The Gracious Gift to Believe and Suffer

The climax of Paul's instruction for how to live as citizens of heaven comes in Phil 1:29, "For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake." We are called to stand firm for the faith of the Gospel, unafraid of anything as we face opposition from enemies of the Gospel. Paul set an example for us to follow, rejoicing in his affliction because the Gospel was not hindered but advanced by it. Paul assures us that suffering for Christ is evidence of our salvation and judgment for the unrepentant. He then says this entire dynamic is from God. As strange as it may sound, both believing and suffering for Christ is a gracious gift of the privilege God grants to His people, for God is working all things together for His glory and our good.