I have written about wearing the badge of Christ proudly. This morning I was brought back to the same passage in 1 Peter and found that it more than wearing the badge of Christ and being proud to do so. I have to know that it is all part of the design.
“13But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.” — 1 Peter 4:13 (ESV)
For all the suffering that comes with belonging to Christ, there is also rejoicing that comes as well. I have to remember that the suffering is for the rejoicing. I am here to do the work of Christ. I have already been promised my reward and it is great. I get to be a part of the glory of God. And that glory is, well, it comes after much suffering that I signed up for.
Christ suffered in His ministry. He was ridiculed, defamed, and then beaten and crucified. And yet, He continued as it was all as designed by God. He was designed by God. He was tasked by God. He was rewarded by God. I am part of the same. I am designed by God. I am tasked by God. I am rewarded by God. All of me and what I do is designed by God.
In that I am in like kind with Christ, I am also to continue on like He. I am to do the work, knowing that there will be suffering. And then in the same time, I have to remember that my reward has already been determined.
I do the work and reap the reward, not from this world but from God. I belong to Christ and not this world and so whether I am deemed a success or failure in this world, as I have done the work of God, I am seem as a success in the only one that matters, GOD.
Belonging to Christ is a duty and an honor. I cannot pay back all that was given as there is no way to pay back the fact that someone died so that I can live. What I can do is continue to do the work that I am tasked with, by design, and know that all is well thanks to by belonging to Christ.
What are your thoughts on belonging to Christ? Do you feel like you should only have the good that comes? What if you just accepted the honor of belonging to Him and then accepted that you have work to do and that the end result is already determined and your reward is already won?
Trevor's Thoughts 