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Why Do Christians Suffer?

Philippians 1:27-30

People often ask why suffering is present in the lives of believers. Scripture teaches us at least three reasons:

1. Suffering draws us closer to God (Job 42:5, Ps. 119:67, 2 Cor. 4:10, Heb. 12:6). God knows that most of us cannot be trusted to think of Him during uninterrupted success, so we must be reminded that we desperately need Him.
2. Suffering proves we truly belong to God (1 Pet. 4:14). We should rejoice when we suffer reproach for the sake of Christ. 
3. Suffering produces rewards in the future (Rom. 8:18, 2 Cor. 4:17, 2 Tim. 2:12). God promises a special reward to those who endure pain and persecution.

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