Even if we are persecuted because of Jesus, because of Jesus we will receive a great reward!

Even if we are persecuted because of Jesus,

because of Jesus we will receive a great reward!

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Blessed are you when people hate you, exclude you, insult you, and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets” (Luke 6:22–23).

 

 

 

      As I meditate on these words, I would like to receive the lessons given through this passage:

 

(1)   I would like to meditate on today’s passage, Luke 6:22–23, in connection with Matthew 5:11–12: “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

 

(a)    Here, the phrase “because of the Son of Man” (Lk. 6:22) corresponds to “because of Me” (Mt. 5:11), meaning “because of Jesus Himself” (cf. Hochma).  As I meditated on this meaning, I was reminded again of something I wrote on April 26, 20205, under the title “Because of Jesus (Thanks to Jesus?)”: “When, because of Jesus, we are hated by everyone and dragged away to be interrogated, we do not need to worry about what we will say, because the indwelling Holy Spirit will speak through us.  We only need to say exactly what the Holy Spirit brings to mind.  Therefore, this crisis becomes a good opportunity to proclaim the gospel (good news) of Jesus Christ.  The one who endures to the end, when hated by all people, will be saved (cf. Mk. 13:9–13).”

 

(i)               As I reread and reflected on this writing, I was reminded of a conversation I had yesterday, Tuesday, in the car with my beloved youngest daughter, Karis.  In that conversation, Karis actually quoted Mark 13:11 to me: “When they arrest you and hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what to say.  Just say whatever is given you at that time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.”

 

·          The context in which Karis quoted this Scripture during our conversation was this: as she engages in evangelism, she does not really know what to say or how to say it when she stands before those she is trying to evangelize.  However, according to Mark 13:11, she should not worry, but simply speak whatever word the Holy Spirit gives her at that moment.

 

-           The reason Karis said this to me was because I had told her that when I converse—whether online or offline—with people whom the Lord graciously brings into my internet ministry, whenever the Holy Spirit causes Scripture to come to my mind, I simply say that Word directly to the other person.

 

(ii)             Therefore, I believe that the difficulties and hardships we face because of Jesus Himself—even crises—are good opportunities in which the Holy Spirit works within us and through us to proclaim the gospel (good news) of Jesus Christ.

 

·          That is why I believe that when, as today’s passage in Luke 6:22 says, “because of the Son of Man” [“because of Me” (Mt. 5:11)]—that is, because of Jesus—we are hated, excluded, insulted, and our names are treated as evil by the people of the world (v. 22), it is precisely at that moment that it will be revealed whether we are true disciples of Jesus or false ones.  And if we are true disciples of Jesus, such difficulties and sufferings become precious and good opportunities not only to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ but also to reveal the fragrance of Jesus.

 

-           Therefore, rather than saying “because of Jesus,” I would like to say “thanks to Jesus.”  Even though, as true disciples of Jesus, we may suffer tribulation and persecution because of Jesus, thanks to Jesus, even in the midst of that tribulation and persecution, we will not only preserve our faith but also proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ and reveal the fragrance of Jesus.  Through the work of the Holy Spirit, who enables us even to love our enemies, this becomes a good opportunity to spread our faith with gentle words and deeds.

 

(b)   Then, what are the tribulations and persecutions that true disciples of Jesus, who believe in Him, suffer because of Jesus?  I would like to meditate on several aspects by connecting today’s passage, Luke 6:22, with Matthew 5:11:

 

(i)               First, because of Jesus, we will be hated [“Because of the Son of Man, people will hate you …” (Lk. 6:22)].

 

·          The Scripture says that people will “hate” us because of Jesus.  The Greek word translated “hate,” μισήσωσιν (misēsōsin), comes from the verb μισέω (miseō), and literally carries the sense of “they will hate” or “they must hate,” conveying a future or subjunctive nuance (Internet).

 

-           Then why did Jesus say that the people of the world would hate us who believe in Him?  Here is John 7:7 from the Modern Korean Bible: “The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me, because I testify that what it does is evil.”   The reason the people of the world hate us is because they hate Jesus, who testifies that the works of the world are evil.

