Short Answer: Do we all have to suffer or can I be just a regular Christian?
Suffering pretty much goes with the job. In 2 Timothy 3:10-12, it is emphasized that all who choose to lead a godly life in Christ Jesus will inevitably face persecution. Being saved and following the path of Christianity means embracing the reality of enduring hardships and trials due to our faith. The devil relentlessly targets Christians, waging a war to hinder their spiritual journey. He brings challenges upon them precisely because they strive to do what is right and walk in obedience to God’s will.
In 2 Corinthians 11:20-25, Paul gives witness to the trials he endures for being a minister. Despite facing numerous adversities, Paul’s sufferings became a testament to his commitment to his faith and his ministry. It revealed that he indeed carried the anointing of the Lord. Through his sufferings Paul chose to glory in his weaknesses. He found pleasure in infirmities, reproaches, necessities, persecutions, and distresses for Christ’s sake, recognizing that in his weakness, he found true strength through the power of Christ’s anointing (2 Cor. 12:9-10).
1 John 2:27 shows the significance of Christ as the anointing, linking the connection between suffering and being like Christ. Some experiences in the Christian journey cannot be fully shared or understood by others, as they are deeply personal and transformative, only to be understood by those who follow Christ. So yes we must suffer, but finding strength in God through weakness will carry followers of Christ through it all.
Scripture Outline:
- 2 Tim. 3:10-12 – “…Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”
- Part of being saved and being a Christian means you’ll have to suffer things because you’re saved.
- The devil is out to get Christians. He has waged war and wants to silence us.
- He brings things on us because we’re doing what we’re supposed to do.
- 2 Cor. 11:20-25 Paul’s sufferings
- v. 23 ministers of Christ
- His sufferings showed he was “more” (v. 23) a minister of CHRST
- To be like Christ and have HIM as the anointing you have to suffer
- 1 John 2:27 — He is the anointing
- 2 Cor. 12:2-10 Paul’s thorn in the flesh
- v. 2 – “I knew a man in Christ…”
- Some things you get by going through you can’t share
- v. 7 Paul’s thorn in the flesh was the messenger of Satan
- Messenger = Ángelos — an angel
- Satan = Sataná
- The messenger of Satan was an angel of Satan to keep him from getting puffed up (pride)
- v. 9 – “…Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
- v. 10 – “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”
- Paul recognized the power of the anointing
