http://godsaith.com/home

1 Thessalonians 2¹⁴ For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:

Revelation 2¹⁰ Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

• Sympathizing with them

Now writing to those who were not going through such suffering he tells them to remember them who are in bonds as if they themselves were bound. We must put ourselves in their shoes.

That means we are to love them as we love ourselves. We are to consider their affliction as if we ourselves were going through it. Doing unto others as we would have them do unto us.

Matthew 22 ³⁹ And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself

Hebrews 13:3 Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies.

As the body of Christ we must have such a care one for another. If we all had the same Father and we all have the same Spirit in us and were living for the same purpose it is natural that we share in the sufferings of our fellow believers.

1 Corinthians 12²⁶ And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.

It is cruel and cursed to rejoice over other sufferings or even be indifferent.

Proverbs 17⁵ Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.

Remember them…what does that imply?

Sharing in their sorrow

Romans 12 ¹⁵ Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

Praying for them

Ephesians 6¹⁸ Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Encouraging them

1 Thessalonians 5¹¹ Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.¹⁴ Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

Helping them

James 2 ¹⁴ What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?  ¹⁵ If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,  ¹⁶ And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

1 John 3¹⁶ Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.  ¹⁷ But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?  ¹⁸ My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

Especially those who are well off

1 Timothy 6¹⁷ Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;  ¹⁸ That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;  ¹⁹ Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

An example

Acts 11 ²⁸ And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar.  ²⁹ Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea:

2 Corinthians 8 ² How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.

• Do this knowing you are also in the flesh

Presently we may be safe and comfortable and some one else of our brothers are suffering. We may not be concerned about others who are suffering because we are alright. But we should remember, we are also in flesh and in the world. And we have a common enemy. And we may be in need of help, not far down the line. This is what we forget many times. As long as we are in this flesh and world let us humbly bear in mind that we are not above afflictions and suffering. Paul tells Galatians in dealing with a fallen believer to have the same attitude. Just because we are not caught in sin but our brother is should not make us self righteous and look down upon him. He told the Corinthians also not to be over confident.

Galatians 6:1   Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.