Suffering for Christ
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
Romans 8:18
Throughout the world Satan is turning people against Christians with his lies and deceptions. Many Christians today are living in the threat of persecution, imprisonment, and physical death. However, we are all spiritual people; our soul is our thoughts, personality, and will, and the body without the spirit is dead. As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. (James 2:26) Life is in our soul and we live forever, and when we take our last breath, we are still alive because our spirit lives forever. Through Faith we will live serving Christ with his power to our last breath.
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. (Matthew 10:28) The world can kill our body but cannot kill us, because life is in our spirit. Satan wants us to deny Christ because that will destroy our eternal soul. When live for Christ to our last breath, Satan knows he has lost. Satan’s goal is to persecute Christians and put fear in us, so we will deny Christ.
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. (1 John 4:4) If we depend on the Lord to give us strength to endure whatever Satan places in our path, we will overcome Satan with victory in Christ. We know the Lord will give us strength to endure, because many Christians have died for Christ to their last breath.
The apostle Paul stated: For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:21) This should be the attitude of all Christians, to die is gain, we go home to be with the Father and the Son. When we suffer for Christ or persecuted, we seek to be closer to the Lord and our desire is to leave this sinful world and be with the Father and the Son. Christ suffered and died on the cross for our sins, and we suffer for Christ to show our love and thankfulness, and show much we depend on his power and strength.
Today live for Christ and know Heaven is your home. If any suffering for Christ exists, remember the glory you will receive in Heaven. Know the Lord will give you strength to endure anything that occurs on earth.
Prayer: Lord guide me in the Spirit to bring Truth to combat Satan’s lies. Keep me faithful to my last breath, serving Christ. Amen