There are numerous reasons why we suffer. Some suffering is an immediate aftereffect of our own transgression. A few sins happen because of our own foolishness. A few sins are the consequence of living in a fallen world. Peter is expounding on the suffering that is a result of our good works. Christ never trespassed, yet He endured suffering with the goal that we could be liberated. At the point when we follow Christ's model and live for other people, we also may suffer. Our objective ought to be to confront suffering with tolerance, tranquility, and certainty that God is in charge of all things to come.
We should be prepared to make a COMMITMENT.
Following Christ is not always CONVENIENT.
We may need to get out of our COMFORT zone.
We need to pick up our CROSS.
Matthew 16:24, “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”
Mark 8:34, “And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”
Mark 10:21, “Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.”
Luke 9:23, “And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”
Some questions that we may need to ask ourselves:
Who is to follow?
What does it cost?
When are we to follow?
Where are we to follow?
Why are we to follow?
How are we to follow?
Matthew 11:29, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”
2 Timothy 3:12, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”
Acts 14:22, “Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.”
What keeps us from giving all to Christ?
