NO PAIN NO GAIN

1 Peter 4:12-13 (NIV) “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13-But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of CHRIST, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed.”

We may wonder why GOD allows suffering and ask what possible purpose it can serve. No one likes pain, and we’ll never get to appreciate life’s trials until GOD makes Himself known to us. Having faith in the LORD opens heaven’s response to human suffering. it is the appointed time for GOD to sift and purify his own “house” and to prepare us, His redeemed sons and daughters, for full communion with Himself. —When we encounter trials from the world because of our faith, we should treat this as “discipline” that our loving FATHER gives to his beloved sons and daughters. GOD gives us a better perspective and understanding of suffering. Though painful for what Peter calls “a little while,” this discipline yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness, we are transformed to becoming more and more like CHRIST, as those who are called and trained by the storms of life. Suffering “goes with the territory." We are not to shrink to avoid it, but bear it patiently as JESUS CHRIST did. And as JESUS committed Himself to the FATHER, our task is to “hand over/surrender our lives to our faithful Savior, knowing that after His SPIRIT has purified us, our heavenly FATHER will vindicate us just as He vindicated His Son.

2 Corinthians 4:17 “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”

In His Grace & Righteousness,

Pastor Wally