In 2 Corinthians 11:23-28, Paul list out a string of sufferings and hardships that he had to endure for the sake of spreading the gospel to the Gentiles. You and I today will probably not be subjected to such a troublesome list as we must bear in mind that it was determined upon Paul to suffer for the name of Christ. It was a necessity of his calling and required according to his ministry and destiny.
Acts 9:16 For I [the Lord] will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.
We will all however face challenges throughout our lives; small daily problems that remind us of our reliance on Christ to large trials that build up over a period of time and buffet our resolve and our faith. These are part of life, and they come to us because we belong to a sinful human race and we live in an imperfect world controlled by principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness in high places, (Ephesians 6:12).
Paul, our apostle who we know has experience in this topic (according to the first mentioned scripture), provides some pertinent truth in his epistles that can strengthen and comfort us as we undergo trials and tribulations that cause our sufferings.
Romans 5:3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience [approved, tried character]; and experience, hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Romans 12:12 Rejoicing in hope; [being] patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
All these above remind us that suffering is going to come, and that it has a purpose to shape our lives and produce a pure character and spirit within us. But out of the comfort we get from these, one promise that really stands out in Paul's writings is,
Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Does this not give you a boost! If we just focus in that moment on what we are destined for, ... wow! So much more that what we can ever comprehend! Just that thought can help get you through your present suffering.
The above is typically trials and tribulation that come our way from external sources and what we sometimes cannot control. But what about the sufferings we go through because of our faith and our commitment to the gospel? This is of course ours to control. Are you willing to subject yourself to these? Let me explain.
Suffering can also be a consequence of us living out and proclaiming the grace gospel in a natural day-to-day lifestyle. This lifestyle, and the gospel of grace we stand for is a message that Satan hates, and the sufferings we would have to endure here is a direct result of his attacks on our faith and love for Gods Word.
2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; 9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
What is a "partaker of the afflictions of the gospel."
In Galatians 5:11 Paul writes "And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased." And in Galatians 6:12 he writes about those who do not teach and preach grace: "As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ."
This shows clearly that suffering comes when you preach the gospel of the grace of God purely. If you tell family and friends that all their religious activities (ceremonies, baptism, infant baptism, communion, isle walking, confessing of sins, catechisms …) cannot save them or make them closer to God; you will suffer their rejection. But this we must do to get them saved. If you tell them that their church does not teach the dispensation of the grace of God they will get upset with you. Many in our assembly got kicked out of their church when graciously they tried to tell the Pastor about right division.
Then add to those sufferings the rejection you suffer when you stand for moral truths such as what God says about homosexuality, or fornication, or corrupt communication. Just living for the Lord, not doing some things others want you to do or not going places they would ask you to go to will cause them to reject you.
These are the things that believers suffer because of choice, because of commitment to their faith, or because they are compelled (or constrained) in us by the Spirit in love (2 Corinthians 5:14). Now add the facts of what happens if you had to live and preach the gospel in other countries such as North Korea or Iran or China. Now your very life is at stake.
Whether it is external trials to shape us and build character or suffering for your commitment to live out the Word of truth and share the gospel, we will never be able to escape these tribulations. But, these tests and our endurance are nothing in this brief moment in time when compared to the glories of our destiny in Christ's presence for all eternity. Let us live in that hope while we trust that God is in control of the trails we face and will never allow them to weigh down on us beyond what we can bear and without cause or purpose.
Inspired and adapted from this post at rightlydividing.org.
Comments
Post a Comment