The Sweetness of Suffering

I can't count how many "Aha!" moments I have experienced in my walk with Christ, but the latest has been among the sweetest.  It is ironic concerning the subject matter:  suffering.  If my heart is Christ's home, I feel like a door I have never noticed before has opened up an entire wing for expansion of understanding.  It is like a gate to a broad, green pasture has swung open before my eyes and in faith I have entered.  No one on earth is a stranger to suffering, but to Christians the deeper significance of suffering is revealed.  Paul reasons in Romans 8:17-18, "...if children, then heirs--heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. ¹⁸ For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."  No one enjoys suffering.  From our perspective, there is never a silver lining to that cloud.  The fact is, God's path to the ultimate purpose of our lives is often entered through suffering.

Most of us aspire (against stark reality!) to make a lasting difference in the world for Christ.  Most people have big plans:  to write that best-selling book, to plant a church, compose the top worship songs, sell their screen play, serve on the mission field, be a committed spouse and parent, have millions of people hearing their sermons on the radio or internet, or a myriad of other dreams that never materialise.  We don't like to admit it, but our biggest and best plans incidentally end up with us netting a bit of credit along the way!  Think about all the ways that Jesus could have implemented to change the world.  He didn't go about things the way we would have.  He came to earth for the overriding purpose to suffer and die on a Roman cross so all might live through receiving the Gospel.  Jesus said in John 12:27-28:  "Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save Me from this hour'? But for this purpose I came to this hour. ²⁸ Father, glorify Your name." Then a voice came from heaven, saying, "I have both glorified it and will glorify it again."  Jesus accepted His suffering upon Calvary as the purpose for His entire life pointed towards.  In being a willing sacrifice God was glorified.

God glorified His name, and will glorify it again through all of us who endure suffering with our faith squarely and wholly upon Jesus.  Follow the progression:  if it was God's will and plan to glorify His name through the suffering of Christ - the whole purpose for sending Him to earth - isn't it possible God's purpose for our lives is also embraced and realised through suffering?  We all think we could make a big difference for God with that book deal or the latest mega church.  It is more likely, I believe, that the suffering of one person can even make a bigger impact for eternity on this world.  Jesus is the perfect example!  His broken body and shed blood carries more weight for eternity than a million pod casts!  A servant is not above His Master.  Not all of us are gifted to preach or write books or that worship song that sweeps the globe.  But all of us in whom the Holy Spirit dwells are able to endure suffering for the glory of God.  1 Peter 5:10 reads, "But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you."

When we are counted worthy to suffer for Christ's sake, may we rejoice as the early disciples did (Acts 5:41).  Their testimony is inscribed in God's word as a diamond pen on plates of iron, never to be forgotten by God or man.  Songs are quickly out of style, books gather dust, and money grows wings and flies away.  We wish following Christ meant our lives would be free of suffering, but it is IN suffering that we are more than conquerors (Rom. 8:37).  If I did not suffer for my sins, would I have in desperation flown to Christ for salvation?  Probably not.  And if following Christ meant no suffering, people would be highly motivated to follow Him for purely selfish reasons!  When Brother Yun was told that people were praying for a change in the government so house churches would have freedom, he said refused that line: "Don’t pray for the persecution to stop! We shouldn’t pray for a lighter load to carry, but a stronger back to endure! Then the world will see that God is with us, empowering us to live in a way that reflects His love and power. That is true freedom!” (The Heavenly Man, page 287)

If our suffering should be the means of God receiving the glory He deserves, may we rejoice that we have discovered the greatest purpose of our lives. Should not Jesus the Christ receive the reward of His suffering? When we suffer with Him for a short while on earth, we shall be glorified with Him forever. Ah! What sweetness and purpose there is when we keep this perspective!

The Vicious Cycle of Self

Everyone living has experienced hurt and sorrow.  There is a malevolent catharsis in recounting times in our past when our hearts were broken.  Feeling sorry for ourselves is one way of coping, but it is a deceptive, destructive path.  In the end we are left lower than before, choking back the vomit of shame, guilt, resentment, and bitterness. Acknowledgement of our pain and hurt is the first step to healing, and genuine healing of the soul is found only in Jesus Christ.  Because we have all been hurt, we all face the temptation of dwelling upon the wrongs done to us rather than the One who took my wrongs upon Himself.

During my life I have been hurt in many ways.  I have suffered from a broken heart many times.  I have been lied to, deceived, misjudged, ridiculed, and ignored.  I face the very real temptation to look upon hurtful moments and seasons in my life and brood over them.  When I try to logically make sense out of some things that have happened in my life decades ago, I am still at a loss to explain them.  I am no closer to definite conclusions on why God allowed things to happen.  The downward spiral into the murky darkness of self pity beckons, but I have already been down there.  It was a rotten, hopeless place to be.  It was Jesus every time who pulled me out, and I never want to go back again.  Thankfully, I don't have to!

If you don't know Jesus Christ as LORD and Saviour, what I'm saying likely doesn't make a shred of sense.  Because I have repented and trusted on Christ, His life is now mine.  By faith I have become a new creation in Him.  I testify to you and the whole world that Jesus has healed my broken heart many times.  He has bound up my wounds, dried my tears, and replaced fear and worry with peace and joy.  He has turned my mourning into rejoicing.  What is the secret to avoid the vicious cycle of self?  When thoughts of how you have been hurt flood into your mind and heart, turn your attention instead to the hurt and suffering Christ endured for your sake.  When we are burdened with cares and a root of bitterness begins to grow and you can only wonder, "Why God?  Why would you let that happen to me?"  In that moment I need only consider why Jesus suffered and died for me:  it was a revelation of divine love.  Romans 5:8 says, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."  By the grace of God, He has changed the way I think.

