Suffering: The Mind Of Christ

The Lord instructed me to give a simple definition of perfection, (which is walking in the Spirit), every time I ministered on the subject. He said, walking in the Spirit or walking in perfection simply means one chooses to obey all the time and in all things. Nevertheless, there are many in churches, living rooms, offices, community centers and all sorts of gathering places who have heard this truth, but have become frustrated in their endeavor to get from walking after the flesh to walking after the Spirit, on a daily consistent basis. In teaching the doctrine of perfection, I have often used the scenario of a husband coming home to find his adulterous wife in bed with another man. The teaching then challenges the audience by suggesting that in such a situation, one must be able to minister the Lord Jesus Christ to the offenders. It suggests that though the pain of the flesh is real (seeing as how marriage is an institution of the flesh), the power of the Spirit and purpose outweigh its effect on the sons of God. This principle can easily be seen in the lives of the apostles.

St. Matthew 24:9

Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.

They were all told that persecution and death would be the reward for their obedience and submission to the call in their lives. Jesus told Peter that he would die the death of crucifixion. However, that knowledge did not sway Peter. I know that suffering is not a popular subject in the Body of Christ. However, it is the focal point of our salvation. If we give any consideration at all to the teachings of Christ, we will discover suffering to be one of the very first messages He ministered to the multitudes. How is it that these men were able to stare torture, mental cruelty and death in the face, but continue to love and seek to save those by whom such was inflicted upon them? Listen carefully to the teaching and instructions Jesus renders here.

St. Matthew 28:19

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

However, with the same fervency, he says,

St. Matthew 24:9

Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.

This is not the commandment that can be given to ordinary human beings. It would take the love of God for someone to obey from the heart such a thing. Once again, suffering is the focal point of our salvation and our ministry. I have not forgotten that my purpose here is to reveal the path from carnality to perfection. Believe me it is at the forefront of my thoughts. However, if you are going to comprehend the power of suffering, you must first understand that the measure of Christ, which all in the Body of Christ have received, is willing to suffer all things that the Father might be glorified in the sons of God. Your body belongs to Christ. He has paid for it with His blood.

Once again, the Christ in you is ready to be offered up in your body. He is willing to suffer afflictions, reproaches and even death. This is the mind of the Spirit within you. You can never glorify the Father until you agree with the Spirit. You must be willing to suffer and die for the faith you preach, teach and testify of each day. If this is not the case, then the reproaches of this world will offend you to the point of turning from the true essence of the faith. You will seek to follow from afar, which is not following at all. Offenses will come to all who bear the name of Christ. Suffering is the focal point of our salvation and our ministry.

We boast in the fact we believe on Jesus. However, do we believe on Him as the scripture has said? Consider Paul’s letter to the Philippians.

Philippians 1:29

For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;

This simply means we are to suffer for the good benefit and purpose of Christ. His cause is our motive and objective. Therefore, it is given to us to be Christ’s representative even in suffering. Peter confirms this truth in his letter to the saints who were scattered throughout Asia.

I Peter 2:18

Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.

We are instructed to be humble and in submission to those who have authority over us. This can be the boss on your job, or a parent, husband or leader. Our spiritual disposition is not determined by the disposition of others. Whether good or bad, we are to maintain our testimony of righteousness.

I Peter 2:19

For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.

The key word here is endure. It means to bear hardship or pain without giving up; to tolerate disagreeable people, things or situations; to survive righteously.

I Peter 2:20-23

20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.

21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:

If you do well, live a sinless life, are a good wife or husband and your reward is cruelty or infidelity, take it patiently and endure the pain or grief. This is acceptable unto God. However, not only is it acceptable, but hereunto were ye called. As Paul said to the Philippians, we are called to suffer for Christ’s sake. This truth ought to change your perspective of suffering for Christ's sake. This attitude allows the Father to be glorified in you. But even now, I can hear the doubts of your heart. You say, “But how will I ever be able to do this? I always fail and fall short of the sentiments of Christ in such cases. Neither am I able to overcome or push past the pain or hurt at the time of offense which renders me unable to minister the love of Christ.”

The Great Consolation

I hope you will believe the Word God is about to speak. If so, you will enter into God’s rest and be relieved of the struggle to overcome offenses.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;

4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

You must believe that this verse is just as powerful and true as John 3:16. The Father comforts us in all our tribulation. He will give us relief from anxiety and physical and emotional pain. Does that mean you will not feel the lash of the whip across your back? No. But what it does mean is that God is able to provide comfort or relief in the midst of torment that is powerful enough to allow us to endure, bear, tolerate and forgive. That is the power of the Holy Ghost. He is a comforter in times of trouble. If you are asking, “Why don’t I feel this comfort when I go through my tribulation?” It is because you have not entered into the trial with a righteous disposition. Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

These are the steps that lead to the consolation of the Spirit. Oftentimes we want the benefits of the Spirit without maintaining the fellowship required to receive such benefits. The promise of entering into God’s rest is accomplished when we live and walk within the boundaries of the faith. This promise is not effectual in the lives of those who vacillate in and out of righteousness. In essence, such conduct is a life of sin. But let us continue with the word God is giving on this subject.

Steps Leading to the Consolation of the Spirit

2 Corinthians 1:5

For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.

The more one is afflicted by the sufferings of Christ, the more the consolation of the Holy Ghost abounds. You must believe this or you will never know the true power of the Spirit. Note also that the sufferings in the flesh must be for Christ’s sake. The unction of the Spirit is not the same when one suffers as an evildoer.

2 Corinthians 1:6

And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.

Here is our key word again, enduring. The consolation of God is effectual in enabling us to endure the same sufferings the apostles suffered. Well so much for the argument that the apostles were unique in their anointing and suffered things we will not have to suffer. Quite the contrary is true. Many of us will suffer in very much the same manner as the disciples of old. Nevertheless, those who suffer for righteousness will be empowered by the Holy Ghost to endure hardness, persecutions and death.

2 Corinthians 1:7

And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.

Paul was the perfect one to teach this lesson, for he suffered more than all the apostles. In the midst of it, however, several times he called on the Father to take away the constant attacks that caused hindrances to the preaching of the gospel. However, the Lord’s response settled the issue in him forever. “My grace is sufficient, for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” Suddenly, Paul understood that the weakness of his flesh provoked the power of the Spirit.

2 Corinthians 12:9

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

The power of the Holy Ghost literally rests on the flesh when it is in the midst of adversity for Christ’s sake. This is the anointing. The fleshy body is anointed to endure hardship, persecution and pain. Likewise, the soul is comforted by the power of the Spirit. This is the great consolation. It is the power to suffer without guile or offense. It is the great peace that passes all understanding.

2 Corinthians 1:8-11

8 For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:

9 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:

10 Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;

11 Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.

I want to zero in on the statement, “But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God.” The preacher acknowledges the fact that during the Asian Campaign, there were times when they were certain that they would be put to death. However, they were dead to the consequences that would be put upon the flesh, due to the preaching of the gospel. They did not trust in their own thoughts or ability to survey the situation. They trusted in the Father and His will for their lives. If it was His good pleasure to deliver them, then so be it. But if not, then likewise, so be it. Prayer was being offered up for Paul and his company while they were in Asia. It was a help to them in that they were indeed able to endure a great fight of afflictions, wherein many others were able to praise and give thanks to God for their obedience to the gift bestowed upon them.

Saints pray for me that I will always be true to my gift and continue to be a blessing to the people of God.