[Let] no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know. – 1 Thessalonians 3:3-4
We, as Christians, have to live with a tension between the
grace of God, His protection and provision, and constant tribulation. There are probably Christians who don’t have
any trouble. The late R.W. Schambach used
to say, “You don’t have any trouble. All
you need is faith in God.” I know what
he meant. We do have trouble, and faith
gets us through it. It’s like Paul
saying that our present light afflictions are nothing compared to the weight of
the eternal glory these afflictions are working out for us.
As quoted above, Paul is writing to the church at
Thessalonica to encourage them. They had
heard that the Apostle was undergoing difficulties and persecution. The question naturally arises in the minds
of some people as to why such a good and godly man, a chosen and highly favored
minister of the New Covenant in Christ should be suffering maltreatment and
reversals.
One of my oldest and best friends is an Assembly of God preacher. We are practically brothers. W go by the same given name. Though we are currently separated by close to
a thousand miles, if he and his wife needed something or if we did, we would do
whatever it takes to get there to help or they to get here. He, his wonderful wife, and their two adult
daughters are all dedicated to serving the Lord in full-time ministry. They have all kinds of turmoil, sickness, and
financial difficulties. They are better
people than I will ever be, yet I couldn’t get sick if I wanted to and I have
no debt and adequate money. Someday I
might even get to retire. They live in a
bad area of the country in a rented house in a questionable neighborhood. By comparison, my situation is paradise.
Nevertheless, I know that they have the “favor of God”, as
people like to say. Would I trade my
situation for theirs? Perhaps I answered
that question twenty-five years ago when I decided that I was not called to be
a pastor or minister of any kind, not so much because I feared the trials as
because somebody has to plow the corn.
By that time I had met too many preachers who would have made fairly
good shoe salesmen.
Paul didn’t want his friends to be discouraged because of what
was going on with them or with him. God’s
protection doesn’t always look much like protection from the world’s
perspective. In fact, sometimes it looks
as though God has abandoned or is in hiding from those who most earnestly seek
Him.
God sometimes cloaks Himself, coming to us in places and
ways and guises such that we are apt to miss Him if we are not alert and
aware. Our afflictions may be the way
through which He gives us new insights, enables us to make new connections, and
opens new doors. He slows us down, keeps
us back from some major disaster through a minor one. We never know, but we can know that He will
see us through and that He will never leave or forsake us. No matter the result, no matter the apparent
triumph of evil in the temporal realm, we are victorious in eternity.
10 comments:
Ah, what a contrast. I just came from Facebook, where a relative has posted an inspirational photo along with the reasons he's a liberal. Notably, this relative is also a minister; most recently Episcopal, naturally.
Anyway, the first reason listed is that Liberals "believe no one should go without food, shelter, medicine or an education." Followed closely, of course, by "I learn about my world through science..." And then of course a list of freedoms which in practice amount to, "for me, but not for people I disagree with."
Considering that, one would presume, he should have a closer acquaintance with the Bible than the average schmuck, it is awfully tempting to ask him where it says that people should expect that they'd never suffer lack of food, medicine, shelter, or education in the course of this life. That, in essence, everyone's basic needs ought to be met, and nobody should suffer any undue stress. Much less tribulation.
Anyway,
"God’s protection doesn’t always look much like protection from the world’s perspective. In fact, sometimes it looks as though God has abandoned or is in hiding from those who most earnestly seek Him."
The persecution of the Christians in the Middle East in recent days has been a true eye-opener in that regard. My Bible study class just started Moses, and in amongst the first round of questions are implications that if we just do what God wants, we'll be compensated somehow in this life. It irks me - not that I think God never gives, but that people should be expecting a kind of transactional relationship, where I do this and God gives that in return. That just isn't how it works herebelow. To suggest otherwise, especially in light of current events, just strikes a sour note with me.
Nevertheless, I do - with all of my heart - believe that the unimaginable suffering those Christians are enduring is neither meaningless, nor without a reward which I simply cannot fathom from within this life.
"God sometimes cloaks Himself, coming to us in places and ways and guises such that we are apt to miss Him if we are not alert and aware."
Ah, that bears repeating. Every time I'm convinced He's in permanent hiding, He pops up in yet another incongruous situation.
God bless the Episcopalians.
There's a fine line, and I often come down on the wrong side of it. The idea of process that Bob has talked about has really helped to get a better perspective.
Jesus more or less promised that some would be put to death for their faith. The blood of the martyrs is a powerful witness.
I'm even tempted to think that Muslim suicide bombers are a mockery (not quite the right word) of Christian martyrdom. They are saying to Christians, "You let us kill you for your faith. Ha, we kill ourselves!"
There will be something that comes out of all that suffering. Somehow it is moving things in the right direction.
Yep, Robin, where I least expect Him sometimes.
There seems to be a necessary connection between love and suffering. When we suffer along with a suffering loved one it is a different kind and it transforms both people because of the love between them.
Also, suffering must not be meaningless if Jesus suffered on the cross. Reading MOTT letter Justice, UF discusses how Jesus suffers eternally on the cross. And will until hell is empty of souls. "Eternally" means, in this case, more akin to "completely" I think than "for all time."
In other words, suffering may be no less meaningful than love. The meaning is in itself and does not serve some other "end".
There can be a link if you will, between sufferin' and humor.
Sometimes, when the pain is really bad It's as if I feel the punchline and I laugh.
Sounds crazy and maybe it is, but it sure as hell beats cryin'.
It also helps me see humor more clearly. Not all the time, but when it tickles my funny jones it distracts me from the pain and I have a good laugh.
Funny how pain can focus us on humor, love, truth, and God hisSelf.
Rick, eternally equally completely is exactly what George MacDonald would say, agreeing with UF. There are only so many words. They had to pick one.
Suffering for the love of God -- what else can we do?
Not enough coffee that day
eternally equaling completely
Know what you mean completely :-)
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