Participating in the Sufferings of Christ

1 Peter 4:12-19 (New International Version, ©2010)

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And,

“If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?"

So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

What are the sufferings of Christ? How can we partake of it? Why was it God's will for Him to suffer? Who is behind these sufferings?

Firstly, think of Job, the Old Testament prophet of God, who knew what suffering for God was all about.He knew God did not bring these sufferings but Satan did.Salvation is only through Christ and none other and so is eternal life. So it was a battle between Eternal Life and Eternal Death. This battle began in the Garden of Eden and now it was at the hands of Job to handle it.Satan or the Devil had been cursed by God with Eternal Death -with no return to Him. Satan who is the 'Father of unbelief' attacked Job so that he would succumb to it's unbelief. No , Job remained faithful to God till the end of the many trials of his faith in God.

James 5:10-11 (New International Version, ©2011)

Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

The partaking of these sufferings of Christ would lead to Christformation in you.The Lord Jesus Christ showed us the way.In fact,He is The Way. He suffered in the battle between Eternal Life and Eternal Death, like no one else did and emerged The Victor.There is no need for anyone to fear partaking the same sufferings of Christ because the work on the Cross is complete.We would only need to partake, that would mean, just commit your life fully to him and when the right time comes, the Glory of God will be revealed in you. The eternal Glory of God the Heavenly Father is Christformation in you. Christformation in you is the fullness of Christ formed in you. When you are filled with Him , you will be filled with the fullness of His compassion and mercy.

Satan or the Devil cannot bring life to anyone,for it can only bring death. Death itself is suffering what more, eternal death in God's Hands.

Christformation Doxa comes as a result of partaking in the sufferings of Christ our Lord.These sufferings may prune us so that we become more fruitful filled with the nature of Christ. For this we must abide in Christ. Abiding in Christ is obeying Him.
We cannot obey Him if we hate Him. We must love Him to abide in Him.We must love Him to remain in Him.Without loving and obeying Him we cannot have Christformation in us

John 15:1-10

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.

There is a lack of the Fear of the Lord..

Genesis 31:42 (New International Version, ©2010)

If the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had not been with me, you would surely have sent me away empty-handed. But God has seen my hardship and the toil of my hands, and last night he rebuked you.”

For Jacob, he had this choice to make,to fear his father in law, Laban, or the God of his father.Apparently, he had chosen to fear the Fear of Issac who is the God of Abraham. A lesson to learn from Jacob,if you fear mere man,you will not fear the Lord and if you fear the Lord you will not have the fear of man in you.Obviously, he had seen how his father had revered and feared his God above everything or everyone else on earth.Jacob referred to God as the 'One whom Isaac feared'.

This reminds me of God's prophet Daniel and the other three men of God too.

Daniel 3:4-6 (New International Version, ©2010)

Then the herald loudly proclaimed, “Nations and peoples of every language, this is what you are commanded to do: As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up.Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.”

Men in power issue threats not knowing who they are opposing.They become proud in their hearts after a while and start to forget that they are opposing the same God who put them in that place of authority.This is where the Creator God of the universe steps in and puts an end to that abuse of authority.Every human being, no matter in what position of authority they are, must fear the Lord of all authorities.

Hebrews 1:1-2 (New International Version, ©2010)

In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.

Colossians 1:15-17 (New International Version, ©2010)

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

Daniel and his friends stood firm in their faithfulness to God with their trusts in Him and this is what happens to those who oppose the same God who had placed them in power.

Daniel 7:26-27 (New International Version, ©2010)

“‘But the court will sit, and his power will be taken away and completely destroyed forever. Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of all the kingdoms under heaven will be handed over to the holy people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him.’

When you fear the Lord, it shows Christformation in you.