Walking in Paul's Steps
In an age when Christianity is facing increasing hostility and persecution, believers must face the world with increasing mercy and grace. It is the only way to model everything we know to be true. We are in good company. We might say that Paul is the poster boy for the suffering believer. He was of strong character and personality, but his ministry was humble in nature. He worked to pay his own way, struggled with everyday issues and depression, endured riots, imprisonment, beatings, false accusations, assaults, character assassination, and shipwrecks to name a few, all in service to our Lord. So, when Paul writes on the topic of the suffering servant, we listen.
Our struggles in this life are tests of faith. Not simply in how we respond externally but, more importantly I think, in how we respond internally. Without or unsure of salvation, life's struggles are multiplied. The believer is not given a free pass. Even when we have full confidence in our position, illness, relationships, temptations, addictions, job and income struggles, and a plethora of other issues sometimes weigh on us and may cause us to question God or how real our relationship with Him really is. Accepting Christ as our Savior in no way promises us a trouble-free life. We may be saved, but we live in a fallen world.
How is it that Paul could endure all that he did without losing faith?
As he writes to the Corinthian church in yet another time of turmoil and personal attack, Paul reveals how his faith and recognition of his position bulwark his perspective and thus his ability to serve joyously through it all. He writes in response to questions about his standing brought by opponents who condemned him, in part, for suffering as he did (how could one on mission from God be so vulnerable?). In his letter to the church, he extends mercy and grace through his teaching. Instead of accusing he instructs, comparing what the world sees against Heaven's view.
First, however, he presents a list of his trials, and they are impressive to say the least. Paul's life debunks the notion that believers should expect an easy journey.
We put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; 2 Corinthians 6:3-5 (ESV)
Then he lists the things that encourage, empower, and sustain him.
by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love;Â by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left;Â through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true;Â as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed;Â as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything. 2 Corinthians 6:5-10 (ESV)
His list provides wisdom for today's believers as we navigate a truly lost and increasingly hostile world. Purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, love, truthful speech, and the power of God were the foundation of Paul's faith, his strength against the onslaught. These traits which served Paul so well await our beckon today, that they may be our strength. They are mercy and grace in action.
Paul understood his position as God's ambassador.
He knew he was not alone in the struggles or the victories, indeed, he was merely a messenger in one sense. He saw Heaven's view of his reality. We do well today to do the same.
Righteousness is a power, a spiritual weapon. It is a result of our holy choices and cements our position before God's throne.1
Being true to who God calls us to be in the face of persecution accuses the world's perversity.2
Humble and unknown to our fellow man, we are known and loved by our Creator.3
We die a death each time we are assaulted yet live richly in His presence.4
Punished by the world, we stand before it as beacons of truth.5
Suffering life's sorrows, we rejoice always in His goodness, mercy, and grace.6
Whether wealthy or poor, we possess everything that is important in the spiritual realm, including a relationship with God7 that puts to shame all this world has to offer.
Paul's writings carry a set of continuing themes: experiential knowledge, sacrificial love, suffering, mercy, endurance, and perseverance. If you are a believer, you likely know these themes well. They are the hallmarks of a victorious life.
Paul could live the life he lived with all of its troubles yet live it in victory because he understood who he was and the purpose of his life. It is fair then to ask who we are and what our purpose is, and they are the same. We are sons of the Most High God, His ambassadors8 to the world.
Father God, thank You for Your faithfulness. Despite all of life's troubles and trials, all of its disruptions and disappointments, and in all of its joys and victories, You are always present, never changing, and immovable. You are my strength, my armor, my shield, my warrior. You are my joy, Your mercy and grace overflow in my life. In You I find everything I need to live in victory. You are my rock and my salvation, and to You I give glory, power, praise, honor, and blessing. Remind me in times of trial, so that I will keep my eyes on You. Sustain me in need. Show me, Father, where and how to serve and please You for Your glory's sake. Amen.
Shalom.
Psa 2:1-3; Heb 4:16; Rev 7:9-10
Mat 10:16-28; Jam 1:12; Rom 12:2; 2 Tim 3:2-7; 1 Jhn 2:15-17; Jud 1:18
Psa 139:14-16; 1 Cor 8:3; Gal 4:9; Heb 4:13
Psa 23; Jhn 14:23, 17:20-23; Col 3:2-3
Pro 12:22; Jhn 8:31-32; 1 Cor 13:4-6; Eph 6:14; 2 Tim 2:15; 1 Jhn 3:18;
Gal 5:22-23; Tit 3:4-7; 2 Pet 3:9; 2 Jhn 1:3
2 Chr 7:14; Rom 8:12-17, 9:8; Jhn 1:12, 8:12; 2 Cor 6:18; Gal 3:26, 4:6-7; 1 Jhn 3:1, 16, 4:11
Mat 10:1-8, 18:18, 28:19; 1 Pet 2:9