 

n  This world has fallen and has become essentially evil, and therefore it is the complete opposite of Jesus, who is perfectly good.  That is why Jesus is hated in the world (Gen. 3:15).  The fact that Jesus is hated actually serves as proof that He is the Savior of the world.  When we see that He was hated, we should instead believe in Him sincerely (Hochma).

·          Even though we are hated by the people of the world because of Jesus, we must treat them kindly (Luke 6:27). A good example of this is David treating King Saul kindly, even though Saul mistreated him. Look at 1 Samuel 24:17: “You are more righteous than I, for you have treated me well, while I have treated you badly.”

 

-           These words were spoken by King Saul to David. Saul realized that although the LORD had delivered him into David’s hand, David had not killed him (v. 18).  Raising his voice and weeping (v. 16), Saul said this to David. Clearly, Saul was seeking David’s life and trying to harm him (v. 11), but when he realized that David had spared his life and had not raised his hand against him (v. 10), Saul said to David, “You treated me well, while I treated you badly; you are more righteous than I” (v. 17).  Then Saul said to David, “May the LORD reward you well for the way you treated me today” (v. 19).  How was David able to treat King Saul kindly when Saul was trying to take his life?  Even though David had committed no wrongdoing against Saul (v. 11), Saul listened to the words of people around him—“David is trying to harm the king” (v. 9)—and sought to kill him (v. 11).  How, then, could David treat such a Saul kindly?

 

n   I found the answer in Genesis 50:20: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good, to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”  These words were spoken by Joseph to his brothers who had tried to harm him.  Because Joseph had tasted the goodness of God, who turned their evil intentions into good (Ps. 34:8), he instead comforted his brothers with kind words (Gen. 50:21).  The reason David could treat King Saul kindly, even though Saul tried to harm him, was precisely because David had tasted the goodness of God (Ps. 34:8).  David tasted God’s goodness when he defeated Goliath, the Philistine commander, and he also tasted God’s goodness when King Saul, out of jealousy, tried to kill him. David tasted God’s salvation from his enemies and from the hand of Saul, who hated him [μισέω (miseō): meaning “to hate” or “to detest,” a verb expressing feelings toward enemies or hostile beings; in Scripture, it is used to refer to evil people who oppose God, enemies, and those who persecute us (Internet)] (cf. Lk. 1:71).  That is why, even though Saul mistreated him, David was able to treat Saul kindly.  This is the conduct of wise people who live a God-centered life.

 

#   We too must act wisely.  Especially when we encounter difficulties—when we are struggling and even feel a sense of crisis—we must act wisely.  Then what does it mean to act wisely?  It means to act in a God-centered way, like Joseph and David.  From a passive perspective, God-centered action means entrusting those who mistreat us to God, the righteous Judge.  From an active perspective, it means treating those who mistreat us kindly.  The reason is that our God is good. And because we are those who have tasted the goodness of God (Ps. 34:8), and because we believe that the good God causes all things to work together for good (Rom. 8:28), we must treat even those who mistreat us kindly.  This is what it means to act wisely in the midst of a crisis.

 

(ii)             Second, because of Jesus, people will exclude us [“Because of the Son of Man, people will … exclude you …” (Lk. 6:22)].

 

·          The Scripture says that because of Jesus, people will “exclude” us.  The Greek word translated “exclude,” ἀφορίζω (aphorizō), means “to draw a boundary” or “to separate,” and it was used to indicate being marginalized or cut off within social relationships (Hochma).

 

-            “Enduring rejection for Christ: Luke 6:22 blesses disciples who are ‘rejected’ for the sake of the Son of Man.  This rejection, which began with expulsion from the early synagogues, continued through persecution in the Roman era and still appears today wherever loyalty to Christ collides with cultural idols.  Believers who experience such isolation inherit the promise of heavenly reward and fellowship with the prophets” (Internet).

 

n   Therefore, I believe it is entirely normal for us Christians to be rejected by the people of the world.  The problem is when we are not rejected by them but are instead welcomed.  How can people of the world, who do not believe in Jesus, warmly receive (welcome) and associate with disciples who believe in and follow Jesus?  Could it be because we have assimilated into them?  Could it be because we have blended in, harmonized with them, and become one with them (or mixed with them) so that there is no longer any distinction?

