(Romans 12)
In the days of the early church, Christians suffered tremendous persecution. They worshipped God in caverns, and lived there, too. Their lives were always in danger of death. Those were the days when confusion of beliefs penetrated the churches, as we see today in the Catholic Churches. Constantine is partly responsible for that, when he made Christianity legal, interacting his pagan practices into the Christianity faith. Seemly, people followed the idea, leaving the Christian faith tainted with paganism to this day. When Paul wrote this, he had much to say concerning persecution and suffering for the faith, for he himself was one of those who suffered severe persecutions. A very difficult thing to do in suffering, is to be patient. I know that Paul took suffering well so that he could write what he wrote to the Romans. However, suffering due to persecution for the sake of the Gospel, it should be an honor to all Christians, as we see in Stephen’s death. The Bible says that while they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, Lord YAHSHUA, receive and accept and welcome my spirit. And falling on his knees, he cried out loudly, Lord, fix not this sin upon them! (one of them was Paul). And when he had said this, he fell sleep (in death). (Acts 7:59-60). Paul said, Rejoice in hope. Hope that things will get better; rejoice in the hope that God will deliver us by answering our prayers, or rejoice in the outcome of our faith – eternal life with YAHSHUA. Peter said, For one is regarded favorably if, as in the sight of God, he endures the pain of unjust sufferings What kind of glory [is there] if, when you do wrong and are punished for it, you take it patiently? But if you be patiently with suffering when you do right and that is undeserved, it is acceptable and pleasing to God. For even to this were you called. For Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in His footsteps; He was guilty of no sin, neither was deceit ever found on His lips. When He was reviled and insulted, He did not revile or offer insult in return; [when] When He was abused and suffered, He made no threats; but He trusted to Him (God) Who judges fairly (I Peter w:19-23).
YAHSHUA said, Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me; (John 14:1a); In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but of good cheer! For I have overcome the world. (John 16:33b). The secret of being patient in suffering in found in faith and hope – hope in the written promises of God. Patient is a word that many of us have not grasped its true meaning. To be patient, is to be mistreated without retaliating, or complaining; it is waiting for God to show up and take vengeance on our enemies. The word patient means to bear or endure pain, trouble without complaining, losing self-control, refusing to be angry (Webster dictionary). The Patriarch Job in his sufferings, often showed to trust God. We do not know how long was his ordeal, but we understand that was long and terrible. In spite of been counselled to “curse God and die,” he took a stand of faith and rebuked his wife for suggesting that, saying, You speak as one of the impious and foolish women would speak. What? Shall we accept good at the hand of God and shall we not accept also misfortune and what is of a bad nature? In [spite of] all this, Job did not sin with his lips (Job 2:9-10). That speaks to me of “patient in suffering.” Job was not suffering for any evil doing of his own. God put him to the test to show Satan how righteous he was. I do not know if he ever understood that, or even knew it, but patient in his suffering, he overcame and was blessed more that the first time. Suffering for the sake of our Lord and Savior, must be an honor. Although, very painful and difficult to keep the faith, our hope in Him will cause joy to flow, considering the outcome of our suffering for YAHSHUA will be heaven. As Paul said, I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth being compared with the glory that is about to be revealed to us and in un and for us and conferred on us! (Rom. 8:18). Paul, a faithful minister of YAHSHUA suffered much persecution for the love and hope and faith in God. He was amazing in his stability of faith, and died as a martyr for the cause of the Gospel of YAHSHUA Messiah. In the letter to the Romans, he wrote: For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Messiah, or it is God’s power working unto salvation to everyone who believes with a personal trust and a confident surrender and firm reliance, to the Jew first and also to the Greek (Rom. 1:16).
Light from the Word 