An authentic living out of the Christian life and principles demand of us a sense of tolerance. In addition, social responsibility is in our conduct towards others. As Christians, we are a call to think, speak and act with and in the character of Christ (Rom. 12:1-2; 1Cor. 11:1; Eph. 4:22-24; Eph. 5:1-2).
The Christian life faces an imminent threat from within that is responsible for Christian suffering in modern times. The mentality of trivializing the Christian testimony concerning suffering. This is so prevalent among the clergy, religious as well as the laity of our time. This mediocrity is a bandwagon mentality of many who seem to settle for the less authentic Christian life.
The joy of suffering in the Christian way of living is total submission to do the will of God. The suffering of a Christian is never a curse, punishment from God. Nor it is due to his sinfulness or as a result of the carelessness of God. God is not stoic or sadist when it comes to our suffering. Instead, our sufferings are proofs of his love, grace and redemption to do his holy will.
There is no doubt God is a God of the poor, the needy and the less-privileged. A God whose thoughts, words and actions offer us comfort, healing, restoration and transformation from our situations.