 

#    Eschatological separation: The two parables clearly show what will happen at the final judgment: “The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous” (Mt. 13:49).  And before the glorious throne, “He will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats” (25:32).  These scenes confirm that present ambiguity will be replaced by perfect and irreversible justice. Therefore, evangelism carries a grave urgency, and pastoral ministry must prepare believers to be ready for that ultimate judgment (Internet).

 

·        The Modern Korean Bible says, “Because of Me (Jesus), people will … ostracize you …” (Lk. 6:22).  This led me to reflect on Christians who are ostracized:

 

-     “Christians who are ostracized may be persecuted in the world simply because they are Christians (being ‘outcasts’ of the world), and they may also be ostracized within the church due to human sinfulness.  However, Scripture teaches that such situations are blessed (Matthew 5).  Like Joseph, they should rely on God, overcome with love, develop their own gifts, and persevere through sincere acts of help.  This aligns with the spirit of Christ’s cross and is also a process of realizing the values of the kingdom of God, which differ from the values of the world” (Internet).

 

n  Causes and meaning of ostracism:

 

Persecution from the world: When one lives as a genuine Christian, the sinfulness and values of the world collide with one’s faith, leading to ostracism.  This can actually be a blessing (being an “outcast” from the world).

 

Sinfulness within the church: Even children within the church possess a sinful nature, and due to human weakness, ostracism can occur.

 

Values of the Kingdom of God: Group ostracism is an act of wielding power to trample the weak. It stands in opposition to God’s principles of love and salvation, and God opposes such forces.

 

Biblical and practical ways to overcome ostracism:

 

Relying on God: This is the most important. As in the example of Joseph, looking to God and depending on Him provides great strength.

 

Love and affirmation: Receiving sufficient love and encouragement from family (parents), and experiencing recognition through doing something well, builds self-esteem.

 

Developing one’s own strengths: Cultivating personal talents—such as in academics or athletics—and building competence is helpful.

 

Healthy spirituality: Sound spiritual health is essential for overcoming ostracism.

 

Sincere communication: Without becoming intimidated, one should speak gently yet firmly, meet people one by one, engage in sincere conversation, and make allies through genuine relationships.

 

The Christian’s posture:

 

Being distinct from the world: Living as a Christian in the world itself means being set apart, and this distinction can become even clearer through persecution from the world.

 

Pursuing positive transformation: Even in situations of ostracism, one remembers God’s love and the value of the cross, striving so that through oneself the kingdom of God may be realized on this earth.

 

(iii)           Third, because of Jesus, we will be insulted [“Because of the Son of Man, people will … insult you …” (Lk. 6:22)].

 

·          The Scripture says that because of Jesus we will “be insulted.”  The Greek word translated “to insult” is ὀνειδίζω (oneidizō).  Derived from a primitive root, it means “to reproach with bared teeth, to revile, to insult.”  More precisely, it means to disgrace, to reproach, to mock (or curse), to heap insults upon someone, or to shift blame (to put someone to shame).  It conveys the idea of regarding someone (or something) as guilty and therefore deserving of punishment.  This reproach may be based on fact (Mt. 11:20) or on false assumptions (5:11) (Internet).

 

-         Then what are the false assumptions of the people of the world who insult us because of Jesus? Why are they insulting Christians who believe in Jesus?

 

n   I would like to divide into three parts something I wrote on October 14, 2018, under the title “Christians Who Must Be Insulted?”, as I meditated on Matthew 27:39–44:

 

“Right now, we Christians are being insulted.  We are not only being insulted by people of the world, but also by fellow Christians.  The reason is that, to that extent, we are now doing things that deserve insult.  Even though this is a very shameful situation, rather than being ashamed, it seems that we are becoming accustomed even to being insulted, which is deeply concerning.  What should we do?  We must no longer do things that deserve insult.  We must no longer do things that are shameful even in the eyes of the world. In short, we must repent. We must diligently cast off our sinful way of life, return to the Word of God, and live in obedience to God’s Word.”

