May 3 – The fellowship of His suffering

Again, Paul wrote,
“That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, ­­and the fellowship of His sufferings, …” Philippians 3v10 (King James Bible)
“… and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, …” Philippians 3v10 (New International Version)
“… and that I may so share His sufferings…” Philippians 3v10 (Amplified Version)

What did Paul mean by wanting to know the fellowship of His – Jesus’ – sufferings? For indeed Jesus did say “it is finished,” so what could the Apostle Paul be referring to?

We see in 1 Peter 4v12 & 13:
“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.”

It may come in different ways, persecutions and trials that come about because You believe in Jesus, because You are identified as a Christian, because You have the mind of Christ, because the Spirit of the One who raised Christ from the dead dwells on the inside of You, because of the Greater One in You, because of Your identification with the God of love who exercises lovingkindness, judgment and righteousness, in the earth, for in lovingkindness, judgment and righteousness does He delight. When you suffer, then rejoice, for it shall be well with you, the least they can defeat is the body, not the soul.

Have a blessed day.

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Verses for thought:
“If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part He is evil spoken of, but on your part He is glorified.” 1 Peter 4v14

“But the God of all grace, who hath called us into His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” 1 Peter 5v10