SO YOU WANNA BE LIKE JESUS? ...REALLY? 2

GodThoughtsWired!               Thursday, January 6, 2011 Evangelizing the Church in the Age of Delusion

You are subscribed as %%emailaddress%% SO YOU WANNA BE LIKE JESUS? ...REALLY? 2 "For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly.  For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God."1 Peter 2:19-20, bold mine Suffering is a part of God's plan for all followers of Christ.  Did you know this?  Do you know the Bible well enough to believe it?  And I can hear someone sincerely ask..."Where?"  Thanks for asking!  Actually...the very next verse! "For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps." 1 Peter 2:21, bold mine Indeed, all followers of Christ are "called for the purpose of suffering."  However, here's the key!  Not just suffering for the sake of suffering, but suffering for the sake of righteousness (see above, verse 20).  Suffering for the kingdom and glory of God. AND IT GETS WORSE! (or better, depending on your perspective).  Not just "suffering for the sake of righteousness," but patiently enduring the suffering that you are unjustly enduring! see above, verse 20). AND EVEN WORSE! (or better, depending on how you look at it), "While being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, he uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously."1 Peter 2:23, bold mine Every follower of Jesus is "called" to: Patiently endure unjust suffering while leaving their reputation in God's hands... for this finds favor with God. -pastor Brad's paraphrase, 1 Peter 2:19-23 Sooo...you still wanna be like Jesus? REALLY? For more information about the GodThoughts Ministry, clickhere. For more information about the author of GodThoughts, clickhere. PLEASE prayerfully consider supporting the GodThoughts Ministry (click on "donate" button below). The cost to provide this FREE Ministry world-wide in 2010 was $40,700.00 (see Annual Report for full details).