God’s Gospel-Purpose for Us
We know that believing is a blessing. And has purpose.
But suffering? Really, Paul?
The apostle Paul was no stranger to suffering. And his Philippian audience knew it. Not only was Paul writing this letter while under house arrest in Rome, but earlier in their very town of Philippi—a wealthy Roman colony—he and Silas had been dragged into the marketplace, stripped, beaten, and locked in stocks (Acts 16:19-24).
So when he writes “it has been granted to you” (1:29) to also suffer, he knows what he’s talking about.
And he expected them to suffer well. For a reason. Us, too?
There is a way to live that shows God’s good news (i.e., gospel) really is good. Stand united; keep the faith; suffer with confidence. Then it will be clear that we’ve been delivered (1:28).
But how?
Do we flinch when danger shows up? Do we get scared at the possibilities of all the things that can go wrong in a life—even “little” things like a stomach bug or a car breaking down or an overscheduled week?
Here are three ways Paul helps us consider it a favor when we face enemies:
1. Don’t be a loner.
Stick with the team.
Can we live in agreement? Can we be so single-focused on Jesus that people will look at the church and think, “That’s amazing!”? Yes, we can!
We’re not designed to pull ourselves up by our own bootstraps when troubles come, but rather to lock arms with like-minded believers (1:27).
2. Don’t let enemies intimidate you.
Place your confidence in Christ.
We reflect glory to God when we’re not intimidated by our problems (1:28). Not because we have all the solutions, but because the Lord has and will continue to rescue us. Not from troubles. But through troubles.
God was faithful to Paul in his conflicts. He’ll be faithful to us in ours.
3. Don’t despise suffering.
Consider it a blessing.
This one is hard. But when Paul said that sufferings had “been granted to you,” he used the Greek word charizomai, which literally means “to grant as a favor, gratuitously, in kindness” (1:29).
Paul counted it a privilege to suffer for Christ (3:8), not a curse to shrink back from. The value of knowing Christ is worth it all. We see that throughout Philippians.
So let’s ask the Lord—no, plead with the Lord—to give us more unity, courage, and gratitude so the world will look at us and say, “Wow, God!”
It’s God’s gospel-purpose for us.
How do you overcome fears and sufferings? What truths did you learn in Philippians 1:27-30 about God? About Paul? About your identity in Christ?
Please share what the Lord is revealing to you. It’s one way we can stand side by side for the faith of the gospel (1:27).
“So let’s ask the Lord—no, plead with the Lord—to give us more unity, courage, and gratitude so the world will look at us and say, ‘Wow, God!’ ”
I love this! You really got to the heart of it all here. Everything is for the sake of Christ, for His glory. Even suffering.
And when He is glorified through us, even through horrible circumstances, what a sweet, confirming fruit of our eternally secure relationship with Him!
Thanks, Lisa!
It’s interesting to me that the more I read through Philippians, the more I see the theme of it all being about God’s glory. You nailed it last week when you wrote about Paul’s desire for the glory of Christ. I want it to be my top desire too!
Hi Lisa! I love your post on suffering. Hmmmm… don’t know if I do any suffering well like Paul suggests. But then I think that GRACE is overcoming my shortcomings in this area. I am so much quicker to call a friend and ask for prayer now days than in the past, so I am not facing things alone anymore. I am learning this still. Thank you for the reminder.
Grace. Yes! I know I don’t do suffering like Paul did. Not even remotely close. But I’m with you that God’s graces covers us and will help us continue to grow in this.
Good for you in calling friends quicker now for prayers; that’s another lesson I need to learn better. I love it when people ask me for prayers, so why do I think I’d be bothering them to ask for the same??? (Maybe something to do with pride?…but that’s a whole other topic! ha)
Even though I know God has many reasons for allowing suffering, I still tend to chafe and squirm and question rather than concentrating on suffering well. But to see it as a privilege — yes, I wrestle with that.
Barbara,
I’ve come to learn that we’re a lot alike. :-) You know I continue to wrestle too. Yet I can’t imagine even Paul saying, “Oh good! More suffering!” But when it did come to him, he somehow had such an eye on the prize of victory that suffering didn’t get in his way at all in completing his mission. Definitely an area many of us are weak in. Thankful we have human examples like Paul to look at and the ultimate example of Jesus who suffered well in perfect humility.
I agree that we are to suffer for His sake, but am selfishly(?) thankful that we aren’t being imprisoned in America. Perhaps we’re learning to suffer in a smaller way every day, during which times we learn to deny ourselves. Suffering is dying to self, which is all about following Jesus. Then He is glorified through us.
