Suffering In The Flesh

Suffering of the Flesh

Once the apostle Paul understood the power of suffering in the flesh, he was eager to agree with the course of his life. He knew that suffering would empower him to reach the lost, keep the faith and glorify God. Therefore, he gladly embraced suffering.

2 Corinthians 12:10

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

What We as Saints Must Suffer

At some point in our walk with God, we all must suffer some things in the lists above if we will walk in the Spirit. Remember, walking in the Spirit is to be without sin. Well, the apostle Peter made this very clear in his teaching on suffering.

1 Peter 4:1

Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;

Here it is easy to see that Christ had a mind to suffer in the flesh. Though Peter insists on us having the same mind, he implies this mind to suffer is a weapon in that he says for us to “arm ourselves likewise.” The scriptures refer to satan as a roaring lion, whom we are told to resist steadfastly in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in our brethren who also are yet in the world. However, the God of all grace, who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that you have suffered a while, shall make you perfect, established, strengthened and settled in the faith (I Peter 5:9-10). The only resistance to satan’s intent in the trials we face is the mind of Christ. If we are thoroughly baptized in His mind, then suffering in the flesh is anticipation rather than an offense.

1 Peter 4:2-5

2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

3 For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:

4 Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:

5 Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.

These verses clearly equate suffering in the flesh with abstaining from sin. This is the beginning of suffering in the flesh. It is the willingness of the individual to deny himself the pleasures of this world. If you are not willing to live in this manner, then you surely will not progress to die for the faith, as many before us have already done. Our Lord has declared that none can be His disciples, except they are willing to deny themselves.

1Peter 4:6

For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

The preaching of the gospel condemned sin in the lives of all who heard it. But it also gave them the right and ability to embrace it and live unto God by the infilling of the Spirit. Some rejected it (the dead) but some truly received it. God will judge both. If we, who have been quickened by the gospel, dare to walk contrary to it, then we too will receive the condemnation of the dead.

2 Peter 4:7

But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.

We have come to the “beginning of sorrows.” The words of Jesus are being fulfilled daily. For many shall come in my name saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows (St. Matthew 24:5-8).

A further breakdown of the prophetic words of our Lord will be discussed in a later chapter, but for now it will suffice us to know what is to be our response to the times we live in. The Lord has given us the chronological order of events and instruction.

• Wars

• Famines

• Pestilences

• Earthquakes

• These things must come to pass

• See that you be not troubled

• The end is not yet

• All these are the beginning of sorrows

If we believe the word of the Lord, then our hearts will not faint regarding the events taking place in the world today. Our Master foretold all these things. Peter is also faithful to instruct us regarding the disposition of the church in these times.

1 Peter 4:8-11

8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging.

10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Beloved, the Lord indeed would not have us ignorant or perplexed as to what we are to do in these times of world turbulence. We are not to be troubled. Instead, it is a time of intense ministry. The harvest is ripe. Many are looking for answers to their dilemmas. The Lord has brought down the gods of mammon. The world can no longer trust in the economy. Now it will seek out that which it never sought before. The Lord will raise up a people who will obey and become a light in the midst of these dim and gloomy days. The preceding verses instruct us in the will of our Master.

We are to:

1. Have fervent love for one another

2. Be kind and giving

3. Have no malice, guile or iniquity among us

4. Whatever gifts we receive of God, minister it to the Body of Christ

5. Be good stewards of the grace of God

6. Speak the truth: say that which God has said

7. Minister in and by the Spirit

8. Glorify God in all things

These are the days wherein the church of the living God will come to the forefront and overshadow all that is called Christian and what is not. Those who do not bend the knee to Baal will be identified. The fullness of the stature of the man Jesus will stand and not be intimidated by the suffering or persecution.

1 Peter 4:12-14

12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

I am so excited, for here is the witness to what Paul experienced when he dared to proclaim: Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong ( 2 Corinthians 12:9-10). This was not just for Paul. Peter declares that the Spirit of God will rest upon our flesh if you are reproached for the name of Christ. This is the anointing. It is our power to endure every trial. It is the anointing that gives us the ability and emotions of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. It will rest upon us in infirmities, necessities, persecutions and distresses. It is the Comforter of the flesh, as well as the inner man. It is the reason saints of old were able to endure the horrors of their times and it is the reason we will endure the horror of our time.

Oh, my God! You must believe this! If not, you will never experience it and consequently you will always be offended by the things you must suffer in this faith.

1 Peter 4:15-19

15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.

16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

You must come to terms with the fact that it is the will of God for the church to suffer these things we have discussed. Agree with God and you will find peace in situations and circumstances that you never thought you could find. God’s Word is true. He cannot lie. Trust what He has said and I promise you will never be the same.