 

“…   As I meditated on this fact, I first came to think that we Christians must obey God, like Jesus, even to the point of death, and that when we obey God’s Word, we may be sufficiently insulted by those who are disobedient.  In other words, those who obey the Lord may be insulted by those who disobey. And I think this is entirely natural and normal for those who obey God’s Word.  Yet in reality, when we obey God’s Word and are insulted not only by disobedient people of the world but even by brothers and sisters in the Lord, we do not regard it as natural, nor are we accustomed to such insults.  What we are accustomed to is being insulted by people of the world and by fellow Christians because we disobey God’s Word.  Because we so frequently break God’s Word and commit sin, being insulted by the world has come to seem completely natural, and furthermore, even being insulted by brothers and sisters in Christ has become familiar to us.  Although being insulted because we have done such things is truly shameful and calls for repentance, being insulted while committing no such shameful acts but instead living in obedience to God’s Word can actually be evidence that we are obeying God’s Word.  The reason I think this way is that when Jesus obeyed the will of God the Father even to the point of being nailed to the cross, He was insulted not only by those passing by but also by the criminals who were crucified with Him (vv. 39, 44).”

 

“Christians must no longer be insulted by the people of the world because we disobey God’s Word and commit sin.  Rather, we must imitate Jesus and obey God’s will even to the point of death, and thus be insulted by the people of the world.  When we are mocked by the world because we obey God’s Word, that is something to be thankful for.  If Jesus, who was without sin, was mocked because He obeyed the will of God the Father, then it is only natural that we sinners—who have received forgiveness of sins and have been declared righteous through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ on the cross—should be mocked.  This is something natural, yet the fact that it has not been treated as natural may be evidence that we have not been living a life that is truly right and fitting.  For Christians who live a life of obedience by imitating Jesus, being insulted and reproached is natural and entirely normal.  Therefore, we should give praise and worship to God with thanksgiving, even when we suffer shame and reproach all day long because of God’s Word (Jer. 20:8).”

 

(iv)            Fourth, because of Jesus, we will be persecuted [“Because of Me, they will … persecute you …” (Mt. 5:11)].

 

·          Here, “persecution” comes from the Greek word διώκω (diōkō).  Its basic meaning is “to chase” or “to pursue,” but depending on the context, it is used with a wide range of meanings, both negative and positive, such as “to persecute,” “to harass,” or positively, “to strive eagerly,” “to press on,” or “to run after.”  In Scripture, it is mainly used either to express “being persecuted for righteousness” (negative sense) or “being zealous in striving toward the kingdom of God” (positive sense).  Thus, it carries two core meanings: “the act of chasing after someone (in order to persecute)” and “the zealous pursuit of a goal (for the sake of God’s kingdom)” (Internet).

 

-           As I meditated on these two core meanings, the apostle Paul came to mind.  The reason is that the apostle Paul lived his life of faith (a life worthy of the gospel) with zeal, “pressing on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:14).  Because of this, he “was imprisoned more frequently, beaten without number, and often near death.  Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one.  Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I spent in the open sea. I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my own people, dangers from Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers at sea, and dangers among false brothers. I have labored and toiled and often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked” (2 Cor. 11:23–27).

 

n  In the same way, when we, like the apostle Paul, run with zeal for Jesus and the gospel (Mark 8:35), pressing on for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus, there can be no doubt that various forms of persecution will come. Here is Luke 21:12–13 from the Modern Korean Translation: “But before all this, people will seize you and persecute you.  They will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of Me.  But this will result in your being witnesses to them.”

 

#      I would like to share the concluding portion of a meditation I wrote on February 12, 2020, under the title “Suffering Is an Opportunity”: “Therefore, when we suffer, we must not sin against God either with our lips or with our actions.  Rather, when we suffer, we must remain silent.  And in that silence, we must hear the still, small voice of God the Father saying, ‘You are My beloved son (daughter); I am pleased with you.’  We must quietly remain before the throne of God’s grace and listen to the words of God’s promise.  In such moments, rather than being driven by our emotions in painful circumstances, we must be led by the Word of God.  We must view painful situations with biblical thinking.  Above all, we must overcome our painful circumstances by fixing our eyes on Jesus, who suffered. Victory!”

