Philippians: True and Lasting JoySample

Joy in Endurance

The life of a believer can be summed up according to v.27 as, let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ. Jesus saved us and redeemed us to a life of holiness and obedience. There is danger in assuming that we are following Christ when our life isn’t being transformed by the power of the gospel. When the gospel is active in our lives, the results of the gospel are evident to all. 

And one of the greatest results of being transformed by the gospel is endurance in the face of suffering. The world questions God’s good character because of suffering. Religious people seek God so that He will remove their suffering. When it does not happen, they get angry with God and walk away. The gospel not only acknowledges the reality of suffering in this broken world but also considers suffering as a gift from God (v.29).

Some wrongly view that Jesus suffered so that we don’t have to suffer. That is not Biblical and accurate. Jesus plainly states in Matthew 10:16-25 that if Jesus suffered as a teacher, we can expect to suffer as His followers. Jesus does not promise to remove our suffering but He promises to be with us in our suffering and give us power to overcome suffering with joy and endurance. 

What is your response in suffering? If you are surprised by suffering or find yourself angry because of suffering, then it will be difficult to endure faithfully. But when our eyes are fixed on Jesus who loves us lavishly and gave Himself up to suffer for us, then His grace is sufficient to give us boldness and perseverance in our suffering.