“For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.” 1 Peter 2:20. 

We can suffer or undergo pain, distress, or hardship for many reasons. But what does it mean to suffer for Christ’s sake?   Sake in Greek means on behalf of or in support of. Therefore, suffering for Christ is on behalf or in support of His atoning work and salvation for all mankind; we suffer for Christ’s sake when we spread the gospel message and endure persecutions and afflictions that may follow.

The apostle Paul spoke of his own zeal and steadfastness in ministry for Christ’s sake. “For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” 2 Corinthians 4:5-6.

As ambassadors for Christ our message must be Christ centered and not self-centered; our experiences must point to the cross. Even in the midst sufferings, we forge on for the up building of God’s kingdom.

Saul, whose name was changed to Paul, is a great example for us all. He successfully submitted his will to God’s. The apostle Paul’s teaching became more pronounced because of his life changing encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. He taught for Jesus’ sake not only in suffering persecution but also by suffering internally as he mentally struggled to consistently bring his will into subjection to the Lords’.

God’s amazing grace and power gives every born-again believer the courage, strength, and tenacity to run this race as His effective witnesses. “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;” 2 Corinthians 4:7-8.

Finally, we can stand strong in the power of Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:58 admonishes us “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”  In the midst of pain, distress, or hardship we can be assured in all that God has done and will do for us “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” Romans 8:37.

God blessings and peace to all…remain steadfast in the faith.