Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet
The apostle Paul had a desire to be a part of "the fellowship of the sufferings of Christ."
Paul said: Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: 5Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; 6Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. 7But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
9And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; Phil. 3
Each of us who belong to Christ suffer with HIM.
We suffer each time we see evil. We suffer when we know the Word of God and see people (especially church people) who are going in a way opposite to the Word of God on the issue.
Don't we suffer over the many remarriages after divorce today? Do we approve these? God forbid. There are many church doctrines set up to approve remarriage after divorce but those of us who are of God will be troubled and we will hold to the scriptures on the matter without explaining them away as many churches do today. (Please read: Divorce/remarriage: What the Bible teaches.)
Each time we hold to the way of God, resisting other ways, we enter into the suffering of the cross of Christ. For people will reject us and speak evil of us when we do this. Even people in the church groups will strike out against us.
David said: Psa. 55 ... For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him: 13But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance. 14We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company.
It is especially hard when it is someone from a church group who strikes out against you.
But this is just a part of suffering for the sake of the Word of God as Jesus suffered. Peter explains it to us in I Peter 3 ... But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; 15But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
16Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. 17For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts ... we return to God in prayer and focus on that which God has shown us about the subject. We choose to believe that which God has said and we cling to that.
I Peter 4 ... Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; 2That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. 3For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:
4Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: 5Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. 6For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
Peter also told us not to think some strange thing has happened when they strike out against us after we speak the Word of God. (This happens often in church groups when you speak the word of God.)
I Peter 4 ... Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 14If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. 15But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters. 16Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
Jesus explained it as follows: Lk. 6 ... Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. 23Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.
When a divorced woman in Pam's church group was planning to remarry, Pam went to her with the scripture showing this woman she would commit adultery if she remarried. The woman said to Pam, "I don't care what the Bible says ..."
Then Pam went to the man who was planning to marry this divorced woman and showed him the scripture.
Then Pam went to a bridesmaid and showed her the scripture. The bridesmaid said she knew it would be wrong but if she didn't participate someone else would. (What an amazing explanation ... to go along with wrong anyway?)
The single's class at this church group turned against Pam. At first Pam didn't understand. Then a woman in the church group came to Pam and told her God knew she was suffering because she did HIS will in this matter.
When we hear of such sufferings, we shouldn't say, "I'm so sorry they did this to you." What we should feel is great joy, for this shows Pam belongs to God and she will have great reward in heaven! Lk. 6: Jesus said "Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy."