Bible

Bible

Friday, May 14, 2021

 Suffering for Christ

 

If you think of the life the apostle Paul lived, what must the effects of his life in Christ done to his body before he was put to death? By his own account (2 Cor. 11:23-27), he received 39 lashes from the Jews 5 times. He was beaten with rods 3 times. He was stoned once. In addition to all this, he was near death many times and in various dangers from people and circumstances he encountered preaching the gospel. His body had been tortured numerous times, and he bore the marks of it on his body, his branding for Christ (Gal. 6:17). When Paul tells Timothy he was being poured out as a drink offering, it was his blood that was being offered (2 Tim. 4:6). Death would be a release from his physical suffering; “For Me, living is Christ, dying is gain” (Phil. 1:21).

 

I think Paul, Peter, all of the apostles, and so many unknown faithful brethren can be included in the category the writer of Hebrews speaks of when he recounted so many Old Testament notables in Heb. 11, of what they endured looking forward to what was yet to come. He said, “The world was not worthy of them” (Heb. 11:38). The term worthy here carries the idea of useful, deserving, comparable or suitable. Scripture tells us the gospel should so transform our lives we are worthy to live it, worthy of the calling it offers to imitate Christ (Eph. 4:1; 5:1-2). It’s certainly far different from what the world offers; it isn’t worthy of such.

 

Paul encouraged the Christians in Colossae, “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and I am completing in my flesh what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for His body, that is, the church” (Col. 1:24). Paul is not saying Christ’s sacrifice was lacking on our part, but that living for Jesus would bring suffering (John 15:18-20). For Paul it was an honor to be counted worthy of such, as it reflected Christ living in him (Gal. 2:20). I wonder if we, I, count it worthy to face difficulties in life because our lives are that closely aligned with the gospel, with Christ?

 

It’s easy to complain about how we want things to be, about how we want to be treated, about getting our desires fulfilled. The building is too hot or cold. The pews not comfortable enough. It’s troublesome to come to both Sunday assemblies and on Wednesday night. Services are too long, or too short. Other activities beckon, are more alluring, more fun, than serving in the kingdom. And then, of course, there’s COVID. Satan does everything he can to distract us and convince us how hard we have it being Christians today. I wonder. I am ashamed of myself, when I think what a relationship with God meant to many in the first century, and what it means in the twenty-first century. I have not been set on fire, or beaten, or lost my family, or possessions, or many other things simply for wearing the name of Christ. Really, what are our priorities? Jesus said, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you” (Matt. 6:33). Paul wrote, “When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory” (Col. 3:4). Peter affirmed, “If you are ridiculed for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you…But if anyone suffers as a ‘Christian,’ he should not be ashamed but should glorify God in having that name…So those who suffer according to God’s will should, while doing what is good, entrust themselves to a faithful Creator” (1 Pet. 4:14, 16, 19).

 

I have not suffered for the faith as our first century brethren did, or as some in other places today are, but I pray to God for the strength that, if it comes my way, my life has not become so petty seeking after the comforts of today, I would not offer myself to Him, to help complete what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for His body. May God help us all reflect on what our Lord and His faithful followers in times past have offered for the faith, and to have that spirit within us today. Dear Lord, forgive us for what is lacking in our faith. We believe, but help us in our unbelief. May we sacrifice the selfishness of our hearts that you may mold us in your image and fit us for eternity.

 

μαράνα θᾶ

 

Robert

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