 

·        These are the words of Jesus: “… If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you …” (Jn. 15:20), and “… In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (16:33).

 

-        I was reminded of 1 John 5:4–5: “For everyone born of God overcomes the world.  And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.  Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?”  Here, the apostle John uses the expressions “overcomes,” “overcoming,” and “the one who overcomes” three times, and he also uses the word “world” three times.  He then uses the words “faith” and “the one who believes” to describe, in just two phrases, who it is that overcomes the world by faith: “the one born of God” (v. 4) and “the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God” (v. 5).  When we consider these truths together, the apostle John is saying that the God of love (4:8, 16) loved us first (v. 19) and showed us great love (3:1) by sending “His one and only Son” as “an atoning sacrifice for our sins” (4:9–10).  Jesus Christ, “the Righteous One” (2:1), who is “the atoning sacrifice for our sins” (2:2), “laid down His life for us” (3:16).  Through this, God the Holy Spirit caused us to be born again (5:1, 4), enabled us to believe that Jesus is the Christ and the Son of God (vv. 1, 5), and made us children of God (3:1–2).  Therefore, we are now engaged in a battle against “the world.”

 

n  For this reason, the apostle John also exhorted us: “Do not love the world or the things in the world” (2:15).  The reason is that “everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—does not come from the Father but from the world” (v. 16).  And “the world and its desires pass away” (v. 17).  Therefore, we who have been born again, regenerated, and made new creations (new people) must fight against this world.  Moreover, when we consider the four overarching themes I have proposed for the entire book of 1 John, the “world” we must fight against is: (1) a world of darkness (1:5–6; 2:8–9, 11), (2) a world of falsehood (1:6, 8, 10; 2:4, 21–22; 4:1, 6, 20), (3) a world of hatred (2:9, 11; 3:12–15; 4:20), and (4) an evil and unrighteous world (1:9; 2:2, 13–14, 16; 3:12; 5:17–19, 21).  We must fight against such a world. And the secret of victory in this spiritual battle is “faith.”

 

#     Look again at the words of the apostle John: “… This is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith” (5:4).  In other words, those who are “born of God” (vv. 1, 4)—that is, those who are born again, regenerated, made new creations, and have become children of God (3:1–2)—and who “believe that Jesus is the Christ” and “the Son of God” (vv. 1, 5), are the ones who “overcome the world” (5:4–5).

(v)             Fifth, because of Jesus, people will speak all kinds of evil against us falsely [“When people … because of Me … tell all kinds of evil lies about you …” (Mt. 5:11)].

 

·          When we think about “lies” here, we are led to meditate on what the apostle John says in 1 John: “If we claim to have fellowship with God but continue to live in darkness by committing sin, we are nothing but liars who do not live according to the truth” (1 Jn. 1:6).  “The person who claims to know God but does not keep His commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in that person” (2:4).

 

-           When we consider the dark life of sin that a liar lives, we are led to meditate on 1 John 2:9 and 11: “Anyone who claims to live in the light but hates a brother is still living in darkness. … But whoever hates a brother is still in darkness and lives in darkness. Because the darkness has blinded his eyes, he does not know where he is going.”  That is, the dark life of sin lived by a liar is hating one’s brother.

 

n  “Anyone who hates a brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him” (v. 15).

 

n  “If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ yet hates his brother, he is a liar.  For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen” (4:20).

 

-           Furthermore, the dark life of sin of a liar is loving the world or the things of the world: “Do not love the world or anything in the world.  If anyone loves the world, the love of God the Father is not in him.  For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.  The world and its desires pass away, but the one who does the will of God lives forever” (2:15–17).

 

n  “False prophets belong to the world and speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them” (4:5, Modern Korean Translation).

 

-           In addition, the dark life of sin of a liar is denying that Jesus is the Christ: “Who is the liar? Is it not the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ?” (v. 22a).

 

·          When we consider the phrase “all kinds of evil” [“all kinds of evil things” (Korean Revised Version)] in Matthew 5:11, we are led to think of Christians who follow Jesus Christ being unjustly criticized, persecuted, slandered, and made the object of all kinds of false accusations and malicious gossip by the world (cf. Internet).

