Fellowship Of His Suferring

The salvation of the church is a great mystery, which can only be revealed by God. But inside that mystery is the suffering of the people of God. Therefore, the big question, “Why do Saints suffer?”, must be answered. The people of God must get to a place where suffering is not an offense to them. In the Old Covenant, David prophesied; Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them (Psalm 119:165). This simply means that no commandment of the Lord would be offensive to the children of God. Well, beloved, suffering is a commandment. Suffering is a commandment given to us by God. Our patience and faith in the midst of trials and persecutions are tokens of righteousness that must be rendered in order for us to be counted worthy of the Kingdom.

This is the judgment of God. It is His will and pleasure that we be made partakers of the suffering of Christ. Let us not forget that Christ in us is a Comforter. It is because of His presence in the flesh that we are able to hold on to our peace and forgive our offenders. This is necessary if we are to be found in the faith.

Philippians 3:9-10

9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.

Here again, we see that the righteousness of God can only be obtained through the faith of Christ; and it includes the fellowship of His sufferings. The word Paul uses here is conformable; it means to be made like unto something else. He is describing the fact that he lives a life that manifests the death of the old man in Christ, which is now resurrected by the Spirit of Christ, unto righteousness and the power of holiness. He acknowledges that he is now a partaker of the sufferings of Christ in his flesh. So now we come to another obvious question; “What is the fellowship of Christ sufferings?” Let me just go to the bottom line here. The Lord prayed and asked the Father to make us one with Him and the Father. Therefore, we are in Christ and Christ is in us. This means that we are no longer in the flesh, regarding the position of our soul; but we have been placed in the Spirit, the Holy Ghost. But the Holy Ghost, which is the Spirit of Christ, lives in our flesh. Because Christ lives in our flesh, the body has become a new man. That new man is willing to suffer to do the will of God on the earth. The truth is, most theologians and saints alike seem to completely ignore the fact that Jesus is alive and well, living in their natural bodies. But consider the following.

Galatians 2:20

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Now if the church truly believed that Christ lives inside the natural body of every saint, then it would be possible to easily understand the proceeding scriptures:

Luke 14:26-30

6 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. 27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? 29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, 30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. Thus, Jesus counts up the cost of building such a house for the Father to dwell within; a holy habitation, a Temple of the Holy Ghost.

The world will and does hate Jesus Christ. Therefore, it will and does hate those who are followers of the Lord. A man’s enemies quite often will be those of his own household. Only those who are willing to suffer offense, abuse and even death, are able to build the house of God.

Philippians 1:27

Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

I truly hope that when we are done with this lesson you will embrace the concept of suffering as the Father intended for us to do so. In the above passage, Paul is setting us up for a realization of the truths we have already learned. He utters that we should stand in one spirit and with one mind. Could it be that he is revealing the practicality of being one with God and Christ. After all, Jesus did say, “Make them one, as we are one.” It is important that we not forget this operation of God in the redemption plan. Our soul has been joined to Christ. Therefore, our life is hidden with Christ in God. Remember, we are no longer in the flesh, but in the Spirit. It is the Holy Ghost (who is the personage of Christ), who lives in our flesh. He is the new man, whom Paul declares we have put on.

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus(Philippians 2:5): As I was writing this, I heard the Lord say, “There is something that needs to be made clearer here. In times past you have merely mentioned this passage as a confirmation of the Church having the mind of Christ. This is true. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16). But this scripture is requesting far more than an acknowledgement of the indwelling mind of Christ; because it is aware that one can live in the Spirit and yet not walk in the Spirit. Paul is pointing to more than a mind, but a mindset; which is an established set of attitudes. In other words, he is about to describe a disposition of the heart or soul.

Philippians 2:6

Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

This is something we never seem to think on, simply because we don’t quite believe it. But when our soul was placed in the spirit, it was joined to the Lord. But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit

(1 Corinthians 6:17). This was the answer to the prayer Jesus prayed for us; “Father, make them one as we are one.” However, we have neglected to embrace all the ramifications of this oneness. Because we are joined to the Lord, we are able to think as He thinks. We sometimes fail to see this for what it truly is; because to do so is a matter of choice.

