1. There is a fellowship of believers WHO ARE REDEEMED BY THE SUFFERINGS OF OUR LORD JESUS! When He suffered on the tree, we were in Him, one with Him. His sufferings and death were our sufferings and death. "The world is crucified unto me and I unto the world." We are crucified, risen, and seated with Him in Glory.

2. There is a fellowship of people WHO NOW SUFFER WITH HIM! They, like Moses, "esteem the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures, honor, and comforts of this world." Being identified with the Lord Jesus and His gospel, they are despised, harassed, and ridiculed for believing and preaching this gospel of free grace, which the world hates. But they count it all joy to suffer with Him, for they do and shall reign with Him. "Prisons would palaces prove if Jesus would dwell with me there."

3. There is a fellowship of people who suffer here on this earth for His glory and according to His Divine will and purpose IN ORDER THAT THEY MAY MINISTER TO HIS SHEEP in their trials. Paul wrote in II Cor. 1:3, "The god of all comfort comforts us in our troubles and tribulations, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God."

So let us not murmur under the afflicting hand of our Father. His discipline and chastening are not only for our good but enable us to be part of the honored, the priviledged, the blessed FELLOWSHIP OF HIS SUFFERINGS: "for as the sufferings of Christ fall to our lot and are experienced by us, so His comfort also is experienced and shared by others" (II Cor. 1:5-6). The Lord trusts His sheep to shepherds who have been proved under trial.