Is any suffering right? week 6, 2011

“He is quite religious.” Yes but walking on his knees for that distance to show devotion to God: that’s unnecessary suffering. That’s worse than being ascetic. “Aser what?” Enjoying deprivation; it pains me just thinking of it. Ah! “Why is it paining you; is he not suffering with Christ?” Instead, because you are participating in the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that you may be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed 1Pt 4:13(GNB).
Is that what you think? What he is doing is wrong.
“But did not the scripture say Christ suffered here on earth. Now you must be ready to suffer as he did, because suffering shows that you have stopped sinning 1Pt 4:1(CEV)?” Suffering with Christ is not a self imposed thing at all. "Don't handle this," "Don't taste that," "Don't touch the other"… they are only human rules and teachings. Of course such rules appear to be based on wisdom in their forced worship of angels, and false humility, and severe treatment of the body; but they have no real value in controlling physical passions Col 2:21-23(GNB). It has no value in making you holy. People who flog themselves, have people crucify them with nails for a period of time to be like Jesus are not pleasing God at all. Such practices are of the flesh not the Spirit of God. God your father is no sadist: He wouldn’t allow what isn’t meant for good. Their purpose is to prove that your faith is genuine… and so your faith… must also be tested, so that it may endure. Then you will receive praise and glory and honor on the Day when Jesus Christ is revealed 1Pt 1:7(GNB).
“I thought when you talk of suffering we should be happy in deprivation.” Not at all: suffering with Christ is not about being poor or rich; or enduring sickness. Christ carried our sins in his body on the cross so that freed from our sins, we could live a life that has God's approval. His wounds have healed you 1Pe 2:24(GW).
“I want you to tell me what real Christian suffering is about.”Suffering with Christ has to do with when people hate you, reject you, insult you, and say that you are evil, all because of the Son of Man Lk 6:22(GNB). Someone else or some people else do it to you. Not all will face being killed or wounded physically. In fact you are not the one to choose the type or timing of such suffering. Such suffering is for a limited time. You will suffer for a while, but God will make you complete, steady, strong, and firm 1Pe 5:10(CEV).