Granted Suffering

6/11/2016

Philippians 1.29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him... – St. Paul

Many people suffer; there are despots and tyrants in the world which seem to love to do nothing more than wreak havoc on their fellow man. There are criminals and miscreants in the world who eagerly prey on the elderly and the naïve. Many suffer in this world because it is full of sin and death and evil. And that suffering, is evil and wicked, and purposeful and mean-spirited

But there is one suffering that outdoes them all: the suffering that comes from loving and following Jesus. Man’s hatred for man is one thing; but man’s hatred for God is quite another. And man’s hatred for God, whom he cannot see, is unleashed with full fury on those he can see: Christians. And St. Paul said all those many centuries ago: For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him... Those who would love God, are those who are going to share in the hatred of God for their choice.

It’s their grant; it’s their grace.

Suffering is not wanting in this world – millions suffer. But there is a difference between human-suffering and godly-suffering. The godly – right or wrong – suffer and are blamed for worldly human suffering. There is a meme floating around out there that poses the following observation:

“If Islam is so peaceful, why is everyone so afraid to say anything untoward about it?

If Christianity is so dangerous, why is no one afraid to demean it?”

It’s a thought worth thinking. And the demeaning of Christians has been going on for centuries. It has been granted by God, to those who believe, on behalf of Christ, to suffer. God-hatred is a family trait.

So what does suffering do, if it is such a grace? Suffering for the saint is what helps him to see clearly that he is on the right path. St. Paul said, “Brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted?” (Gal. 5.11) his point was, he wasn’t preaching circumcision, he was preaching Christ. Christ was offensive to the Jews – and is to this day.

And God is offensive to mankind – His own creation spat in His face. It’s no wonder then that men spit in the face of those who would follow God. But the suffering also assists the sufferer to know he’s made the right choice: as God suffers, he suffers Like Parent, like child. It’s not masochism, it’s acceptance. As God accepts the ridicule and mockery of men, so the followers of God accept the man-inflicted suffering that comes from choosing to follow God. And in their suffering, the righteous are not deterred.

Father, it’s not like You made up suffering just to justify Yourself, suffering is a natural occurrence with those who call You by Name. Suffering is not fun nor is it a merit badge – it is what it is because of the presence of God-hatred in this world. Help Your people to grow and flourish in suffering and to seek the discomfort because in it, You are found in all Your perfection and grace. I can’t say, thank You for suffering, but I can say thank You that You are in the midst of it, and in it, You meet your servants there – Amen.