To Live is Christ
So, it seems like as of late suffering has been a common topic in my life. Not that I myself have been suffering, on the contrary, I’ve been enjoying seeing God’s constant care and provision. But at church we’ve been going through 1 Peter on Sundays, which is a book certainly written to people who were suffering, and who would soon be suffering even more. We’ve also been working through James in a Bible study. Plus I’ve been reading a book by a man with was very active in the Romanian church during the Communist times. It is interested to hear his perspective on suffering for Christ’s stake, and remembering that our life is no longer our own, but God’s. It is also vital to learn to worship God under any circumstances. So I don’t have a whole lot to say and my thoughts are a bit scattered, but I just wanted to share some verses that have been in my head a lot as of late.
“In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls. As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries, seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow.”
1 Peter 1:7-11
“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
James 1:2-4
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”
Romans 8:18
“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain”
Philipians 1:21
“Though the fig tree should not blossom
And there be no fruit on the vines,
Though the yield of the olive should fail
And the fields produce no food,
Though the flock should be cut off from the fold
And there be no cattle in the stalls,
Yet I will exult in the LORD,
I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.
The Lord GOD is my strength,
And He has made my feet like hinds’ feet,
And makes me walk on my high places.”
Habakkuk 3:17-19