Discover why Christians face affliction and how to endure trials with faith in Jesus Christ. Learn comfort, strength, and victory in Him.
Why do Christians still face affliction despite salvation in Christ? This is a question many believers have asked. If Jesus won the victory on the Cross, why does God still allow trials, suffering, and opposition in the lives of His children? Is He aware of our pain? Why doesn’t He stop the enemy completely?
In this series on Comfort in Affliction, we will explore the reality of trials and why Christians face affliction.
Christians and Affliction
Many Christians today cry, murmur, and lament daily about their situations. Their focus is often on how they are doing, how they feel, and how others treat them. They question why they should suffer when Jesus already suffered on the Cross.
But the truth is, following Christ is not about avoiding trials—it is about being united with Him in both His suffering and His glory. Jesus Himself said in John 15:20:
“A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.”
The Reality of Christian Suffering
Prophet T.B. Joshua, in his sermon “Commitment Enhances Faith”, explained that the doctrine of “no suffering, no hardship, no health challenges” is not in line with the words of Jesus.
✨ Watch the sermon by TB Joshua on this truth: “Commitment Enhances Faith“.
A person may be sick in body and still be a candidate of Heaven, a friend of Jesus, a true Christian. Jesus made it clear in Matthew 16:24–25:
“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.”
Salvation is a total and complete commitment to Jesus—even to the point of denying yourself, carrying your cross, and, if necessary, laying down your life for Him.
Commitment and Affliction Go Hand in Hand
In another sermon titled “Our Commitment to Jesus”, T.B. Joshua emphasized that salvation is not for those who quit halfway. Jesus Himself said:
“The one who stands firm to the end will be saved”
(Mark 13:13)
The moment you make a total commitment to Jesus, you declare war against Satan. By identifying yourself with Christ, you automatically make yourself an enemy of the devil. This is the root of Christian affliction.
✨ Watch the sermon by TB Joshua on this truth: “Our Commitment to Jesus“.
The level at which Satan challenges, afflicts, and fights you seems to be equal to the level of your commitment to Jesus.
Think of Job: his unwavering commitment to God was the very reason Satan challenged him. Likewise, when you are truly saved and born again, you enter a spiritual battle.
Christians and Affliction: Why the Affliction?
If becoming a Christian means engaging in battle, does that make the Christian life unbiblical? Not at all. Jesus Himself warned us in John 16:33:
“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
This means affliction to a Christian is not a sign of weak faith—it is evidence of belonging to Christ. The same hatred the world had for Jesus will be directed at His followers.
As He said in John 15:19:
“If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.”
Therefore, affliction does not mean something is wrong with your salvation. Instead, it is proof that Satan no longer owns you and is fighting to pull you back.
Christians and Affliction: The Evidence of True Salvation
If Jesus was hated, persecuted, betrayed, and even crucified, should His followers expect a life without suffering? Certainly not. The evidence of genuine salvation is that the world—under satanic influence—will hate you in the same way it hated Jesus.
Anyone who claims to be Christian and think they should not suffer contradicts the words of Jesus in John 15:20.
Final Encouragement
So why do Christians face affliction? The answer lies in commitment. The greater your commitment to Christ, the fiercer the opposition from the enemy. But remember: every affliction you face is an opportunity to prove your faith and grow in your walk with Jesus.
Take comfort in His promise:
“But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
If you are not ready for affliction, you are not ready for salvation. But if you endure to the end, you will share in Christ’s eternal victory.
✨ Reflection Question: In your own trials, are you focusing on the pain or on the One who overcame the world?
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✨ Stay tuned for Episode 2 on the comfort in affliction, where we explore God’s purpose in affliction and how He refines the Christian’s faith through trials.
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