And if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. (ESV)
This means that we cannot escape some of the struggles Jesus endured during his three-year ministry — challenges such as temptation, loss, and betrayal. He is meant to be the example of how to overcome these adversities, as his human weaknesses were tested and he remained without sin (Hebrews 4:15).
God is well aware of our fallen nature because he created us; therefore, he’s well aware that we will often fall short of the standard Jesus set. Personally, I’m glad that our Father understands this about his children so well. What we must remember, though, is that we must endure the cross and the shame, just like Jesus (Hebrews 12:2).
Consider Matthew 16:24, which reads
Then Jesus told his disciples, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.' (ESV)
Taking Up Our Cross
Taking up our cross seems like a tall order, but it’s not. Remember, Jesus did it. Jesus died a literal death for our freedom; God simply requires that we die to ourselves in a spiritual sense. As marketplace ministers, this looks like dying to self-ambition and putting on Christ’s ambition. This looks like doing what God instructs in the workplace and allowing him to provide financial increase, elevation, and even vindication when necessary.
Our desire to chase Jesus should be pure, without any vain attempts at worldly gain. We lay down everything that could separate us from his love until our heart for others, our heart for God, looks like his.
Following Jesus
Choosing to be a true Christ-follower doesn’t come without some suffering and pain. Sufferings are a part of the human condition. Jesus experienced them, and Romans 8 even mentions that our suffering is minuscule compared to the glory that will be revealed to us (v.18).
Testing, trials, and tribulations are unavoidable, but the question we must ask ourselves is will we remain in the hands of Father even when times are hard. I often consider the story of Job and all he endured. Job truly loved God. He prayed for himself and his wayward children, and still, calamity struck — Job lost virtually everything. Through his great time of trial and testing, Job still trusted God. There is a Scripture in Job that I at times cling to when I am experiencing testing; it is Job 13:15, which reads
Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him. (KJV)
To follow Jesus is to understand that difficulties will come. In fact, perhaps even more so because the enemy wants to steal our hope in him. But we must decide to have a resolute mind to serve Christ, no matter what. It is only when we accept all the conditions of this life through him that we can inherit the kingdom with him.
Featured photo by BBC Creative on Unsplash; in-text photo by Pixabay on Pexels
Have You Taken a Marketplace Mission Trip Yet?
Follower of One offers a free two-week Marketplace Mission Trip online. It is meant to mirror a mission trip that you would take to another country, except you get in your car (or log into your computer) each day and go to work. You will have a chance to meet with your fellow Mission Trip participants at the beginning, during, and at the end of the Mission Trip to share amazing testimonies of how the Lord has moved in the lives of others THROUGH YOU. If you want to commit to being used by God, sign up for the next Marketplace Mission Trip here.