 

-           Here, “all kinds of evil words” (v. 11) include all harmful and negative language such as insults, defamation, slander, gossip, and false accusations (Internet).

 

n  Even if, simply because we believe in Jesus, the people of the world come to hate and persecute us, distort our lives, and even bring false charges against us, we must preserve our faith and endure in the midst of such suffering. If we do so, God will bless us (cf. internet).

 

(vi)            Finally, sixth, because of Jesus, people will reject us by calling our name evil [“Because of the Son of Man, when people … reject you and treat your name as evil …” (Lk. 6:22)].

 

·          Here, the Greek word translated “reject,” ἐκβάλλω (ekballō), was used to describe driving an actor off the stage.  Therefore, for the disciples of Christ to be rejected as evil means, as often happened in the early church, to be made objects of contempt and ridicule and ultimately to be cast out to the point of imprisonment, trial, and even execution (Hochma).

 

-           Those of us who believe in Jesus may be criticized, shunned, and rejected by the people of the world, who label us as “evil” or “wrong,” because of our identity as Christians or because we believe in and follow Jesus (Internet).

 

n  Such rejection and being cast out, however, actually proves that we are citizens of the kingdom of God (citizens of heaven), and this will become a spiritual blessing and a source of great joy! (cf. Internet)

 

(c)    Thus, when because of Jesus we are hated, insulted, ostracized (rejected), persecuted, spoken against with all kinds of evil lies, and even cast aside, Jesus says this to us: “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets” (Mt. 5:12).

 

(i)               Even in the 21st century, Christians are being persecuted.  To suffer hardship or persecution because of faith in Jesus is a blessing.  The reasons are these: First, persecuted Christians participate in the suffering of Jesus on the cross.  Second, through suffering and persecution, their faith is purified.  Third, suffering and persecution become occasions through which Christians experience more deeply the presence of God and the comfort and power of the Holy Spirit.  Jesus says that those who are persecuted for righteousness (justice, what is right) are blessed. In other words, to be persecuted because of Jesus means that, because of our life of faith—believing in Jesus and living as His followers—we are insulted by the people of the world, persecuted, and falsely spoken against with all kinds of evil words.  At such times, we should rejoice and be glad. The reason is that our reward in heaven will be great (v. 12).  We should rejoice and be glad when we are persecuted for righteousness.  When we are insulted and persecuted because of Jesus, we should rejoice and be glad, because our reward in heaven will be great.

 

·          This is something I wrote on August 7, 2016, while reading Pastor Iain M. Duguid’s book Hero of Heroes, under the title “Christians Who Are Persecuted for Righteousness …”, as I meditated on Matthew 5:10, which says, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

 

Christians Who Are Persecuted for Righteousness …

1.      They know that being persecuted because of Jesus is a blessing to them (Mt. 5:11).  Therefore, even when they are persecuted, they rejoice and are glad (v. 12).

 

2.      They participate in the sufferings of Jesus (Rev. 1:9).  Like Jesus, they learn obedience through suffering (Heb. 5:8).

 

3.      They receive and enjoy the benefits of suffering (Ps. 119:71).  They know that it is God’s will to suffer for doing good (1 Pet. 3:17).  Through suffering, they turn back from the wrong path and keep the Lord’s word (Ps. 119:67).

 

4.      They long for the future glory that cannot be compared with present suffering (Rom. 8:18).  They look to the great reward in heaven (Mt. 5:12).  Therefore, they prefer to suffer with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin in this world (Heb. 11:25).

 

-             Therefore, I would like to say not “because of Jesus,” but “thanks to Jesus.” This is something I wrote on August 30, 2019, under the title “Today Again, I Am Happy ‘Thanks to You’!”: “Use the expression ‘thanks to’ rather than ‘because of.’  The reason is that ‘because of’ expresses complaint and resentment rooted in dissatisfaction, whereas ‘thanks to’ expresses satisfaction and gratitude. Today again, I am happy ‘thanks to you’!  Truly, I am happy ‘thanks to Jesus’!”