Wednesday | 21 October 2026

Suffering for the sake of another

When we consider the life of the apostle Paul, we observe that there is another aspect of a believer’s fellowship in Christ’s sufferings. After the Lord Jesus confronted Paul on the road to Damascus, He appeared in a vision to a faithful disciple named Ananias. He instructed Ananias to find Paul for the purpose of restoring his eyesight, saying, ‘Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.’ Act 9:15-16. 

Paul came to understand that, as a messenger of Christ, he was given a unique portion of sufferings that were for the purpose of ministering Christ’s life to another. In his letter to the Corinthians, he explained that as death was working in him, life was being multiplied in the fellowship of Christ’s sufferings and overflowing to those who received his message. 2Co 4:12.

For this reason, Paul testified, ‘I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God.’ Col 1:24‑25.

This dimension of the sufferings of Christ will be experienced by every person who belongs to Christ’s messenger administration, so that the power of God can be directed towards their hearers. Emphasising this point, Paul wrote, ‘For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you.’ 2Co 13:4. In this season, the Spirit is asking every messenger whether they are willing to embrace this dimension of Christ’s sufferings. It is essential for their participation in the ministry of the Spirit to the church and in the world.