Enduring For A Greater Cause

For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

- 1 Peter 2:20-25, NKJV

What a beautiful revelation it is to see who you are in Christ through the example of His ministry. From start to finish Jesus’ ministry was (and still is) defined by humble service. It is in this submissiveness to the Father’s will that you often find yourself at a crossroad of selflessness and selfishness…one (selflessness) is wrapped in the covering of God’s precious promises and love, while the other (selfishness) is littered with the stain of sin. While both have everlasting payouts, only the former can keep you in step with the will of God. If you are truly going to move beyond simply “wearing” the name of Christ and actually “bear” it, then you must move beyond carnality and embrace His Spirit - Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works. “Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom” (Matthew 16:24-28, NKJV). Now understand denial for God’s call results in turmoil and struggle…the very people and things that once uplifted you and exalted you will now despise you and attempt to thwart you. However, the glory of the Lord is upon you through the inward filling of His Spirit; resulting in the outward manifestation of His grace and mercy through your words and actions - For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence. But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption — that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:26-31, NKJV). Unfortunately far too many Christians remain stuck at this crossroad of selflessness and selfishness…continuing to lean towards self, believing that the suffering across the road is far too great for them to endure and never worth the cost. However, it is at the intersection that you encounter the glory of the Lord and you receive a glimpse of who you are in Christ by faith…believing that you, like Jesus, are enduring for a greater cause - For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God (1 Corinthians 1:18, NKJV). Choose the path of righteousness and return to the fold of your Heavenly Father…know that regardless of your assignment, you are enduring for a greater cause - In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls. Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow (1 Peter 1:6-11, NKJV).

BE BLESSED!