A Heart to Suffer
Johannes emphasizes that as soldiers of Christ, believers must understand that suffering is an integral part of their spiritual journey toward kingship. Drawing from 2 Timothy, he highlights that enduring hardships and suffering for Christ’s sake is necessary to reign with Him and attain eternal glory. Johannes stresses that suffering is not a sign of failure or sin but a normal condition for those called to be kings in God's kingdom, akin to Old Testament kings who fought warfare. He cites scriptures like 1 Peter 4 and Philippians 1, illustrating that suffering is part of God's training and grace is provided to endure it. Johannes points out that even biblical heroes like David and Job endured unjust suffering, not because of their sin, but because God used them as instruments for His divine purposes. He underscores that Jesus Himself chose to suffer willingly, demonstrating that suffering is a voluntary act aligned with divine righteousness. The message is clear: believers must accept suffering as part of their calling, trusting that God's grace is sufficient and that through suffering, God's glory is revealed. Ultimately, Johannes encourages Christians to see suffering not as defeat but as a vital step in God's training for kingship, leading to greater glory and divine purpose.
Outline of Main Points
- Suffering is essential for those called to kingship in God's kingdom.
- Endurance in suffering leads to reigning with Christ and eternal glory.
- Scriptures like 2 Timothy, 1 Peter, and Philippians emphasize suffering as part of divine training.
- Biblical heroes such as David and Job endured unjust suffering to fulfill God's purpose.
- Jesus voluntarily chose to suffer, setting an example for believers.
- Suffering is not punishment but a necessary process for spiritual growth and kingship.
- God provides grace to endure suffering, and it should be accepted joyfully as part of God's plan.
- Believers must be willing instruments, allowing God to use them through suffering for divine purposes.
3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel: 9 Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound. 10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. 11 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:
12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: 16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.
