Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you…
Summary: Language is a tricky thing. Paul uses the word “I” to describe two different parts of himself.
If our last meditation left you wondering what it means to be a servant of the Gospel, Paul answers your question in the next verse: Suffering.
That sounds horrible, doesn’t it?
As I write these words, I am chuckling at the irony of the thought of millions of people lining up to believe the Gospel because it means they get to suffer. That is not much of a sales pitch, is it?
Then there is the part of Paul’s statement where he says, “I rejoice in what I am suffering…” Why would anyone “rejoice” in suffering?
Paul’s attitude towards suffering is not unique. Jesus himself willingly went to the cross for us. Paul’s suffering, by comparison, is minor.
But why? Why would Paul rejoice in suffering?
In his letter to the church in Rome, Paul writes, “So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin” (Romans 7:25). Paul has a clear understanding of himself as two separate halves at war with each other.
The part of Paul he refers to as “I myself,” is devoted to God’s will. The other part he calls his “sinful nature.”
When he writes that “I rejoice” in suffering, the “I” is the part that is devoted to God’s will. When he writes, “I am suffering,” the “I” is referring to his “sinful nature.” The “sinful nature” suffers anytime it does not get its way. So, doing God’s will will always make the “sinful nature” suffer.
Paul’s suffering, of course, extends to the physical suffering he endures for the sake of the Gospel.
Paul’s physical suffering adds another layer to this complex recipe for personhood. When Paul is stoned and dragged out of town for dead, his body is hurting (Acts 14:19). If you asked Paul afterward how he was feeling, you would be asking about his physical wellbeing— another kind of “I.”
When it comes to understanding Paul’s language, context is everything.
If someone doesn’t know what it means to have a new spiritual life in Christ (Romans 6:4), none of this will make sense. For those who have allowed Jesus to come in, this “new life” makes total sense. We understand the joy of being reunited with our Creator and the suffering caused by the corruption of the flesh.
Put another way, being “born again” (John 3:3) opens our eyes to a world of Light that we couldn’t see before. As we grow closer to our Lord, the things of the physical world grow less important.
Application: Understand that the battle that rages inside is “normal” for a believer.
Food for Thought: How does our suffering as a Christian testify to the reality of Jesus Christ?
How does our suffering as a Christian testify to the reality of Jesus Christ?
When we go through hardships and keep a Christ like attitude it shows that we are following Jesus and His teachings.
We are able to show others true faith when we hold onto our beliefs during great suffering, showing that we are genuine and not willing to give in or give up on what matters to us.
When we endure through great pain with a joy that can’t be explained or an attitude that is Christ like during times of suffering makes people wonder and can be a great testament of the power and strength comming from our God. And when glory is due we give it to the one whom deserves it.
Well said, T.
Very well said!
I agree. Well said T.
We were told we would suffer for Christ. It shows there is a real spiritual enemy on the prowl. A faith in Christ lived out will make one a target.
2 Timothy 3: 10 – 12: You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, 11persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. 12In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
Thank you, Rich!
The fact that Christians are persecuted even in this country, and this day and age, testifies to an Enemy that is still very real and very active.
Good responses!
How does our suffering as a Christian testify to the reality of Jesus Christ?
Well said Jeff!, “Being “born again” (John 3:3) opens our eyes to a world of Light that we couldn’t see before. As we grow closer to our Lord, the things of the physical world grow less important.”
I was 33 years old, single, had been studying John with maybe 20 men at Bible Study Fellowship for 6 weeks, and I received Christ whom the Holy Spirit had revealed to me. I was the most excited I had ever been, freed from the burden of my sins, I eagerly rushed to the home of my parents to share this good news with them. My father began crying, and in his huge tears told me, “ I have worked my whole life to keep you out of church, and here you are a Blank, Blank Christian, my mother simply stared at me the entire time I was there. Well, as I got over the shock, I picked up my bible and left. My brothers and sister have chosen this world over Christ and would see me when they wanted something, but we simply, over time grew apart.
Many years have past, God has provided a new family and I have lost count of the many, many people He has brought to me, on airplanes, at parks, campgrounds, stores, as He has spoken through me to share His good news with them. It will be a great pleasure to see them once again.
Any suffering we may endure will never compare to the spiritual life we have received through Jesus Christ. This world does grow dim, loses its luster and my hope is not that my situation will turn out a certain way, but that I will always live in the peace of knowing, in all things, Gods will is sovereign and perfect.
Thank you, Ron!
God’s peace in the midst of difficulty is truly a great testimony to the reality and power of God.
I think the idea behind suffering is to endure the unpleasant (or painful) in relentless and persistent pursuit of something. People suffer in many ways in order to continue to function in life. People will suffer in order to “achieve” something greater. People will also look back on past suffering in regret or anger. Christ suffered for us, knowing that as a result He would put an end to all suffering for those that believe in Him and confess Him as Lord, here on Earth or in Heaven. That is an incredible act, to suffer so that another can find hope.
In Christ, when we suffer for His name’s sake, He will turn it to good. That includes all suffering. So for the follower of Christ, all suffering is given to Him and is used for His purpose. And His purpose is to turn it to good.
In Christ, when we suffer in life, we know that we can be comforted by eternity with Him, and in the trust that suffering build perseverance and preparation for building His kingdom.
In Christ, past suffering is redeemed as we realize that those times held us in a place where either our faith increased or we did not take actions to further destroy ourselves.
As a follower of Christ, I believe that last line wholeheartedly. I look at suffering as either hastening my faith or hindering me from harm. In both cases I submit it to Him. To do otherwise, means there is no purpose, and no hope.
How does our suffering as a Christian testify to the reality of Jesus Christ?
Others that try to inflict suffering upon us will be met with a love that surpasses understanding.
Others that suffer will see the hope that lives within us.
Thanks Chris!
You write “Others that try to inflict suffering upon us will be met with a love that surpasses understanding.” — I agree, but I confess I’m still working on this one! 🙂
When you say “Others that suffer will see the hope that lives within us,” I think there is a lot of truth in this. I have heard many stories of people whose hope in Jesus speaks more loudly than words.