Q & A: What Does it Mean to Take Part in Christ’s Suffering?-Kenneth Copeland

Answer:

When the Word says we are to be partakers of Christ’s suffering, it simply means we are to enter into the victory that Jesus bore for us on the cross (1 Peter 4:13). As we enter into that victory, we encounter spiritual warfare. That’s where the sufferings come from—standing against the forces of evil. Resisting the pressures of life may bring about some physical discomfort, but the sufferings are mainly spiritual sufferings and not physical sufferings such as sickness or disease. Jesus already bore for us all the suffering in the physical and mental realm so we could be free (John 8:36; Galatians 3:13-14).

That’s what the Apostle Paul talks about in Romans 8:17-18 when he says we are to suffer with Him so we can be glorified together with Him. According to Romans 6:3-4 and Galatians 2:20, we were with Jesus when He suffered on the cross. That work is complete. Now it is time to be glorified! Jesus is not suffering physically or mentally anymore. He is seated at the right hand of God the Father, expecting His enemies to be made His footstool (Hebrews 10:12-13).

As His Body in this earth, we stand against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against wicked spirits in high places (Ephesians 6:12). God’s glory is revealed in us when we resist Satan. God receives glory when we are delivered and reign victorious in this life. If you are in the midst of a trial, know that God wants you to use the spiritual weapons He has provided to give you the victory (2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Ephesians 6:11-17).

Satan will do his best to keep you from enjoying your victory. But as you receive revelation knowledge, you will be lord over him, and his tactics to put you under the law of sin and death will not work (Romans 8:2). That’s why James says, “When troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing” (James 1:2-4). What a wonderful place to be—needing nothing because we have it all in Jesus!