IF WE SUFFER WITH HIM

…if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ,  if  indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. Romans  8:17





Our suffering is not necessarily persecution or even martyrdom, although they do and will most certainly occur in the world. But our suffering is and will be every waking moment of every day if we are wrestling with resisting temptations (hopefully successfully) so as not to sin, as the Apostle Peter wrote…Therefore, since the Christ suffered for us in His body, arm yourselves also with the same mind, because he that has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin. 1 Peter 4:1 (oh, what controversy).

God does not want us to sin.
Who has a problem with that?  Is that an absolute truth?
So much so that He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able and He will make a way of escape. You should read that again  s l o w l y. He will make a way of ESCAPE! What does that mean? It means God wants us, who are being tempted or going through some ordeal that tries us spiritually, to take His way out… and NOT fail, NOT stumble, NOT give place to the flesh, NOT sin.

We all, Christians, atheists, whatever… suffer physical ailments. There is nothing unique in that for the brethren. We are all susceptible and indeed have to deal with, every ailment known to man. Not all pain is spiritually beneficial. Having healthy, fit bodies does little for your soul, 1 Tim. 4:8, Matt. 6:33. I’m sure there are “professors” who think they “suffer” bad hair days. But I'm not talking about colds, hang nails or ear aches. I'm talking about spiritual things. I would strongly beseech you to read and study...and LEARN - 1 Corinthians, chapters 12, 13 and 14.

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. James 5:13a

But we will suffer in the soul…the slings and arrows, and temptations… and we would suffer more in failing to “meet the mark” Philippians 3:14. Our holy union and communion with God will suffer the torments of satan every day. The more we perfect ourselves in holiness, the more painful to have to deal with sin in our carnal nature, which must be crucified daily… BUT the more joy in becoming closer to God…more Christ-like.
Having therefore these promises (2 Cor. 6:16-18), dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 2 Cor. 7:1

Cleanse ourselves???
You better believe it! John Darby once said, "The will, engaged in evil, feeds on sinful desires, and wastes itself without fruit."
That is the old nature…the flesh; and the “will” of the adamic nature WARS against the will of the NEW man in Christ (the Holy Spirit). We must give up our will to the Will of God. It’s a daily process, or we will sin.

You shower every day right? Jesus washed the disciples feet, in which Jesus said, “He that is washed needs only to wash his feet because he is completely clean” John 13:10
We have been washed, but we need to cleanse ourselves (and each other) every day. How? Prayer, confession, resisting temptations, crucifying the flesh, walking in the Spirit, love, renewing our minds by the Word of God... LIVING by the Word of God, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. Matt. 4:4

This is warfare against the old adamic nature, which is the enemy of God. And it is suffering, at least in this body.

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that you cannot do the things that you would.
Galatians 5:16-17

Repentance (turning away from the old nature and TO God) begins the walk in the Spirit, in sanctification, toward holiness. Holiness, a characteristic of God, is the goal of sanctification…set apart for the process of becoming more and more Christ-like. Perfecting holiness in this body is NOT sinless perfection, but it is the spiritual maturity which, in part, will make us more able to discern between good and evil (Heb. 5:12-14), and to resist and rebuke the devil, the temptations, and the sin. It is a life-long growth process. God has wiped the slate clean and we Christians now are to be characterized by His new life, free from the dominion of sin.
For sin shall not have dominion over you: for you are not under the law, but under grace. Rom. 6:14

No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, Who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. I speak as to wise men; judge for yourselves what I say.  1 Cor. 10:13-15

And according to Paul's custom, he went to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and giving evidence that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, "This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is the Christ." Acts 17:2-3

For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth. 1 Peter 2:21-22 KJV

For you [as a believer] have been called for this purpose, since Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you may follow in His footsteps. He committed no sin, nor was deceit ever found in His mouth. While being reviled and insulted, He did not revile or insult in return; while suffering, He made no threats [of vengeance], but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges fairly. He personally carried our sins in His body on the cross [willingly offering Himself on it, as on an altar of sacrifice], so that we might die to sin [becoming immune from the penalty and power of sin] and live for righteousness; for by His wounds you [who believe] have been healed. 1 Peter 2:21-24 Amplified Version

Consider the example of Christ being manifested in the example of Stephen... (I didn’t stutter)
And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.
Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.
And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spoke. Acts 6:8-10.

The story of Stephen is relatively brief beginning with verse 5 of chapter 6 and going to the end of chapter 7, delivering a great historical synopsis of the Jews as well as a scathing sermon, ending with…
When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.
But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.
Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,
And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.
And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. Acts 7:54-60.

Two things here…
#1 …Stephen’s suffering was endured by “seeing the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God.
And #2 …Stephen (comparatively) “committed no sin (by his preaching), nor was deceit found in his mouth... while being reviled and insulted, he did not revile or insult in return; while suffering, he made no threats of vengeance, but kept entrusting himself to Him who judges fairly... as did Jesus. Why? Because Stephen was FULL OF FAITH AND POWER.
And so it should be with us.

Who in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto Him that was able to save Him from death, and was heard in that He feared; Though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered; And being made perfect, He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him. Hebrews 5:7-9.

“Being made perfect” comes from OBEDIENCE. Jesus the Christ suffered before the cross. He suffered even before the beatings. Jesus, the Incarnate God the Son, suffered just by being in this fallen corrupt world.
They hated Me without a cause. John 15:25. Read 15:18-25.
THAT is suffering by God Who is Love!
The righteous, loving soul is hurt by hate. It is a deep spiritual pain. Only love can endure it.

Jesus was tempted. Temptation is suffering. Whatever one thinks about whether Jesus could or could not have sinned is irrelevant to the point…temptation is suffering… yet learned He obedience by the things which he suffered. Imagine…The Holy One being tempted by satan’s seductions. This was no exercise in futility by satan, it was not some innocuous game for show. It was evil trying to corrupt The Holy One…FOR FORTY DAYS…and NIGHTS!

Jesus suffered at seeing the condition and state of, not only man, but His whole creation.

In our sufferings, are we fated for martyrdom? Don’t worry about tomorrow.
Are we predestined for temptations? Oh Yeah! The question is, will we suffer the ordeal of resisting in the body (flesh) and be done with sin (since God will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.) …or will we succumb to the lusts of the flesh?
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 1 John 2:16

Hebrews 12:4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.