Philippians 1.29 promises, it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him.

The church has been pretty good at making believers but not too good at making suffering servants. Too many Christians think their faith and thus their salvation is about them instead of seeing their faith and their salvation being about God.

It was God Who moved first, out of love, sacrificing Himself in order to purchase for Himself a people for His own glory, praise and honor. These people, we who believe, bring God glory, honor and praise, through our worship and our obedience. We submit ourselves to the One True God Who lives as King of kings and Lord of lords, now at the right hand of God the Father Almighty but someday to reign and rule on a new earth before all those who have been purchased by His blood.

These redeemed have also suffered with Him in the work of building His kingdom. They suffered through the scorn, harassment, disdain and even death from the hands of men who reject God. They suffered by denying their flesh the pleasures of their body instead choosing obedience to God and giving pleasure to His Spirit. If we are not suffering for Christ we are probably not in Christ.

The devil believes but suffers not in the work of building God’s kingdom for God’s glory in order to live with Him forever. True believers are true laborers in His harvest field that is ripe for winning and discipling men in obedience to all Jesus commanded us.