OUR author opens the next section saying, “Suffering is the lot of all men, the privilege of all believers. … There is no fellowship with, and growth in, the crucified Lord without suffering—physical, mental, and spiritual.” Thinking on this, it would seem to beg the question – Then are there no blessings to us unless we are suffering?
In Malcolm Gladwell’s book, David and Goliath, where I gleaned a precious phrase “Desirable Difficulties,” he traces the lives of several prominent individuals that demonstrate how their sufferings and overcoming difficulties brought them to incredible accomplishments. In coining Desirable Difficulties, he makes the same claim as our author; however warning his readers that (and I paraphrase) we ought not to go looking for trouble, but when it comes, we ought not see it as a negative, but something to embrace, a “potential blessing in disguise.” Many a time when I was the Principal of CCA, I would tell the school staff (and sometimes the students) that, “There are no problems, only opportunities,” a statement I’ve coined from a very favorite quotation: “There’s no security on this earth, only opportunity” – Gen. Douglas MacArthur.
SO, are we to seek out suffering for the benefit of acquired blessing? That would make for an interesting conversation, especially in light that “in Christ” we already possess “every spiritual blessing in heavenly places” (Eph. 1:3). But the realization of those things, our growth unto those blessings, … well, God gives what is needful; providence determines what is best for each of His own to advance the reality of faith and practice (2Pet 1:3 cp 5-11). Whom the Lord loves he disciples (Heb. 12:5-6; Prov. 3:11-12), and when we encounter those “blessed” difficulties, they may not necessarily be a frowning providence, but smiling providence intended for our good, and our Father’s all-wise purposes (Gen. 50:20; Rom. 8:28-29).
ONE more thought before we get to today’s reading; a thought from David Brooks, Road to Character:
“When most people think about the future, they dream up ways they might live happier lives. But notice this phenomenon. When people remember the crucial events that formed them, they don’t usually talk about happiness. It is usually the ordeals that seem most significant. Most people shoot for happiness, but feel formed through suffering.” (pg. 93)
In the inexorable riches of Christ,
Joe
Neh. 8:10; Isa 30:15; Job 2:10; Jas 1:2; Prov. 21:30
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Chapter 11—Reckoning in Philippians 3:10 – Part 4
“The fellowship of His sufferings.” Suffering is the lot of all men, the privilege of all believers. The general thinking is that God is not blessing unless He keeps us from, or relieves us of, suffering. Far from it! There is no fellowship with, and growth in, the crucified Lord without suffering—physical, mental, and spiritual.
Fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ is the source of our suffering. “If, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps” (1 Pet. 2:20, 21). Paul is our pattern of suffering as a Christian. As soon as the apostle was saved, the Lord Jesus said, “I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake” (Acts 9:16). “Alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake” (2 Cor. 4:11). Paul’s sufferings (see 2 Cor. 11:23–28, for instance) came indirectly from the nail-pierced hands and spear-pierced heart of his Lord. All these things were working together for his good. Notice Paul’s attitude! “I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should afterward believe on him to life everlasting” (1 Tim. 1:16). “If so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Rom. 8:17, 18). “If we suffer, we shall also reign with him” (2 Tim. 2:12).
Our fellowship in His sufferings bears threefold fruit. In suffering we learn something of the process of growth. “Knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience” (Rom. 5:3, 4). He chastens (child-trains) us “for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness” (Heb. 12:10). In suffering we also learn more of Him. “For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ” (2 Cor. 1:5). And in suffering we learn to appreciate the needs of others. “Blessed be God … the God of all comfort; who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God” (2 Cor. 1:3, 4). …to be continued
