Counsel of Spiritual Life

Counsel #6 — Suffering For Christ’s Sake

Picture: Counsel #6 — Suffering For Christ’s Sake CSL 72.1

It sounds strange but suffering for Christ’s sake brings joy!^[72] As lovers of Jesus, if we are called to suffer for our faith, we will be able to trust Him as a little child trusts its parents. Now is the time to grow our faith in God, which increases our joy. CSL 72.2

“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.” 1 Peter 4:12, 13 NKJV CSL 72.3

“In all ages Satan has persecuted the people of God. He has tortured them and put them to death, but in dying they became conquerors. They revealed in their steadfast faith a mightier One than Satan. Satan could torture and kill the body, but he could not touch the life that was hid with Christ in God. He could incarcerate in prison walls, but he could not bind the spirit. They could look beyond the gloom to the glory.” Ellen White in Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, p. 30 CSL 72.4

Reflect: How can you look “beyond the gloom to the glory” today, in your present trials? CSL 72.5