The Sufferings Of Christ

For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. 

II Corinthians 1:5 

How do the sufferings of Christ abound in us? What is the end purpose of the redeemed life? It is to be like Christ. John puts it this way, ‘Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.’  This is the final version of what has been going on in the life of the believer since becoming a new creature in Christ. How does this process of transformation occur? In order for us to become like Christ, we must understand Him. In order to understand Him, we must identify with Him. In order to identify with Him, we must endure suffering in some way that enables us to enter into His sufferings. Thus, Paul writes, ‘the sufferings of Christ abound in us.’ This makes the things we suffer in life immensely valuable. Rightly understood, our afflictions enable us to identify with Christ and become like Him. Therefore no experience, however painful, is wasted. They all serve the larger purpose. What is particularly encouraging is that Christ has promised to never leave us or forsake us, so that even in the darkest hours of our suffering His presence sustains us. It is good for us to understand not just that afflictions will come, but that they serve a larger purpose. As we experience them, the Holy Spirit is renewing us in the whole person after the image of Christ.  

Our Wise and Holy God, 
we rejoice that You teach us by our experiences. 
We praise You that they lead us 
to identify with Christ.  

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning