The Privilege of Suffering for Christ – Philippians 1:29
Who likes to suffer? No one! But we have been given the privilege of suffering for Christ. Rather than complain about it, we should rejoice in it.
Encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory. (1 Thess. 2:12 NIV)
Studies from Paul’s letter to the Philippian church
Who likes to suffer? No one! But we have been given the privilege of suffering for Christ. Rather than complain about it, we should rejoice in it.
How do you work out your salvation? With fear and trembling. Recognize that God is at work in you to accomplish his purpose. Work with him.
How do you respond to the challenging circumstance that you might find yourself in? Paul tells us that God can use us even then.
I have been a believer for 50 years now. God has brought many fellow believers into my life. And I thank God for each of you.
As believers we should follow Paul’s example. Forgetting our past failures and successes, and looking forward to what lies ahead.
Please be patient, God is not finished with me yet. I am a work in progress. Not by my own efforts. But by the one who knows me best.
How many of us look forward to our physical death? I suspect not many. But, as Paul said, to die is gain. Because then we are with our Lord.
It is sad that many who call themselves Christians actually live as enemies of the cross of Christ, failing to honor him with their lives.
This early hymn is one of exaltation for Jesus, one who was fully God, who became fully man, and who died as a sacrifice for our sin.