I am not suggesting that we ignore, bury, or deny the fact we have been hurt.  To the contrary, we must bare our hurts to God, admitting exactly how we feel, casting our cares upon Jesus because He cares for us.  If someone has hurt me accidentally or with malice, I need to freely forgive them because Jesus has freely forgiven me.  In releasing others from our bitterness we are also freed!  It is a truly amazing transformation that occurs when I remove my focus from myself and the wrongs done to me and look with adoration upon Jesus Christ.  It is by His stripes I am healed!  We are able to overcome the vicious cycle of self through Christ, and none other.

Laying Down Our Will to Embrace His

"I entreated Your favor with my whole heart; be merciful to me according to Your word."

Psalm 119:58

Even when we have learned, God continues to teach.  There is always a deeper level - a more personal application - for biblical truth beyond where we stand.  The necessity and value of an undivided heart is a theme I have often been reminded of lately.  Unless we come to a place of rest and complete neutrality on an issue when seeking God, clear direction from our heavenly Father will often elude us.  It is not that God has abandoned us, but our preferences cloud our judgment.  We can stumble through a self-induced fog, straining for clear vision of the path laid before us.  As long as we hold to our plans and ideas - even with the thought of bringing God glory - clarity of sight and sureness of footing will remain out of reach.

In wrestling with God over direction of my life and even the church, only after I wholly yielded myself to God's plan did the answer come.  I thought I had laid my will down through belief, but God's silence showed I had not.  After I repented and sought God's guidance with my whole heart, answers came so clearly through God's Word, confirmed through circumstances and others, and complete with the peace only found through the Holy Spirit.  The example for every Christian was held forth when Jesus laid down His will in the Garden of Gethsemane before He laid down His life.  We want to lay down our lives before we lay down our will, but we find we cannot.  We fight to lay down our lives.  We look for opportunities for sacrifice.  We grasp in vain for guidance, seeking open doors.  But until our will aligns wholly with the Father's will, we will suffer spiritual impotence and confusion.  I see two distinct "wills" in operation in my life:  God's will, and my will.  They are naturally opposed to one another in every respect.  I must first lay down my will in faith in God before I can fully rest in my Father's will.

If we see the folly in casting valuable pearls before pigs who cannot discern or appreciate their value, why do we think that God will lead us into deeper truth and understanding when we are firmly set in our own ways according to our will?  Jeremiah 29:13 reads, "And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart."  If we trust God will our souls for eternity, we should completely trust His guidance for our next step in this life.  We must therefore put aside our agendas, opinions, and ambition concerning what we see and seek the LORD wholeheartedly with willingness to hear AND obey whatever God says.  Because Christ is the Good Shepherd, He will hear our cries and lead us into safe pasture.  He will be merciful to us according to His Word!

The Narrow Way

The longer I follow Christ, the more I am struck by His objective claims.  The world says there are "many paths to God," but the Bible proclaims the opposite.  In our modern-day culture of relativity, people hate the idea of anyone claiming to possess absolute truth.  That is why people hated Jesus.  He stood up to the religious leaders of the day, boldly proclaiming He was the Son of God.  He transcended all earthly rulers in wisdom and power.  He performed mighty signs and wonders, and rose from the dead in glory.  He said without apology or caveat in John 14:6:  "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."  No politician, prophet, or lunatic spoke as this Man.  In Christ we find no comfortable middle ground with this world.

Following Jesus Christ is an exclusive, narrow way.  He will receive every sinner who repents and receives Him through faith.  The Gospel is incredibly simple, yet it is the hard way.  Christ's yoke is easy and His burden light, but the broad path to destruction is easier traveled than the upward call of God.  The way of Jesus Christ is an uncompromising way.  Because of this, it is an impractical way for anyone who desires earthly recognition, fame, power, or glory.  Yet it goes further.  It is an intolerable way.  People have no problem with Christians when they resemble the soft, weak, mushy persona that often passes for Jesus.  But when Christians take a stand upon the Bible as the literal Word of God concerning moral issues in society, they are fiercely attacked and despised.  It is an impossible, unthinkable way.  Following Jesus in obedience makes foolishness appear wise from a worldly perspective.  Those who have tasted and seen that God is good know better!

God's way is the only way, and that Way is Jesus Christ.  Exclusive and narrow, yes.  Narrow is not a bad thing when you are heading precisely in the right direction!  While the world searches fruitlessly for love, peace, joy, significance, assurance, and purpose, these things are found in Christ alone.  1 John 5:11-12:  "And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. ¹² He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life."  Notice the lack of words like "might," "may," "possibly," or "hopefully."  God has given eternal life and this life is in Jesus Christ.  Unmistakably direct and clear:  there is a God and He has provided a Way to heaven through Jesus.  He who has the Son has life, and those without the Son of God do not have life.  Clear, precise, and concise.  There is the claim; take it or leave it.  Laugh it off, fight against it, rage against the idea, hurl insult after insult.  But the truth resounds now and for eternity, for the Word of God endures forever.

The preaching of the cross is foolishness to those who worship the creature over the Creator, but to those who are saved it is the power of God.  Romans 10:8-9 reads, "But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith which we preach): ⁹ that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."  Believe, confess your sins, repent, and be saved, becoming born again through the Holy Spirit.  Jesus is not one of many doors to heaven, but He is the Door through whom all who enter heaven must enter.  Jesus says in John 10:9-10:  "I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. ¹⁰ The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."  Rely upon Christ Jesus and choose life!