It is the element of choice that genders unbelief. The church does not want to believe that almighty God, Jesus, or the Holy Ghost, would make Himself totally vulnerable to our possible negative or rebellious disposition. Though He lives in us, He does not force us to serve Him, or to yield our members to righteousness. Nevertheless, when Paul uses the words, “Let this mind,” he is acknowledging the one attribute of the soul that allows us to be tried and tested, the will. The ‘will’ gives us the ability to choose to obey or to disobey God. It allows us to choose righteousness, or worldliness. Therefore, it is solely up to us as to how we are going to think or what mindset we will allow to be established in our soul. We have a choice. We can think on those things that are lovely and of a good report; or we can choose to think selfishly, which will most certainly ignite lust in our members and rebellion in our heart. Beloved, the Lord is not going to strive with us forever. It is time to accept the entire Mystery of Christ as it has been revealed to you. We are the Sons of the Most High. This union with God gives us the ability to love, act and think as He does. As Sons of God, we have the power of righteousness, which dictates that we remain equal with God in character and deeds.

Philippians 2:7-8

7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

This is the mindset a Son must walk in, if he is to please God… made himself of no reputation. You must come to terms with the fact that your body belongs to God. It is the temple of the Holy Ghost, and the abode of the Father and the Son. Continue to remind yourself that Jesus is the new man living inside you. He has a purpose and that purpose is always to glorify God. He will always do those things that please the Father.

Through preaching, teaching and the righteous display of the gospel, He is procuring more sons for His Kingdom. He is building a holy habitation for the Father to dwell in. Our responsibility is to never oppose this purpose; but instead to be a helper and co-laborer with Christ. …took upon him the form of a servant If we could only see ourselves as unprofitable servants, God would be glorified in us. But we want, and wantonness is the sin that separates us from the purpose of God. This wantonness often extends itself to self-image and to thinking more highly of ourselves than we ought.

The mind of Christ is to want nothing but to do the will of the Father. …found in fashion as a man Salvation brought the joy of holiness and the excitement of change. But one day it became very apparent that our tenure here on earth was to be carried out in these earthen bodies. Though we are instructed regarding the indwelling of Christ, if we choose to think on those things that are in the world, the memory of sin and its pleasures, it will begin to create new appetites for the things we were delivered from. But the terrible truth is, the old man is dead, crucified with Christ. Therefore if we are to sin, we must engage sin with the members (body) of Christ. We make a conscious decision to use the Lord’s body to experience the sins of the world. But to do so, brings about something we did not experience when we were in the world, condemnation.

The Holy Ghost, who is the personage of Christ, will never agree with the sins we commit in the flesh. He is grieved by our rebellious behavior. This is the condemnation we feel when sin is allowed to reign in our bodies. …he humbled himself Paul once said, “I bring my body under,” meaning he refuses to use the vessel of God to experience sin. He obeyed God, even at the expense of humiliation to the flesh. Humility must be an established attribute of a son. …became obedient unto death We are charged with obedience to do the will of God. There should be no circumstances or situations, nor relationships that hinder us from doing the will of God. This obedience must be unto death. This becomes easier when we see death as only a transition into our glorious inheritance.

These are the attributes and attitudes that must be established in us if we are to be true to the faith. This is the one mind that must be common to the Body of Christ. It is the mind of self- denial. It is the mind of a suffering servant. Note the following: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint- heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together (Romans 8:17). Consider this, If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: (2 Timothy 2:12). These verses are monumental in satisfying the Christian Faith. We are to be partakers of the inheritance of Christ if and only if we suffer with Him. Now this brings about some interesting facts that cannot be overlooked any longer by the Body of Christ. First of all, the suffering of the saint is not about you not being able to do the things you want to do, nor is it about persecutions of which you are the causative factor. Suffering is characteristic of Christ. Our suffering must be as a result of our fellowship with Him. Paul describes this as standing in that one spirit and one mind. Of course, it is the mind of Christ and/or the Spirit of Christ to which we have been joined by the operation of God. We are encouraged to be steadfast in this mind and spirit against all opposition.

Philippians 1:28

And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.

We are encouraged not to allow adversity to terrify us. The suffering of persecution is a token of our salvation; and is mandated by God. This is so in line with the teachings of our Lord to the disciples. These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world (John 16:33).

