Lesson 22: Enduring in suffering
2 Timothy 1:8-12 - www.bible.com/bible/59/2ti.1

8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,
9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,
10 and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,
11 for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher,
12 which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me.

Enduring in suffering is one of the hardest things God asks of us. Our human bodies want to be free of suffering, and often tell us there has to be a better way of serving God than this. But Jesus’ words in John 16:33 promise us we WILL suffer in this world. We do not, however, need to be defeated in suffering because Jesus also says we should be of good cheer for He has already overcome the world.


Then, if He has already overcome the world, why can’t we live in peace and health and all the things we think victory should be? We find this clearly answered in John chapters 14 through 17. Simply stated, this world is in the kingdom of Satan for now. Even though his defeat was accomplished by Jesus on the cross and guaranteed by Jesus’ resurrection, the battle is not yet over. It won’t be over until the events we read in Revelation 20-21 happen as God destroys this creation and makes a new one where sin will not be allowed. Then why does Jesus make us live in this world where sin still rules? One of God’s purposes is to show everyone (including every human and every angel ever created) sin can never accomplish anything good. We who are children of God live in this world not to make a name for ourselves or even to live a good life – we live here to join this battle against sin and bring as many other people to heaven with us as we possibly can. Understand, WE cannot bring them to heaven, but by our faithful witness and testimony we are used of God to change their lives so they also accept Jesus as their Savior. As we learn to suffer for Jesus with joy and patience and endurance, we display to those around us a thing they can never achieve in their own strength. Then joy comes, for we can say with Paul, “I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me.”

*Are you familiar with the story of Job in the Old Testament? Read Job chapters 1 and 2 to learn about a man who suffered terribly. Job never knew why he suffered (although God reveals the reason to us), but he chose to glorify God in his suffering, even with no Bible to read or support from his wife and friends. How does the book of Job encourage you in your times of suffering?