Suffer With Christ

[BBCath]

Another question...

Someone here mentioned that to be a Christian, one has to "suffer with Christ". What exactly does that mean in practical terms?

Thanks.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Another question...

Someone here mentioned that to be a Christian, one has to "suffer with Christ". What exactly does that mean in practical terms?

Thanks.

Accepting whatever hardships of life come your way, and offering them up, as Christ offered himself up to the Father, for our sins.

Jim

 

[Miss Shelby]

Recognizing that He suffered for us and to willingly take part in that suffering by making reasonable sacrifices-- also by taking life's hardships through His eyes instead of our own.

It doesn't mean to suffer unnecessarily, say, as a co dependant person might. IOW, to be a martyr for selfish reasons. I have found that quite often people do not know the difference.

 

[Miss Shelby]

Gethsemane.

 

[Miss Shelby]

Gethsemane

by Ella Wheeler Wilcox

In golden youth when seems the earth
A Summer-land of singing mirth,

When souls are glad and hearts are light,
And not a shadow lurks in sight,

We do not know it, but there lies
Somewhere veiled under evening skies

A garden which we all must see --
The garden of Gethsemane.

With joyous steps we go our ways,
Love lends a halo to our days;

Light sorrows sail like clouds afar,
We laugh and say how strong we are.

We hurry on; and hurrying, go
Close to the border-land of woe,

That waits for you, and waits for me --
For ever waits Gethsemane.
.
Down shadowy lanes, across strange streams,
Bridged over by our broken dreams;

Behind the misty caps of years,
Beyond the great salt fount of tears,

The garden lies. Strive as you may,
You cannot miss it in your way.

All paths that have been, or shall be,
Pass somewhere through Gethsemane.

All those who journey, soon or late,
Must pass within the garden's gate;

Must kneel alone in darkness there,
And battle with some fierce despair.

God pity those who cannot say,
Not mine but thine, who only pray,

Let this cup pass, and cannot see
The purpose in Gethsemane.

 

[FullyMT]

Recognizing that He suffered for us and to willingly take part in that suffering by making reasonable sacrifices-- also by taking life's hardships through His eyes instead of our own.

It doesn't mean to suffer unnecessarily, say, as a co dependant person might. IOW, to be a martyr for selfish reasons. I have found that quite often people do not know the difference.

Yes.

To add...
Although we can bring all sufferings to Christ and unite them with His, suffering is not always necessary and is never good. Illnesses should be sought to be cured within reasonable needs, those who are oppressed must be freed. In the meantime, those suffering may find in Christ a companion.

 

[Colin]

My initial thoughts are that it means taking up our cross each day and following Jesus , accepting whatever hardships it brings each day for love of God . The hardships may be rejection , struggling with temptation , facing the consequences of our sins , difficulties involved in living the Gospel message when all around take a different path , and just the day to day efforts to line up our wills with the will of the Father .

 

[BBCath]

Thanks everyone for the clarification.

This forum is great!