November 7, 2015

Ephesians 3:13 NLT - "So please don't lose heart because of my trials here.  I am suffering for you, so you should feel honored."

Commentary:

When Christians suffer for their faith it can cause other Christians to get upset, fearful, and even wonder if its worth it all to serve the Lord.  Too many believers think that following Christ is supposed to be a life of love, joy, peace, and all kinds of nice experiences.  We look forward to being with nice Christians and serve in a nice Christian church and do nice Christian things looking forward to an eternity of "pleasures at His right hand forever!"  But the New Testament makes it clear that expecting our lives would be like that is just naïve.  A couple clear passages point this out, Philippians 1:29 and 2 Timothy 3:12.  We will suffer for the Lord, and if we really live godly lives, we will suffer persecution.
Paul wanted these believers to be "honored" that he was suffering on their behalf.  Paul knew that when he set out to win people to Christ he was going to suffer.  But he considered the salvation of the lost to be far more important than his own personal comfort!  He made it clear that these believers should understand he was going through trials because he loved them enough to go through whatever pain he would face so they could hear about Jesus Christ and His wonderful plan to bring them to Himself. 
Are we willing to suffer not only for the Lord, but also for the lost?