Christians are meant to have the same vocation as their King, that of cross-bearers. It is this conscience of a high calling and of partnership with Jesus which brings gladness in tribulations, which makes Christians enter prisons for their faith with the joy of a bridegroom entering the bridal room.
Interpretation
Christians share a divine calling that empowers them to endure suffering with joy.
This quote emphasizes the notion that Christians are called to emulate the sacrifices of Christ, bearing their own burdens with a sense of purpose and joy even in difficult circumstances. It underscores the idea that faith provides strength and happiness, allowing believers to face hardships with a spirit of celebration rather than despair, highlighting the profound connection they share with their faith and the figure of Jesus.
In practice
In a sermon about perseverance, one might say, 'As Richard Wurmbrand noted, Christians are meant to bear their crosses with joy, even in the face of adversity.'
There was once a fiddler who played so beauitully that everybody danced. A deaf man who could not hear the music considered them all insane. Those who are with Jesus in suffering hear this music to which other men are deaf. They dance and do not care if they are considered insane.
Some tell me Preach the pure gospel! This reminds me that the Communist secret police also told me to preach Christ, but not to mention communism. Is it really so, that those who are for what is called a pure gospel are inspired by the same spirit as those of the Communist secret police?
It was strictly forbidden to preach to other prisoners. It was understood that whoever was caught doing this received a severe beating. A number of us decided to pay the price for the privilege of preaching, so we accepted their [the communists' ] terms. It was a deal; we preached and they beat us. We were happy preaching. They were happy beating us, so everyone was happy.
God will judge us not according to how much we endured, but how much we could love
A faith that can be destroyed by suffering is not faith.
A man really believes not what he recites in his creed, but only the things he is ready to die for.
I believe God has heard my prayers. He will make it manifest in His own good time that He has heard me. I have recorded my petitions that when God has answered them, His name will be glorified.
Faith is unutterable trust in God, trust which never dreams that He will not stand by us.
One of the most wonderful things about being a Christian is that I don't ever get up in the morning and wonder if what I do matters. I live every day to the fullest because I can live it through Christ and I know no matter what I do today, I'm going to do something to advance the Kingdom of God.
We often can't see what God is doing in our lives, but God sees the whole picture and His plan for us clearly.
God has proven himself as a faithful father. Now it falls to us to be trusting children.
Our faith is concentrated in the Son of God, and through him in the Father; and the Holy Ghost is their minister to bring truths to our remembrance, to reveal new truths to us, and teach, guide, and direct the course of every mind, until we become perfected and prepared to go home, where we can see and converse with our Father in Heaven.
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