Matthew 26:41
Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
These are the very words our Lord said during His own passion toward us. Actually, I see both sides of what Arcturus and Darren are saying. On the one hand, no one who goes through these firey trials can say that they were pleasant.
Hebrews 12:11
Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
Proverbs 3:11
My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:
1 Peter 4:12
Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
No doubt about it, these trials and corrections from the Lord are very uncomfortable on the flesh. I have discovered lately that the beast in me is a monster with seven heads and ten horns, and will not go down to defeat easily. We all have in us these kindoms of the earth that Satan tempted our Lord with, and if we will just worship him he will giveall these kindoms to us The Lord will not stop these trials and allow these temptations of His elect to cease until we are transformed into His very image. Our flesh is weak, and Satan preys on that weakness. His commision is to destroy us and eat our dust (flesh). But...
2 Corinthians 12:10
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
I think that unlike Christianity that preaches only Christ AND him crucified. The elect must live I am crucified WITH Christ. The difference is milk and meat. It is the called and the chosen. See the difference?
Romans 8:18
For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Philippians 3:10
That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
1 Peter 4:13
But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy
To be a partaker in Christ sufferings is not taught in Babylon. To fill up the afflictions of Christ in my flesh is so foreign to their teachings that we have never even heard of it.
Colossians 1:24
Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:
As Christ suffered for His body so we also suffer for His body and fill up anything that is behind. This all takes place in the dying of our flesh.
1 John 4:17
Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world
We not only suffer for Him, but with Him. We are buried with Him by baptism into death. But even through flesh and blood, it pleased God to destroy the one who holds the power of death....
Hebrews 2:14
Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
Through these trials and sufferings, we learn what He learned, we experience what He experienced, we know what He knows because through them, we become one with Him. Thus we share with Him, His death and resurrection, His life and glory, His ascension and kingdom We sit with Him at the right hand of the throne of God.
Ephesians 2:6
And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
Romans 11:33
O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
In Him,
Dwight