dennis j adams

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. (1 Peter 5:10 ESV)

Immediately after one receives the Lord Jesus as Savior this thought of righteousness and prosperity breaks into the life of the new believer. The newness of Christ and His Love penetrates the bitterness of the soul and creates a clean heart and right spirit. The growth of the new believer is likened to a child’s growth so the beginning stages are full of answered prayers and soft trials. However, when the maturity begins to unfold the capability of the believer is tried and through suffering. God’s Grace becomes more apparent instead of just the entrance into His Kingdom. The one thing that is never a popular subject in a Christians life is the suffering that occurs during the nurturing and life cycle of maturing into the fullness of Christ. The ability to be blinded to this is certainly not a gift but a camouflage or a mirage that the enemy of the soul sets up to deceive the believer. Without the suffering part of Christianity there will be a great chasm between the wisdom and knowledge of God and His ways. Often all that is referred to is what the Lord can do for you and how He will bless you and keep you. This is absolutely true but there is the suffering part. The patriarchs of old and the disciples who walked with Jesus all suffered for the caused of Christ. The point is really simple: The cost that Christ paid for the believer to become reconciled with God was through suffering and much grief.

When viewed with an open heart to learn about the passion and compassion that Christ displayed in His life and then the ultimatum that He stated to His disciples: And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. (Luke 9:23 ESV) Discerning the truth is a matter of hope for the soul. The literal statement portrays the believer as one who is willing to set all wants and desires aside and place self below the comforts of life. To embrace the a personal cross daily and follow the steps of Jesus Christ. His disciples did and those throughout history have that really wanted to learn of Him and know of His wisdom and understanding. Believers must go through this suffering in life to be properly established in His Kingdom and the work  thereof.

The virtues of a life in Christ are challenged by the enemy as the journey through life continues. The strengthening of character comes (Romans 5:3-4) the believer perseveres through the anguish and shortcoming that cause suffering. To name the Name of Christ Jesus may cause suffering in a life where Christianity is not respected nor tolerated. The Gospel of Jesus Christ should be spoken in power and it will establish the platform for truth in every heart. Through the suffering and praying the attends a distressful and agonized heart the Lord breaks through and begins a process of restoration and confirms His peace in the heart. The strength needed will be given by His Grace and the strength that the Lord will infuse in the Spirit will bring courage and a deep faith. To be established by the Lord in His eternal reign and utmost power entails learning to grow in Him and share in the sufferings of learning to trust and rely on His love. This all given each believer knowing that His presence is sure and His overshadowing wing will keep them through life’s journey. (Psalm 91) Having hope and standing firm on the road to destinies end, where there is a place built by Jesus for the believer to come and then the sight and knowledge of God will be clear and the journey applauded. (1 Corinthians 13:12; 2 Corinthians 3:18)

Dennis

Remember prayer moves the Hand of God.