Borrowed Truths

Expect Pain

expect pain
Picture of Borrowed Truths

Expect Pain

“For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.” (Acts 9:16)

The general consensus among many who have been born-again is the wrong one I believe, that because Paul persecuted the church he had to be punished for those actions, that he himself needed to be persecuted, hunted down, whipped and cast into prison, that he had to pay the price for what he had done. I do not believe this, for our sins are cast away from the sight of the Lord as far as the east is from the west, I believe that Paul was used just as the Scriptures say that all men of God were used in the Scriptures, as an example for us, an example that all who follow the Lord Jesus Christ will fulfill 2 Timothy 3:12, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”

But it is not the way of mankind to think this way, for any deed done, whether it be good or bad, deserves it’s just reward. “If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door.” (Gen. 4:7)

It was the foundation of the law of God given to Moses and it is the construct of the law of mankind, good deeds deserve rewards, bad deed deserve punishment.

But we are under grace, not the law, the debt that we owed has been paid, and that means that when Paul committed those crimes and atrocities against the body of Christ after he repented and became born-again, those sins were forgiven. All those great things that Paul suffered after his name was changed from Saul to Paul were not because of past sins, but because he loved the Lord Jesus Christ, obeyed His commandments, and sought to bring the knowledge of salvation through faith in His name to many.

He was used as an example for us, for those who would do the same. “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.” (John 15:18)

That word hates does not just mean “to like less,” it means you will be ostracized from your family and friends, it means that many will try to kill you. If you want to serve the Lord, you must be willing to suffer in whatever way He decides. Physically, mentally, with reproaches, with hatred, pain and turmoil, any and all things that the Lord allows into your life must be accepted as good, for the truth of Romans 8:28 stands firm, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

Can He heal you from the pain? Yes, of course. Will He? Probably not, if physical pain and infirmities were healed, were removed by the Lord upon all His children on a regular basis, no amount of effort by the world’s media sites would be able to hide it from humanity, and as in the days that our Lord walked the earth, many would follow Him only for that reason, hospitals would be unnecessary for His children.

How many times have you witnessed of the Lord to someone and told them to expect suffering, sorrow, grief and pain, if they will come to Him? That is what the Scriptures say, isn’t it? No, most generally they hear that He will ease that pain, take away the sorrow and grief, that the suffering will end if they will just fall on their knees and call Him Lord and Master.

We have greatly erred my friends.

I have heard and read from men much wiser than myself who have said that if you are not suffering, you are probably not saved, and I agree with them. Why should you expect less? If He spared not His own Son, why should He spare you?

Love is not hindered by pain, it does not cease in suffering, grief holds no sway over it, persecutions are to be expected. That is what it costs to follow the Lord Jesus Christ, the Scriptures are quite clear in this area.

Share this post

Search

Archives

Categories:

There are several items I would ask you to consider before you click on the Donate button.

1.    Please pray carefully about donating; “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” (2nd Cor. 9:7)

2.    Your first responsibility is to the Lord; “Honor the LORD with thy substance, and with the first fruits of all thine increase”: (Prov. 3:9)

3.    You must consider your family after your first responsibility; “But if any provide not for his own, and especially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.” (1st Tim. 5:8)

4.    If you determine that you have been blessed by this ministry and decide to donate, please know this, your donations will be accepted with great thanks, and all the glory will go to God.