Superior Love: suffering for Christ

John Helpher

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(btw, I've made this post in this section because I think the content is relevant to what it means to be a disciple of Christ, i.e. that Jesus said if we follow him we'd be persecuted like he was persecuted.
Hi all. I felt pretty inspired by this video (it's only 2 minutes long), though I note part of that is because of the emotional music, but I think that's fine as such emotional compulsion can be useful in helping us to appreciate what it means to love God despite strong opposition from the world around us.

I really like the narrator's assessment that we are not some kind of exceptional generation who have been excused from suffering for our faith. We, just like those martyrs of the past have a responsibility to lay down our lives for God. I felt pretty convicted by this because, though I try to imagine myself as having this kind of courage, I also feel some doubt. I guess none of us really knows what we'd do until we're faced with the choice in reality. Anyway, I look forward to hearing what others think.

 
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John Helpher

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Romans 8: 37. No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
38. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,
39. neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.


Thanks Tim. Those are encouraging verses for sure, but I do wonder what each of us would do when we're actually faced with a choice to suffer for Christ. I mean, I'd like to think that I would have the faith to suffer, but part of me recognizes a tendency to think more highly of myself than I should.
 
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pescador

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Thanks Tim. Those are encouraging verses for sure, but I do wonder what each of us would do when we're actually faced with a choice to suffer for Christ. I mean, I'd like to think that I would have the faith to suffer, but part of me recognizes a tendency to think more highly of myself than I should.

It's not up to you; it's up to the Holy Spirit. He will give you whatever you need no matter what your state of being.
 
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John Helpher

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He will give you whatever you need no matter what your state of being.

I think we have some agency in the issue, though. That's why Jesus commands us not to be afraid of what men can do to the body and that only those who endure to the end will be saved. I agree with you that God is there willing to give us help, but I don't think he's going to do all the work for us; we need to demonstrate integrity.
 
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tryphena rose

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I think we have some agency in the issue, though. That's why Jesus commands us not to be afraid of what men can do to the body and that only those who endure to the end will be saved. I agree with you that God is there willing to give us help, but I don't think he's going to do all the work for us; we need to demonstrate integrity.

you are right. in our daily lives as Christians we are to put Him and His gospel over our lives, we lose our lives to gain it. we are to be self sacrificial everyday. I believe many are too comfortable in our western world, as Christians. we suffer from being rich and not laying it all down on the line. new Christians in Iran immediately sacrifice everything, even their lives, to spread the gospel. Just after a few weeks. they have no freedoms to worship, yet they desperately seek underground churches and risk rape, torture, beheadings, etc. not to get graphic, but these type of things happen to Christians all around the world, not even mentioning the apostles. We take our church and freedoms for granted, and don't want to obey ALL of the things we are asked to do.

I agree with you, and see this in myself too. I've been seeking answers from God and want to be more passionate for Him. To truly give it all.

here's my source for the iranian Christians:


And since coming back to the topic of suffering persecution for His name's sake, I've rediscovered this book I own that goes over the stories of martyrs all over the world back through time. As a sort of inspiration. In it it does show people also relying on the Holy Spirit, from where they gather strength. Here's that book, very informative:

https://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Freaks-Stories-Those-Ultimate/dp/1577780728
 
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