As children of God and followers of Christ our greatest impact to His glory in this world is our testimony through suffering. That is where He receives the greatest glory. It is when we praise Him through our storms – our valleys. His word says, “It is impossible to please God without faith.” Unwavering faith through suffering is the strength of our testimony. Love is important. But, loving people who love you does not bring glory to God. Jesus loved us even though we despised Him, hated Him, beat Him, cursed Him, and crucified Him. We need to love each other through the hate and the hurt. That’s the kind of love He has commanded us to present.
This may be hard to accept, but if you are comfortable, relaxed, and have many pleasurable activities in your life, you are not a good candidate for “Kingdom work.” If you fear God above all things and are faithful, humble, merciful, rejoice in truth and righteousness, confident and loving, excited, free, willing to sacrifice and ready to fast – Jesus is calling. The cross that each of us has to bear weighs differently for each believer. Some are called to poverty and destitution as their witness, even greater still, some are called to martyrdom. It is a price that every follower of Christ must be willing to pay the moment they make Jesus lord of their lives.
Doing great things for God require great sacrifices! Children of this world are willing to sacrifice a little, but not enough to bring about personal suffering. The “Me Equation” must not enter into any action or decision for a kingdom worker. It must be God’s way or “be still and know!” I believe our Lord gave a great warning to His ministers and pastors in His parable in Luke 12; “47 “That servant who knows his master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what his master wants will be beaten with many blows. 48 But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” This is the sacrifice “Kingdom” work requires.
Adrian Rogers said a faith untested is not trustworthy. Suffering tests and strengthens our faith in Jesus. David said it best in Psalm 23, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” I believe David’s faith was tested up until the day he died. He suffered, he cried, he mourned, he stumbled but through it all he trusted the Lord to deliver him. Not only did Jesus deliver him but he also exalted David as an icon for His true worshippers.