As To Suffering (1)

I received the following communication: Dear Editor of the Standard Bearer, In recent discussions with the brethren the question has arisen whether the "sufferings of this present time" have any spiritual value in the plan of God and as a means to our salvation and eternal glory? To clarify the point, allow me to state the following: - Some passages of Scripture speak directly of suffering for Christ's sake, e.g. I Peter 2:19ff. - Other passages speak of falling into divers' temptations...