You must believe on Christ the way the Scripture has said. Jesus declares that we can have peace in suffering. Who is it that believes this? The Body of Christ can only see suffering as tormenting and full of anguish. But the Lord promises a peace, which apparently does surpass our carnal understanding. Nevertheless, this peace comes from a commitment to purpose, which is more powerful than pain. Does this mean you will not feel physical or emotional pain in times of testing? No, it does not. But it does mean that your submission to the will of God will provoke the comfort of the Holy Ghost.

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 to me is one of the most passionate verses of script; it is given to us to suffer for Christ’s sake. What does he mean, “for Christ’s sake?” Here, Paul goes directly to the bottom line. We are to suffer in consideration of Christ and in order to help Christ. Just as we did not comprehend the total meaning and implications of our bodies being the Temple of God, or the Body of Christ, neither has the Church comprehended its role or fellowship in this Mystery. The Scriptures below offer us a visual display of the fellowship of His suffering.

2 Corinthians 4:5

For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus ‘sake.

All that we do should be done in consideration of and for Jesus Christ. Some may think this to be a little extreme; however, this passage is not relative to those who are working for a Master who is distant in some far away land. It points to a disposition that is mindful of the indwelling Christ and His continuing mission here on earth.

2 Corinthians 4:6-7

6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

The authority by which we do the works of righteousness is not our own, it is explicitly God’s power. But again, He is not a distant God. He lives within us. He is the treasure we have in these earthen bodies. But this treasure is not an inanimate object that is subservient to our souls’ whims and wants. It is for us to submit to His will and purpose. It is time that we took a good look at this treasure within. It is power, according to Paul. Is it the power to move mountains? Yes. Is it the power to heal the sick and raise the dead? Yes. But more importantly, it is the power to suffer with Christ.

2 Corinthians 4:8-10

8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; 10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

It is needful that we understand the mind and heart of the Father in suffering. He prophesies that we will have much trouble, and at times bewildered. We will be persecuted and cast down, but all this is the will of the Father. Paul said to the Thessalonians…So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer (2 Thessalonians 1:4-5). There is no way to get around or escape suffering for Christ’s sake if you want to enter the Kingdom of God. The ticket into the Kingdom is suffering with Christ. This is the judgment of God. Who is it that will change it? He does not count us worthy of the Kingdom, if we are not willing to suffer for it.

2 Corinthians 4:11

For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.

The fellowship of His suffering is also the criteria for the manifestation of His life in our flesh. It is the character and love of Christ that must be manifested in persecution and tribulation. Our patience and faith in times of trouble are tokens of the righteousness of Christ manifesting itself in our mortal bodies. This is what the world sees. Without this righteousness the world will not believe in the Jesus we preach. However, we must never forget that entering into the fellowship of Christ’s suffering is a commandment from God. Paul said it best…If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: (2 Timothy 2:12).

I want to revisit this verse; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body (2 Corinthians 4:10 ). This is the testimony of Paul and the other Disciples of Christ. This is a mindset that came as a result of the knowledge of the truth. But let us not miss the principle here. They bore in their flesh the dying of the Lord. They bore the suffering in the same manner Jesus bore His cross. Knowing it to be the will of God, they did not resist reproach, persecution or strife.

2 Corinthians 4:12-15

12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you. 13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; 14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. 15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.

Now this is the true manifestation of the mind of Christ. The suffering we endure should be for the procuring of the lost. We can do this because we have the same spirit of faith as our Lord. Now Paul quotes a verse from Psalm 116, which is the testimony of Jesus after His soul was delivered from hell. (See the Psalm in the reference scriptures at the end of this chapter). In essence, He testifies that He believed God. He believed, therefore He spoke. “I will walk in the land of the Living.” The principle here is that we must exercise the same spirit of faith. We must believe that all we suffer for the Kingdom’s sake will be rewarded.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

This is our blessed hope. Believe God. You can suffer with Christ. Trust in the promises of God is what gives us strength. There is consolation in Christ. The power of holiness and obedience is stronger than the pain of any trial. We can make it, if we hold fast to our commitment to please the Father. He will not abandon us in our trials. He will give us the strength we need to endure whatever the enemy brings our way. Allow the outward man to perish. It is the soul that will enter eternity. The Lord calls it a light affliction that is only for a moment, when you compare it with the joy of eternal glory.