1 Pet. 2:20-21 “For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.”
A few years ago I walked into my Executive Pastor Greg’s office and asked him “How do I follow the example of Christ sufferings? It seems wrong to go searching for suffering just so I can be like Christ. How am I supposed to understand this passage.” I’ll never forget the wisdom that followed.
The Christian must always be willing to invite ourselves into the suffering of others. Since the Christian is a part of the church, by default we will be connected to the lives of other church members. So we weep with those who weep and mourn with those who mourn. Weeping with those who weep and mourning with those who mourn means we will feel the pain of those who are suffering around us. We are to suffer with those who suffer. So we can follow the example of Jesus not by going out and looking for our own suffering but by suffering well alongside our brothers and sisters. When our suffering comes, we will be grateful for our brothers and sisters come alongside of us to share in our sufferings.
So thanks Gregg Donaldson. I appreciate how God helped me through you.
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