  In this way and in this life, imitating Jesus is truly the highest form of praise.  After all, we can never be Jesus.  We can only aspire to be like him.

• At what point on your faith journey did suffering for righteousness sake become a way for you to imitate Jesus?
• What challenges do you face when you think about suffering in the same way that Jesus suffered?

Todays Prayer

Today’s Prayer —
Loving Christ, help me to walk in the paths of righteousness so that by my life, I am imitating You. When I am called to suffer for it, strengthen me to endure so that my suffering gives glory You, the Shepherd and Guardian of my soul.