Sharing In His Sufferings

Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT in Romans chapter 8:

16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.

20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope;

21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.

23 Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.

Jesus had to suffer on the cross in order to bring forth eternal life.  We too must suffer as we put to death our flesh thus in some degree we are able to comprehend  His sufferings.  As we persevere and put to death our flesh, there is a price to pay and a challenge to overcome.  No one can do the suffering for us at an individual level for our flesh has unique characteristics which must be dealt with one by one.  Some people are naturally fearful whereas others tend to be prideful.  Many men have a “roving” eye and are seemingly never satisfied because their ego needs constant stroking.  Some women are obsessed with clothes thinking they will permanently hide their perceived flaws.  Yet others deal with lack of self-esteem because their parents failed to assure them of their worth when they were in their formative years.

FATHER Lovingly knew us before HE formed each of us in the womb.  HE equipped us for the life we were to live so let us embrace our life and nail our flesh, cravings, and notions to the cross.  Our spirit man is ever changing thus as we study The Word there will be new facets for us to discover.  You cannot read the Bible and say “one and done”.  Its relevant passages change in their applicability as we mature.  This is why FATHER will have me write on an all too familiar passage depending on what HE wants brought out for that day.  If you skim over the verses because you think you know them then you are doing yourself an injustice.

There will be suffering as we are delivered from the bondage of corruption.  It is difficult for people to let go of the familiar.  We must rely on The Holy Spirit to help us in our weaknesses for when we do not know what we should pray as we ought, the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

The children of Israel provide an example holding on to the bondage of corruption when they were suppose to enter Canaan.  FATHER had delivered them, fed them, sustained them, yet they still did not have the faith to enter in.  In Numbers chapter 14 it is written by THE SPIRIT:

1 So all the congregation lifted up their voices and cried, and the people wept that night.

2 And all the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron, and the whole congregation said to them, “If only we had died in the land of Egypt! Or if only we had died in this wilderness!

3 Why has the LORD brought us to this land to fall by the sword, that our wives and children should become victims? Would it not be better for us to return to Egypt?”

4 So they said to one another, “Let us select a leader and return to Egypt.”

They were willing to return to Egypt rather than embrace FATHER’S assurance of conquering the Promised Land.  They preferred bondage over victory; they had no faith.  We have Jesus Who paved the way to glorification on our behalf for He is our High Priest and intercessor.  Whatever we are suffering now is not worthy to be compared with the glory being revealed in us.  Let us not hinder His glory coming forth.  Let not the suffering be our focus but look up to our Lord and Savior.  In Him is the solution to all our sufferings.  As we Love even when we don’t feel like it, our sufferings leave our focus and become less relevant to our lives.

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