The Often Unclaimed Promise: Philippians 1:29-30
“29) For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, 30) experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.” Philippians 1:29-30
These are two of the least understood and acclaimed verses in the New Testament. It has been granted us for Christs sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake. The early believers counted suffering for Jesus an honor and a privilege.
This concept is exemplified in Acts 5:17-42. After the apostles were arrested by the Council, then subsequently delivered by an angel of the Lord during the night, only to be brought back into custody the next day. Then they were threatened and commanded not to preach or teach again in the name of Jesus.
They not only stood their ground, but told the Council they would obey God rather than men. (Vs 29-32) After some brief words by Gamaliel, the apostles were called back in before the Council and were flogged in public and then ordered to preach no more in the name of Jesus. Look at their response.
Acts 5:41-42 says; “41) So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name. 42) And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.”
Notice, they went on their way “rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name.” This captures the substance of Philippians 1:29-30. They punctuated their love and devotion for Jesus by being willing to suffer for Him!
In Galatians 6:17 Paul wrote; “From now on let no one cause trouble for me, for I bear on my body the brand-marks of Jesus.” His body was scared from head to foot from the beatings, stoning and abuse he endured for the sake of the gospel. They were a testimony of his love and devotion for Jesus.
Western Christians get their feelings hurt and walk away from Jesus and the church for the smallest reasons. You don’t earn respect and trust in the underground church in China until you’ve suffered at least one or two prison terms for the sake of Jesus and the gospel.
In both the early church and the modern underground church, trust was and is important. Lives are at stake. Traitors are everywhere. In verse 30, Paul was saying; “if you need proof of my love and devotion for Jesus, start counting the scars I have joyfully earned for Jesus and the cause of the gospel.”
As the end times unfold, a willingness to suffer for Jesus and other believers will become the true validation of conversion. Remaining faithful through suffering for the gospel is the refining furnace of true faith.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
“29) For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, 30) experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.” Philippians 1:29-30
These are two of the least understood and acclaimed verses in the New Testament. It has been granted us for Christs sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake. The early believers counted suffering for Jesus an honor and a privilege.
This concept is exemplified in Acts 5:17-42. After the apostles were arrested by the Council, then subsequently delivered by an angel of the Lord during the night, only to be brought back into custody the next day. Then they were threatened and commanded not to preach or teach again in the name of Jesus.
They not only stood their ground, but told the Council they would obey God rather than men. (Vs 29-32) After some brief words by Gamaliel, the apostles were called back in before the Council and were flogged in public and then ordered to preach no more in the name of Jesus. Look at their response.
Acts 5:41-42 says; “41) So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name. 42) And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.”
Notice, they went on their way “rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name.” This captures the substance of Philippians 1:29-30. They punctuated their love and devotion for Jesus by being willing to suffer for Him!
In Galatians 6:17 Paul wrote; “From now on let no one cause trouble for me, for I bear on my body the brand-marks of Jesus.” His body was scared from head to foot from the beatings, stoning and abuse he endured for the sake of the gospel. They were a testimony of his love and devotion for Jesus.
Western Christians get their feelings hurt and walk away from Jesus and the church for the smallest reasons. You don’t earn respect and trust in the underground church in China until you’ve suffered at least one or two prison terms for the sake of Jesus and the gospel.
In both the early church and the modern underground church, trust was and is important. Lives are at stake. Traitors are everywhere. In verse 30, Paul was saying; “if you need proof of my love and devotion for Jesus, start counting the scars I have joyfully earned for Jesus and the cause of the gospel.”
As the end times unfold, a willingness to suffer for Jesus and other believers will become the true validation of conversion. Remaining faithful through suffering for the gospel is the refining furnace of true faith.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone