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Article 1 - The Way of the CrossBy Elizabeth Kendall The Church's suffering should not surprise us. Jesus warned us that it would be this way (John 15:18-16:4). Jesus even promised that we would have trials and sorrows in this world (John 16:33). He calls us to follow him in a life of cross-bearing (Luke 14:25-33) and self-sacrifice — not necessarily in martyrdom, but always self-sacrifice in life (Romans 12:1). These sufferings however, should not scare us unduly. We can know from God's Holy Spirit-inspired word that "nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:39 NLT). And while Satan, his evil angels and his wicked plans may be bigger than you or me, they are not bigger than our risen Lord and Saviour who is "at God's right hand - with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him." (1 Peter 3:22 NIV.) What's more, Christ has already promised the Church victory, even against the very powers of hell itself (Matthew 16:18). The Church does however need to be serious about joining our suffering brothers and sisters in their struggle by praying for them. The apostle Paul implored the believers in Rome,
The global Church of Jesus Christ is made up of living stones (1 Peter 2:4-5). Love and prayer, mixed with tears of compassion and joy, make the cement that binds us together and strengthens us to become the unified body Christ desires (Ephesians 4:3-6, John 17:20-23). Suffering, persecuted believers can experience overwhelming victory as the ever-present Holy Spirit works in and through them (John 14:16) and as our sovereign, almighty God works in the world and through us in response to our prayers (Ephesians 3:20). Christians suffering simply because they are Christians need our prayers, both for mission in their land, and for their deliverance from and endurance in trials. We are commanded to pray for them and do all we can to help them (Galatians 6:2, 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2, Hebrews 13:3, Matthew 25:40, Isaiah 58:6-10, Ephesians 6:18, Proverbs 24:11-12). Those of us who are presently not suffering persecution should also be serious about preparing ourselves for any persecution that may come our way. We need to be dying to the world and living for Christ today, so that if the world turns against us, we won't lose anything of value. We need to ask ourselves - would our faith survive the furnace of purification if health, prosperity, friends, reputation, liberty and security were stripped away? The faith of those who are presently persevering, as well as of those who have endured, can encourage and strengthen us, while we help them through our prayers (Hebrews 12:1-3, 2 Corinthians 1:8-11). Praise God for the global revival of mission and intercessory prayer. This revival is the Holy Spirit's work, for mission and prayer are the Holy Spirit's weapons (Ephesians 6:10-18, 2 Corinthians 10:3-4). And it is all part of God's plan for the Church's victory in the spiritual battle. By the power of the Holy Spirit the Lamb wins - and he uses us (Romans 16:20).
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