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2 Corinthians 4:8-12
In 2 Corinthians 4:8-12 the Apostle Paul speaks of hard times, but in these hard times he views it in part as Christ Jesus was mistreated, so is he in reflection of the life that Jesus lived, so he too will suffer too in light of gaining the new life that Jesus arose to from the grave that suffers no more. But he is suffering for spreading the message of the gospel which is for the sake of his hearers to come to Jesus and be saved.
This is an example of suffering for Christ Jesus as He first suffered for us.
Paul tells of his sufferings for the gospel in 2 Corinthians 11:23d-28 (NKJV) as he states, “in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness – besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches.”
Saul/Paul before he was saved, was the persecutor (Acts 9), and in his calling and ministry for Christ Jesus became the persecuted.
We all have our trials, tribulations, and persecutions in this world (some more than others), but we will all, in Christ Jesus, receive a new body, a new pure life, where persecution will be no more as we live forever in God’s glory. The Bible teaches us in Hebrews 2:10, “For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.” And Jesus teaches us that as He was persecuted, we too will be persecuted (John 15:20). And we find reassurance in 1 Peter 5:10-11, “But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
Dear LORD,
We long for the day when You will take all suffering and persecution away forever. We long for Your righteousness to overwhelm us with a purity that is found only in Christ Jesus. Until then we will continue to strive toward the goal – in Christ as You strengthen us to do so. In Jesus name I pray, amen.