|
Written by Pastor Scott
|
|
Sunday, 18 March 2012 00:00 |
|
Philippians 3:10 says, "... that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death." Many in our congregation are going through severe difficulties and enormous trials of sickness, loved ones that are stricken with illness, family rejection, and struggles to conform to the cultural norm. All of this is where 'real' Christianity is lived out. The difficulties and heartache are beyond the scope of words. The battleground is, what is going to control my thoughts? Am I going to let anger, bitterness and resentment control them? Am I going to allow my soul to be afflicted with self-pity. Paul used his sufferings as an opportunity to taste and see the comfort and faithfulness of Christ. For those who are not going through the deep waters of affliction, God calls us to minister as if we were going through the very same sufferings. In Romans 12:15 Paul tells us, based on our union with Christ, to "rejoice with those who rejoice and to weep with those who weep." This is the true privilege of the fellowship of believers in Christ. Let us look to our great God and minister one to another.
|
2013