AGAPE LESSON 12
AS WE JOURNEY WITH GOD
Put together by Bongie Kuzwayo
[James 1v2—4] My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, (3) knowing that the
testing of your faith produces patience. (4) But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be
perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
[1Peter4v12—14] Beloved, do not think it strange concerning fiery trials which is to try you, as
though some strange thing happened to you; (13) but rejoice to the extent that you partake of
Christ’s suffering, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. (14) If
you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests
on you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part, He is glorified.
The above Scriptures indicate to us that we will experience trials as part of our journey with God.
Trials are God’s school of sonship. God works within our very fabric certain trials of Christ. The Bible
records that we were predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son that He might be firstborn
in many brethren (Romans8v29). For God to pattern us/rearrange us/ remake us, He allows us
to go through trials. Trials help us to learn obedience, so His will prevails in our lives. Jesus, though
He was Son, yet He learned obedience by the things He suffered (Hebrews5v8). Sufferings, trials,
testing, are part of the package as we journey with God. This is the only route He will take us to our
destiny individually and corporately. He took Jesus through the same route.
Listen to what Paul says:
[2Timothy 2v8—13] Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead
according to my gospel, (9) for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but
the word of God is not chained. (10) Therefore, I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they
also may obtain salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. (11) This is a faithful saying: For
if we died with Him, we shall also live with Him, (12) If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. If we
deny Him, He also will deny us. If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.
James in the above Scripture, encourages us to, “Count it all joy.”
Peter says, “Do not think it strange concerning fiery trials which are to try you. Rejoice that you
partake of Christ’s sufferings.”
Paul, encourages us to endure.
Jesus says to His disciples, [Luke22v28—30] “But you are those who have continued with Me in My
trials. (29) And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed on Me, (30) that you may
eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Know that God rewards obedience. He is a Rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
(Hebrews11v6).
[Hebrews 10v35—39] Therefore, do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. (36) For
you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the
promise. (37) For yet a little while, and He who is coming will come, and will not tarry. (38) Now, the
just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, my soul has no pleasure in him. (39) But we are not
of those who draw back to perdition, but those who believe to the saving of the soul.
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Jesus says to His disciples, [John16v16—17] “But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has
filled your heart. (7) Nevertheless, I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I
do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.
[John16v20—22] Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will
rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy. (21) A woman, when she
is in labor has sorrow because her hour has come, but as soon as she has given birth to the child,
she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. (22)
Therefore, you now sorrow, but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice; and your joy, no one
will take it from you.
[Revelation20v4] And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgement was committed to them.
Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of
God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark on their
foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.
Not all sons shall reign, but only those who have qualified into the priestly office.
Qualifications for the High Priestly order as tabled in Hebrew5v1—5:
• He must be taken from among men. He must partake both the nature and circumstances of
those on whose behalf he acts.
• He is ordained for men.
• He brings gifts and sacrifices for sins.
• He is not exempt from infirmities.
• He must know and experientially understand the problems and limitations of those he
represents.
• He must have compassion on the ignorant and on them that are out of the way; because he
himself is compassed with infirmity.
• He does not take to himself this priestly position but is called to it by God. This is a high and
costly calling. God takes him through a school of pressures, testing and pain, to qualify him
for this ministry. This is a hallmark of endurance.
Endurance means staying power, determination, fortitude, a patient enduring and sustaining perseverance. We will look at Aaron as a case study:
[Exodus28v1] Now take Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of
Israel, that he may minister to Me as priest; Aaron and Aaron’s sons, Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.
Aaron’s painful experience:
[Leviticus 10v1—3] Then Nadab and Abihu the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and out fire in it,
and offered profane fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them. (2) So fire went out
from the Lord and devoured them, and they died before the Lord. (3) And Moses said to Aaron, “This
is what the Lord spoke, saying: ‘By those who come near Me I must be regarded as holy; and before
all the people, I must be glorified.’” So, Aaron held his peace.
[Leviticus10v6—7] And Moses said to Aaron, and to Eleazar and Ithamar, his sons, “Do not uncover
your heads nor tear your clothes, lest you die, and wrath come upon all the people. But let your
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brethren, the whole house of Israel bewail the burning which the Lord has kindled. (7) You shall not
go out from the door of the tabernacle of meeting lest you die, for the anointing oil of the Lord is
upon you.” And they did according to Moses’ word.
[Matthew5v4] Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Jesus here is saying that, a man who has experienced pain, sorrow and grief; and therefore, knows
how to mourn is blessed because he shall find comfort in his sympathy for his brethren.
If you have been compassed about with infirmity, if you have been dragged down and trodden under
foot; know that it was not in vain. God was working compassion in you. You will know how to
comfort others because you have been. You will have a word in season for those who are weary
(Isaiah50v4). You will be gentle and patient with those who are ignorant and out of the way
(Hebrews5v2). You will be able to comfort others with the same comfort that you yourself have
received from God (2Corinthians1v3—4).
The challenges you experienced were preparing you for your destiny. Be encouraged, never to view
trials from a negative angle, but always run back to the Holy Spirit to draw strength and receive
direction.
Listen to words of courage expressed by Job:
[Job23v10—12] But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.
(11) My foot has held fast to His steps; I have kept His way and not turned aside. (12) I have not
departed from the commandments of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than
my necessary food.
[Revelation5v9—10] And they sang a new song saying,” You are worthy to take the scroll and to
open its seals, for you were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and
tongue and people and nation, (10) and have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall
reign on the earth.