OUR SUFFERINGS ARE FOR THE GREATER GOOD

OUR SUFFERINGS ARE FOR THE GREATER GOOD

June 10,, 2023

   By Rev.Michael Benson Ajayi

   Matt 20:23“And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.”

    The Greek word for the phrase ‘ye shall drink’ is “pino”  it means to “imbibe” " It means: to receive into the mind and retain as moral principles, assimilate or take into solution like a sponge absorbs moisture _  Merriam-Webster dictionary . As Christ’s disciples, we will indeed be plunged into the same sufferings that He experienced.

         Suffering is part of the Christian life, it is caused by(1) God (trials)(2)Self: as a consequence of disobedience and(3) Satan(temptation). Regardless of its origin sufferings end up working out for our greater good .

      In Matthew 20:17-25, the disciples had imagined Jesus’ kingdom on earth that encouraged celebrity status but they were surprised to learn that it was not God’s will for us to exercise dominion over our fellow man .The dominion theology  results in covetousness, rebellion and disunity in families. Dominion doctrine  is behind the political instability and poverty of  the African Continent unlike in Asia where family ties and honor is promoted over dominion , that's why African and American  churches struggle for acceptance there because dominion  is not based on God's love, Dominion thrives on hate . Love does not dominate . We are called to serve, Matt 20:25-28 KJV says “Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them .But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: ....” It is the quest to dominate that's behind the failure in the family system. 

     Dominion theology exploits the weak resulting in widespread sufferings. King Solomon’s wisdom was tainted with this through his luxurious lifestyle at the expense of the poor(1kings11:1-9) with his subjects praying for deliverance from painful levies (1kings12:8-18) as it is in many religious centers today. True worship demands simplicity with pure motives.  

      Praying with wrong motives with an unrepentant heart results in painful trials . (James 4:2,3. Jer. 5:25) therefore ,true repentance is a condition for deliverance. 

     Sometimes repentance results in persecution for one's faith in Christ and that is when we develop Christian character. It is like squeezing grapes to produce wine ,troubles brings out the best in us. God’s power is easily made manifest in times of sufferings: we should be willing to suffer like Jesus did (Phil 3:10). If men hated Jesus for his righteousness they will hate us too , however , there is an eternal consolation in all this, Rom 8:18-19 says” Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later”. 

Prayer : Heavenly Father forgive me of my sins against you I believe Jesus Christ died and was raised again for my salvation I receive him as lord and saviour and receive the Holy Spirit and grace  to overcome trials and tribulations in Jesus name. 

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email: michaelbensonajayi@gmail.com 

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