“Paul counted it a privilege to suffer for Christ (3:8), not a curse to shrink back from. The value of knowing Christ is worth it all. We see that throughout Philippians.” Lord work this in us, so that we would be willing to suffer for You no matter the cost!
I agree with you, Kelly. It is definitely a type of suffering as we learn to die to ourselves daily. I struggle enough with that, even without outside persecutions. I’m thankful the Lord knows just how much each of us can handle.
I appreciate your prayer and join you in it–for willingness to suffer, and at any cost.
Wow does this go along with my post. I don’t usually say that, but it seriously does.
I’m also reminded of this thought, and I think that a lot of ladies might also need reminding. “Jesus Wept.” So while we are suffering and trying to be strong, we might shed tears before we put on our “big girl” smiles and rise to rejoice in the suffering.
Darlene,
I went to your blog to read your post, and although I don’t know the background of the conflict, I see that you have felt persecuted for your faith. I would cry too.
To deny tears when we are in pain doesn’t mean we aren’t strong or that we’re not accepting our suffering; it’s just grieving over things that hurt us.
Yes, even Jesus wept. We do need to be reminded of that. Thanks for sharing.
Darlene, I pray you would be comforted through all of this, and that ultimately God would be glorified! He is not threatened by any of this! He is our Mighty King!
Good discussion on the privilege of suffering
If I change my perspective and see suffering as a blessing I can then more freely trust God to bring me through the suffering. How awesome is that?!
I truly enjoyed my study this week…
here are my thoughts:
http://hideandseekadventures.blogspot.com/2011/06/digging-in-gods-purpose.html
I agree; very awesome that when we change our perspective, we open up more room for God to build us up in faith through our circumstances.
I also love what you shared on your blog about the Philippians living as citizens of Rome and us living as citizens of heaven. The more we can remember that that’s who we are, the more we can live united as fellow citizens. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Oh this is incredibly powerful: “Not because we have all the solutions, but because the Lord has and will continue to rescue us. Not from troubles. But through troubles.” A really great post, Lisa.
As I studied, I kept picking out parts that focused on that fellowship and unity, too. Taking struggle as blessing (it is *granted* as a part of this faith! How crazy, yet amazing!) kept catching my attention, as well.
This section also reminded me how active God is in all things – blessings and sufferings.
I am so blessed by this study.
Caroline,
I am feeling very blessed by this study too. One of the many great things about Philippians is the steady stream of “fellowship and unity” that you pointed out. And chapter 2 keeps going in that same direction so I’m looking forward to spending time there this week.
And yes, I am also reminded of God’s care and provision for us in ALL things at all times, good, bad, easy, hard. The Lord is a constant presence. What a gift!
Thanks for your comments. It helps me grow to read what others see.
Hi All! I’m a little behind, so I just finished up this passage today.
I’ve been getting out of this study so far all of the underlying joy that Paul has through his sufferings, and encourages the believers in Phillipi to do the same. To not let anything that happens waver their faith. ‘Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.’
When my husband hurts my feelings, when my kids have been fighting with each other non stop all day, when I’m overwhelmed at work, when someone cuts me off on the freeway…do I conduct myself in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ? If I’m honest with myself, I have to admit that “No”, usually I do not. I have a pretty high patience level – but once I’m pushed beyond that threshhold, it is usually not pretty. And I look at the things that are annoyances to me, and compare them to the things that Paul endured – beatings, imprisonment, ridicule…my annoyances pale in comparison. But they are real to me…if that makes sense?
But this study has really helped me as I experience the day-to-day frustrations…by being able to recall some of the verses and see “Am I applying that verse to this situation?”
And I’ve also been participating in the Maximize Your Mornings challenge, and can truly say that the ladies I’ve been paired up with in my group have been SUCH a blessing. I can just pop over to the Facebook Page, type out a prayer request if I’m going through something, and within minutes people are praying for me. And I can definitely feel the effectiveness of their prayers along with the help of the Holy Spirit. :)
My word for this year that I’ve been striving towards is “Growth” – and this study and the MYM challenge have been integral parts in that for me this year.
Crystal,
You’re not behind. I keep finding that so much of Philippians is tied together each week. Like the joy in suffering that you mentioned. I don’t do it very well either, and my sufferings are also such small things compared to Paul’s. But with God’s grace, I pray that he will keep growing us stronger in this area.
Yes, it is so much about “growth.” While it’s not my official word for this year, it could be. My words are “Depend and Delight” because I really want to focus this year on growing past worrying and growing more into faith.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us. They encourage me.