Christ did not suffer because of sin in His personality, as we do. Nevertheless the Scripture states that the Son of God learned obedience by the things He suffered. Now the Father has entrusted Him with all authority in Heaven and on the earth.

We will reign with Christ if we also suffer, for suffering makes us obedient to God if we receive the suffering in the right manner, not becoming rebellious but rather praying and waiting patiently for the Lord. Tribulation creates patience in our personality if we keep on trusting God.

If we suffer under the hand of God, then, when Christ is revealed, we will rejoice with Him, entering His joy. But if we are not willing to suffer but dodge and flee from every test, we never will rule with Christ. We will be ashamed before Him at His appearing.

If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. (I Peter 4:15—NIV)

The above kind of suffering is different from the suffering that saves us. The suffering that comes on people, Christian or not, who are murderers or thieves or some other kind of criminal, is not a suffering that saves but a punishment for the wicked behavior they are exhibiting.

Most Christians are not murderers but multitudes of them are gossips, slanderers, meddlers, continually criticizing and causing division and bitterness. Sooner or later they receive the fruit of their behavior. This is not a suffering that saves but a suffering that punishes.

Suffering that saves is tribulation, or chastening—a baptism with fire. Suffering that punishes is wrath. It is not redemptive.

Christians are extremely concerned about going through the great tribulation. They ought to be more concerned about the hour of temptation. Temptation lures us away from the Presence of God but tribulation makes us a partaker of His holiness so one day we may dwell with Jesus Christ in the Center of the Consuming Fire.

For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? (I Peter 4:17—NIV)

The Judgment Seat of Christ began as soon as Christ was raised from the dead and took His place at the right hand of the Father in Heaven.

You can think of Divine judgment proceeding outward from the Father in concentric circles.

First God perfected His Son, the King.

In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. (Hebrews 2:10—NIV)

Next in order come the coheirs of the Kingdom.

Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. (Romans 8:17—NIV)

As soon as the Lord sees that the full complement of sons have been saved from sin and self-will to God's satisfaction He will return with them and establish His Kingdom on the earth.

To be continued.