(By Bert Farias) ) I know the theme of suffering is not popular in Western Christianity, but it is a part of our calling as the disciples of Jesus. Many will even rebuke any and all forms of suffering. One preacher went as far as to foolishly proclaim that the church today is now far more advanced than the early Church was in its embryonic state, and we don’t have to suffer like they did. How some preachers manage to remain in their pulpits while spewing out such ignorant and misleading statements I’ll never know. Oh yes,
I do know—naïve and gullible people continue to grant them the authority to stay. Jesus was our example and He suffered many things for the sake of doing His Father’s will and bringing many sons to glory (Heb. 2:10, 5:8-9). In the same way, we are called to jointly participate in the same hatred, ridicule, rejection and persecution He suffered, so that we might also bring many to Him. We are called to suffer with Him (Rom. 8:17). READ MORE
