I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.
Summary: There is a relationship between our suffering and our faith. As we look at Paul’s suffering and his attitude towards it, we can learn a lot about what it means to walk in faith.
To understand today’s passage, we need to review what Paul has written so far in chapter three. He begins with this statement:
“I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus…”
Paul is in prison because of his love for Jesus. He is in prison because he can’t stop talking about Jesus. He is in prison because the mere fact that Jesus exists threatens certain people.
The people Paul has upset are not nice. Paul understands this. He used to be one of them himself. Now he prays for their salvation (Romans 10:1).
Of course, being in prison is a hardship. Not only is it hard on Paul, but it is hard on the churches who depend on Paul for leadership. Imagine a young child whose parent is taken away and put in prison. That is how the young churches felt about Paul.
It is typical of Paul that his concern is more for other believers than himself. He is not complaining when he writes, “I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus.” He is stating a fact. He is in prison, and he is there because he testifies about his faith in Jesus. Nowhere does he ask others to feel sorry for him or help him to escape his situation. Instead, he wants us to see the situation as he sees it.
In chapter one, Paul writes about the “praise of his glory” twice. He is talking about the glory of God and the glory of Christ. In today’s passage, he mentions another kind of glory; our glory.
The glory of the Ephesians is ours as well. It is the glory earned by Paul and all of our brothers and sisters in the faith who have gone before us. Whenever we make a sacrifice in the flesh because of Jesus, we demonstrate our faith. Each time we sacrifice for Jesus, it is like scoring the winning point for your favorite sports team. There is honor that goes with making such a sacrifice, and the glory that results belongs to everyone who is rooting for the team.
We who believe in Jesus today stand at the end of a long line of believers who came before us. Each one honors Jesus by choosing him to be their Lord. Each choice in life that honors Jesus brings glory to God and every other believer as well.
Paul’s sufferings are not because he did anything wrong. Paul suffered because of his faith in Jesus. He could have ended his physical suffering by denying his Lord. Instead, he chose to continue in prison until Jesus should set him free.
Why?
“I (Paul) consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” (Acts 20:24)
Application: Join in the race.
Food for Thought: How can we tell if our suffering is gaining glory for our Lord and his church?
How can we tell if our suffering is gaining glory for our Lord and his church?
The thoughts that came to me this morning are about Gods grace with our sin. We know that our sin causes hurt to God. (Genesis 6:5-6) Yet, He gives us grace.
In that sense God suffers our sin. And Why? So that we may share in His glory.
2 Peter 3: 8-9 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
The glory of God’s grace is revealed in our repentance.
All suffering has its origins in sin. Maybe our sin, maybe someone elses. Maybe as a result of the first sin.
We all must suffer the consequences of sin. The ultimate consequence, death, we have been delivered from if we choose to accept His gift. Even in that, Gods glory is revealed. As for the remaining consequences of sin, there is suffering. Even that suffering can reveal Gods glory.
I think there are two ways to suffer, with and without hope.
If one is suffering without hope, people can see that. I think the modern equivalent is a “toxic personality.”
If one is suffering with hope, people can see that too. They want to know why and how. Your suffering becomes an invitation.
So, my answer to the question is our suffering gains glory for our Lord and his church because it gives others a vision of God”s grace, that there can be peace within turmoil, and presents an invitation to share in Christs gift.
P.s. You know what? Sometimes I ask God a question and he makes me look the answer up! Todays devotion is a special blessing to me. Thank you.
Chris,
Your answer is very well thought out. Thank you!
As I read your words this morning I am reminded of a book called “Man’s Search for Meaning” by Viktor Frankl. Mr. Frankl was a Jew who survived the German concentration camps and lived to write about it. His profession was psychiatry which gave him a unique insight into the question of meaning. After reading his book I was left with a sense that from his world view without Jesus, the meaning of life was limited to what we could scrape together ourselves. The New Testament offers something more substantial — an eternal perspective on meaning. I find that deeply satisfying.
I think sometimes we have to trust that our suffering is bearing fruit for God’s purposes (which includes glory). We do not always readily see the fruit and we may not see it in this lifetime. Romans 8: 18.
In such times, we have to trust His promise that it will work out for His good and end in glory (Romans 8:28 – 30).
Rich,
Thank you! Great point! There is much we cannot know in this life. God knows, though. We can know that much. 🙂
05-27-2023, How can we tell if our suffering is gaining glory for our Lord and his church?
We see great variations of suffering in the lives of Jesus, Job, Noah, Moses, Joseph, David, Daniel, Hagar, Ester, Tamar, Elijah, Paul, Peter and the list goes on.
We need to be prepared for suffering because a promise of the Bible is “God’s people will suffer.”
Matthew 10:38, 2 Timothy 2:3, Philippians 1:29, 1 Peter 3:17, Romans 5:3
Suffering is a tool God uses to get our attention and to accomplish His purposes in our lives. Suffering is designed to build our trust in the Almighty, as it forces us to turn FROM TRUST IN OUR OWN RESOURCES, TO LIVING IN FAITH IN HIS RESOURCES. God will prepare our hearts for suffering as He teaches, and shows us that through suffering we go deeper in our relationship with Christ as we get a taste of what He has done for us.
2 Corinthians 4:17 For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory that is far beyond comparison.
John 15:20, Acts 14:22, 1 Peter 4:12, 2 Timothy 3:12
God will never give us more than we can bare. Do we submit to His Sovereignty in all things or just the parts we like? Do we reach a state of knowing all circumstances are foreknown and within the will of God for our good? Do we live in the peace which comes as we trade uncertainty for stability as our load is lightened and we share our yoke with Christ.
Live in reality, enjoy God’s Sovereignty in all things and allow His light to shine through our lives.
Thanks Ron!
Living in faith is a challenge! Thank God he is able to take our broken condition and turn it into something wonderful!