As I listened to the opening of Voice of the Martyrs radio, Todd Nettleton said anything worthwhile will include suffering and hardship.

SUFFERING FROM SIN
I suffer a lot from my sin (also after forgiveness).
As I read and listen to Voice of the Martyrs, I wonder if I have any suffering because of Jesus—maybe I don’t see it—maybe just as well ?

Todd Nettleton said suffering from persecution makes life harder in the short run.
This is also true when God takes us to His ‘woodshed’ for correction.
“No chastening for the present seems joyous, but grievous; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to them who are exercised thereby.”

For most of us the following verse applies, so far:
“You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood, striving against sin.”
What if our suffering from sin changed to striving against sin, like those who are suffering persecution ?

REPERCUSSIONS FROM REPENTANCE
When you get specific—identify sin and call it SIN, in your heart and in conversation, and not refer to it as ‘mistakes’, it may not be smooth sailing to get past it, like you thought when you got into it.

Call it SIN in your heart—
There will be internal wrestling, to see the seriousness of sin, of your sin.
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

Call it SIN in conversation—
There will be impact from others who are unsupportive, who disagree, who are uncomfortable with you talking, confessing your sin—because it may be convicting in their own lives.
Nobody wants to admit SIN.
“Confess your faults one to another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed.”

– – –

Now, going farther, getting beyond the consequences of our sins—SUFFERING FROM OUR SINS,

and

beyond the impact of resisting and turning from our sins—REPERCUSSIONS FROM REPENTANCE,

to

a “higher plane” of “pressing on the upward way” . . .

What most Christians never get straight (because we never hear about it)—
—If we really seek a closer walk with Jesus, to live totally sold out to Him, life will not get easier (easier in ways people around us expect)—life will likely get harder.

Jesus said a lot of hard things.
Jesus promised, guaranteed, His followers a lot of hard things—
– trouble
– self-denial
– hatred
– persecution
– chastening (correction along the way)
– hard life
– warfare (spiritual, that sometimes spills over into . . .)

“In this world you will have tribulation (trouble), but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world.”
“If anyone comes after Me (follows by choice*), let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me.”
“You will be hated by all people because of Me.”
“All who live Godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.”
“He whom the Lord loves, He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.”
“Endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.”

How far do I really want to follow Jesus ?
How far do I want to follow everything He said ?

“I’m pressing on the upward way,
New heights I’m gaining every day.
But still I’ll pray till heaven I’ve found,
‘Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.’

‘Lord, lift me up and let me stand
By faith on heaven’s table land.
A higher plane than I have found;
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.'”

– – –

*Choice—
What do the following have in common ?
– Punishment
– Persecution
– Sacrifice
All three involve suffering.
– With Punishment, you suffer, and it’s your fault.
– With Persecution, you suffer, and it’s not your fault.
– With Sacrifice, you suffer, and it’s your choice.

What have I sacrificed lately for Jesus ?