“Suffer” is a word that describes the effect of undergoing an experience that primarily is a result of hardships, pain, persecution, or affliction. However, the root sense of the word involves receiving an impression from without rather than actively doing something.
Scripture prophesied of the physical suffering of Christ at the hands of the chief priests, elders, and scribes (Luke 24:46). Jesus did not threaten those who reviled Him; instead, He committed Himself to the One who judges righteously (1 Peter 2:23). Through Christ’s suffering, He sanctified the people with His own blood (Hebrews 13:12).
For a Christian, suffering for Christ’s name is an aspect of God’s grace given to him (Philippians 1:29). Those of the Church will suffer persecution because they do not desire to run with the unsaved in their debauchery (1 Peter 4:3–4). Since we will suffer, let it be for doing good. For it is a thing of grace to suffer wrongfully because of our conscience towards God (1 Peter 2:19). The grace believer has been called to suffer, as Christ left us an example (1 Peter 2:21). The one who suffers for the sake of righteousness is happy (1 Peter 3:14).
Christ suffered for us in the flesh; therefore, we are to equip ourselves with the same intent. The one who suffers in flesh ceases from sin (1 Peter 4:1). We suffer because we are righteous in Christ. Our flesh has been crucified with Christ. This allows us to walk in newness of life (Galatians 5:24). We are not suffering to become a better Christian. When we suffer for doing good, it is a manifestation of the righteousness we have in Christ. We seek to do the will of God over the strong desires from the flesh (1 Peter 4:2).
With this in mind, let our intent be to do God’s desirous will. We should no longer walk according to the flesh and the strong desires of the unsaved, even if it means we suffer. The one who even desires to live a godly life in this world of darkness will be persecuted (2 Timothy 3:12). However, the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared to the glory that will be revealed (Romans 8:18). We belong to God. Let us rejoice in our suffering so that we are not found having our own righteousness, but that which is through faith in Christ.
This is the righteousness out from God on the basis of faith (Philippians 3:9). Through partaking of His righteousness, we may know the inherent ability of His resurrection and the fellowship of His suffering. As we are conformed to His death, we may attain to the resurrection in every aspect of our lives (Philippians 3:10).
