Comments on William W. Birch: You Do Not Suffer Alone

"For I reckon that the sufferings of this pre...

2012-01-19T15:11:45.572-05:00

"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."

WWB - You wrote, "Isn't that an incredibl...

2012-01-19T15:09:55.347-05:00

WWB - You wrote, "Isn't that an incredible statement -- that he is "filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions"?"

Yes, that is an incredible statement. I'm presently unsure what that means but I do think it is a good thing to meditate upon and discover how that can be applied in my life.

Dr. W., That is a great insight, I think. Your co...

2012-01-19T15:02:31.423-05:00

Dr. W.,

That is a great insight, I think. Your comments reminded me of the believers who had to suffer (be persecuted for) being a Christian: "but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you" (1 Pet. 4:13-14 NASB).

I also thought about Paul's statement: "Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions" (Col. 1:24 NASB).

Isn't that an incredible statement -- that he is "filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions"?

WWB - Thanks for posting on this very relevant sub...

2012-01-19T14:57:06.400-05:00

WWB - Thanks for posting on this very relevant subject. I wonder if Hebrews 12:2 is relevant here as well. Jesus despised/disregarded the shame of the cross. I was thinking that Jesus surely endured the cross and all the suffering that came with it. Yet, He put aside the shame that came with the suffering. I think of many who feel ashamed when they suffer, but with Christ as our model, we can set aside that shame

Amen.

2012-01-19T08:23:01.440-05:00

Amen.

And then there is Horatio Spafford who lost all fo...

2012-01-19T05:55:09.404-05:00

And then there is Horatio Spafford who lost all four of his daughters in a shipwreck, while his wife was saved providentially by a plank of wood propping her up in the water. When he was on a ship and over the very spot of his daughters' deaths, he wrote:

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

And what can we say of David Livingston who spent so much time away from his beloved wife in order to reach the Africans. When she finally arrived in Africa ti join him, she fell ill and died within a week. And what were Livingston's words?

"All I can say in my solitude is, may Heaven's rich blessing come down on every one--American, English, Turk--who will help heal this open sore of the world."

Yes - "Run to the One who knows all about suffering and find solace in Him. You do not suffer alone."