Chapter Summary: We will have to suffer in ways that Christ did. We should lean on each other and stay committed to doing good.
Verses 1-6
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Christ suffered also to show us that we must suffer the discomforts of resisting temptation, turning away from sin, and even being persecuted for it (Hebrews 12:3).
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To be truly finished with sin will mean suffering. If you aren't willing to suffer, you aren't fully repenting.
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We lived in sin as unbelievers, and we know that nothing good ever came from it. Now live your life to obey God!
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And don't worry about people who think you're weird for saying no to sin. God will deal with them.
Verses 7-11
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Your prayers are important, so treat them like they're important. Be serious about praying, and stay awake and focused when you pray.
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More than anything, cultivate a passionate love for your fellow believers.
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To start, do selfless acts for others with a good attitude, and this will build the love that you will come to have for them in your heart.
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1. This can begin with opening your home to others and feeding them. If you want to love and serve well, start with using your home.
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Do this without complaining, and your love will grow.
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2. Another way to be loving is to use your gifts, which are given to you by God, to serve others.
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Serving others involves using your skills, abilities, and resources for the benefit of others.
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If you can help others in more physical works, then do so. Do what you are able to do.
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This is the ability which God has supplied you with.
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If you can help others in what you speak, for instance, speak well! Speak from God's Word.
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Do your best to speak what the Word and the Spirit instruct you to speak. Don't speak from your feelings or impulses.
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Also, speak as one who represents God well. Understand that if you are not able to conduct yourself in a trustworthy or honest manner that your word will not mean anything to anyone. Be obeying the Word in your life, and then people will regard your word as that which comes from an “oracle of God”.
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Verses 12-16
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Don't be surprised if you are mistreated for your faith.
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Instead, be happy when you're persecuted, and you will bring glory to God.
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The more you suffer for Christ, the more like Christ you are, and thus the closer with Him you will be (Philippians 3:10).
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Everyone suffers. You can choose to suffer for doing good or for doing evil. Which do you prefer?
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As a believer, always choose to suffer for doing good, and don't be caught suffering the consequences of sin.
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Verses 17-19
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Remember that even believers will experience some of God's judgment.
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Some of the suffering we experience today, and the suffering that we will experience later, is part of God's judgment, and it's for our benefit (Hebrews 12:3-6,11).
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But what unbelievers will have to suffer will be far worse. In great wrath they will be punished.
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Today, we are appointed by God to suffer (Philippians 1:29). But remember that God is a faithful Creator. All that He does is for your good.
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So, to show that you are surrendered to God's will, and that you trust Him, continue to do what is good no matter how hard it might feel.
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If you sin, you show that you do not trust Him.
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