Hope in Christ

When face troubles or persecutions or tribulation we as believers should not ask “WHY”

John 16:33 In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world.

“Tribulation” 

 – Jesus tells them plainly that the disciplesh is not one of ease and pleasure and success in this world.

Christ never promised any of His believers that they would escape tribulation or distress.

He warned them of persecution and death for His sake 

( John 15:18-19

If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you).

I Pet 4:1,2 ( Christ suffered to free us from sin in our fight against sin.

Christ dies to sin; believers should recognize their union with Christ and the fact that in Christ they too have dies to sin.

We are to live not fulfill our desires but to do God’s will.

His faithful servants must follow Him in this and preach the same truth as He did.

I Pet 4:12 (Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you).

“Take courage” – They were encouraged, confident, and fearless because of two things:

In the midst of troubles they could have peace, and they could know that the final belonged to Christ and to them in Christ.

Trouble in the world would give way to eternal glory (2 Cor 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory)

“Affliction” -

 look at his troubles and difficulties Paul calls them "light”!

He means they are insignificant compared with his future reward.

What shall we say then of our little troubles?

Shall we pity ourselves and complain?

Not if have the same understanding of this matter hat Paul had.

Paul’s troubles began shortly after his conversion and went on until his death, a great many years.

But Paul’s view all of that was only like a moment compared to eternity.

This view we too should have.