Armored for Suffering
The following is an adapted excerpt from The Christian in Complete Armour.
The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be
compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
Romans 8:18
Suffering for Christ
For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only
to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake.
Philippians 1:29
All the abilities and common gifts that a man has will never enable him to drink deep of this bitter cup for Christ; such is the pride of man's heart, he had rather suffer any way than this; rather from himself, and for himself, than from Christ, or for Christ.
Most men are more tender of their skin than of their conscience; and had rather the gospel had provided armor to defend their bodies from death and danger, than their souls from sin and Satan.
All the pieces of armor are to defend the Christian from sin; none are to secure him from suffering. Here is the true reason why so few come at the beat of Christ's drum to His standard, and so many of those few that have enlisted themselves by an external profession under Him, within a while drop away, and leave His colors: it is suffering work they are sick of.
Sufferings for the gospel are no matter of shame. Paul does not blush to tell, that it is for the gospel he is in bonds. The shame belonged to those who put on the chain, not to him who wore it.
If anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be
ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name.
1 Peter 4:16
The apostles rejoiced that "they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name" (Acts 5:41). Shall the wicked glory in their shame, and you be ashamed of your glory?
Heaven is but little worth if you have not a heart to despise a little shame and bear a few taunts from profane Ishmaels for your hopes of it. Let them spit on your face; Christ will wipe it off; let them laugh; you will win glory in the end.
Fear not what you can suffer, only be careful for what you suffer. Christ's cross is made of sweet wood; there are comforts peculiar to those who suffer for righteousness. The true cause of Paul's sufferings was his zeal for God and His truth; "For which I am in bonds" (Col. 4:3).
Blessing through suffering
Persecution does but mow the church, which afterward comes up the thicker for it; it is unholiness which ruins the church. Persecutors do but plough God's field for Him, while He is sowing it with the blood that they let out. Few are made better by prosperity, whom afflictions make worse. He who will sin, though he goes in pain, will much more if the pain is gone.
Prepared for suffering
The proverb is: He who would learn to pray, let him go to sea. But I think it were better thus: He who would go to sea (this I mean of suffering) let him learn to pray before he comes there.
Christian, suffering may overtake you suddenly; therefore, be ready shod. Sometimes orders come to soldiers for a sudden march; they must be gone as soon as the drum beats. And so may you be called out, before you are aware, to suffer for God or from God.
Meet the author:
William Gurnall
William Gurnall (1616-1679) was a scholar, rector, and priest in England in the 17th century. He ministered during very tumultuous times. During all the political and religious upheavals of his time, he preached a series on spiritual warfare. This series was eventually published as a book titled The Christian in Complete Armour.
“If I might read only one book beside the Bible, I would choose The Christian in Complete Armour.”
—John Newton
