“But rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.”
you may also be glad
“Glad” means to enjoy a state of joy and well-being – to rejoice.
“I rejoice as I suffer for you,” Col 1.24
“Although saddened, we are always rejoicing,” 2 Cor 6.10
“Glad” is the same word as “rejoice” in the first phrase of this verse. “Glad” is not a good translation because it may be understood as a superficial, overt emotion in response to an external stimulus. You buy a new car, and therefore you are “glad.” At another point, you graduate from college, and you are glad. Joy transcends gladness. Joy is an inner animation of the soul that is oriented toward truth.
PRINCIPLE:
Christian joy is not a superficial emotion but a jubilant celebration of the person of Christ.
APPLICATION:
A little boy was sailing his toy boat in the middle of a pond when the wind stopped, leaving the boat stranded. An older boy came along and started throwing stones near the boat. The younger boy was deeply disturbed, but then he began to see that the waves were moving the boat toward shore. God causes many waves to splash against our lives, but each wave is for our good. When we recognize that God causes the waves in our lives for a purpose, we know our suffering is part of an ultimate divine design.
When we realize that the purpose of our suffering is for the sake of Christ’s name, there will be a true celebration when Christ comes again.
