Are We Called to a Life of Suffering?

In 1 Peter 2:19-21 it says this: "For it is commendable if you bear up under the pain of unjust suffering because you are conscious of God. But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps."


If you read the verses before this it is talking about servants submitting themselves to their masters. Yet, aren't we all servants of God? This then brings up the question of: Does that mean we are to suffer as His servants as well? When we look in scripture and at these verses specifically, the answer is clearly Yes. So why is it that many believe that we are not called to this very thing? Bruce Archer believes the reason is this: "The way I see it, most Christians in America have had a watered-down, distorted presentation of the gospel given to them in the first place. This watered-down gospel then produces watered-down living. This is a kind of living that seeks the prosperity and comfort of the new believer. The focus is all on what Jesus can do for me, or how I will benefit in this life by believing in Jesus." 


Over the past year, I have learned that we are not called to live comfortable lives if we desire to be disciples of Christ. But something I've really been learning is that He has called us to suffer as well. If we look at Paul's example in Philippians, we read that he desired to suffer for the gospel: "I want to know Christ-yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead (3:10-11)." If we were to look at the disciples in the book of Acts, we see much suffering, but also rejoicing from the suffering they endured! "The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name (5:41)." And the most important example is Jesus Christ himself, who suffered and was crucified to redeem our unworthy souls. In this, he set the example for us as it says in 1 Peter 2:21: "To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps." I feel that this is a critical verse in the New Testament because the word "example", or  ὑπογραμμὸν (hupogrammon) in Greek, is only used this one time. If it is only used one time throughout the New Testament, wouldn't it obviously be important? Christ not only suffered on the cross for us, but to set an example for us to follow. 


It is also crucial for us to know that Christ did not call us to live a lukewarm life, but to deny ourselves and pick up our cross DAILY and follow him (Luke 9:23). It can be seen in Revelation how God truly feels about lukewarm Christians: "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm-neither hot nor cold-I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see (3:15-18)." 


I don't want my life to be comfortable. When God calls us to go, He doesn't mean go only if you feel like it. He means: "Go. Now. Because I called you to go. I'm calling you into the darkness to suffer for my name. If you love me, you will rejoice in this. Rejoice in trials and temptations because I am making you into what I want you to be through perseverance. I am with you to the ends of the earth. You must remember, I am sending you out as sheep into a pack of ferocious wolves. But do not worry, for I am your shield. This way is the only way to me, to love me with a consuming fire. Now go and be my disciples." 


If we do not go to all nations, how will they ever know?