Are We To Suffer?

For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our comfort also abounds through Christ. 2 Corinthians 1:5

So, what are the sufferings of Christ that are supposed to abound in us? Many good people have really gotten weird with this one. They have taken this literally and have developed a martyr complex up to and including being nailed to a cross.

To partake in the sufferings of Christ is to live in the provision of His sufferings. Jesus went through everything He did so we wouldn't have to. He paid the penalty for our sin so we wouldn't have to. His death brought us life. He was bruised for our sin. He was whipped for our physical healing. He was verbally abused so we could live in the peace of God. He became poor so we could be rich. He willingly sacrificed His body so we could have fellowship with the Father. To accept these things is to abound in His sufferings.

bt Rick (Papa) Wilson