"How Do I Respond to All the Suffering?" :: Suffer

In the introduction to this small series we briefly looked at the persecution of Christians throughout the world. We noted that we who do not undergo such persecution need to respond in some way to the knowledge of the persecution of our brothers and sisters around the globe. However, often we find ourselves not knowing where to begin with our response. In this post we will deal with the first response. Our first response to this persecution is to suffer. This may not make much sense to you right now, but let me unpack it for you.
This response is not just something I made up in my head. It’s not something I wrote because it sounds good. This is a response to persecution that comes directly from the scriptures (all three of the responses I will give come directly from the Bible). Take a look at 1 Corinthians 12:12-13, 1 Corinthians 12:26-27.

(12)  For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.  (13)  For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body–Jews or Greeks, slaves or free–and all were made to drink of one Spirit… (26)  If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.  (27)  Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. (1 Corinthians 12:12-13, 26-27 ESV)

So we see this wonderful picture of a body. And Paul says that this body is made up of many parts. Paul also tells us that this body that he is speaking of is called the body of Christ. He also continues to tell us that each one of us individually is a member of this body and we form one body. Then, in verse 26, we are told that when one member of the body suffers we all suffer along with it.

Let me illustrate what Paul is talking about using his illustration of a body. If you have ever stubbed your toe you are going to know exactly what I am talking about here. When you stub your little toe you have to change some things about the way you walk. You might start walking on the inside of your foot to relieve some of the pressure from the toe that is injured or suffering from the pain. After a day of walking on the inside of your foot your ankle begins to hurt because it has been twisted the wrong way because you are walking on your foot wrong. Eventually maybe your knee begins to hurt and then you low back, etc… All because your little toe is suffering. So when one member of the body suffers, the whole body suffers along with it. It is the same way with the Body of Christ. But what does it look like with the Body of Christ? I will give you two practical ways that you are able to suffer along side of those who are undergoing persecution because they are followers of Jesus (don’t limit it to these two ideas, if the Holy Spirit is leading you to do something in response to the persecution then do it!).

1. Encourage and Exhort
One idea that is conveyed in this passage is the idea of alleviating some of the pressure, pain, and suffering when one part of the body suffers. Just like when you stub your little toe you begin walking in the inside of your foot to alleviate the pressure on your little toe, you can help alleviate some of the pressure of believers who are being persecuted or are in prison. One very simple way to do this is something called Prisoner Alert. On their website you are able to view profiles of people who are currently in prison because of their faith in Jesus. You are also able to send them letters through their website. I would highly encourage using this amazing resource so you are able to suffer along with those who are suffering by alleviating some of the pressure they are going through

2. Fill The Void
Another way that you could possibly suffer with those that are suffering is by going and replacing someone who has been martyred. This may sound a little extreme but someone has to do it. Do not doubt that God would call someone that is reading this to go to a country that faces persecution and fill in a role that has been vacated by martyrdom. Do not doubt that God could be calling YOU to that very purpose.
Again, those are just two ways that I can think of that you could suffer along with those that are suffering like we are commanded to do in 1 Corinthians 12. My prayer is that the American church would step up to the plate and put some of this in practice. I pray that we would not be able to ignore those who are suffering all around the world for the very same things that we claim to believe.
Next time we will discuss how we can biblically pray for the persecuted.

Testifying of the gospel of the grace of God,
Robbie
Acts 20:24

SERIES NAVIGATION
Introduction
Part 1 | Suffer
Part 2 | Pray
Part 3 | Rejoice