Problems and Painful Fellowship

“That I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death” (Philippians 3:10).

Many Christians have limited spiritual ambition. We are excited at the prospect of knowing Christ and the power of his resurrection. Conversion has opened new vistas of reality, joy, and meaning. Problems, trials, and suffering seem remote.

But when it comes to spiritual things, we are engaged in a mighty war, and there are no shortcuts. The apostle Paul knew that immunity from trouble and trial would never be the Christian’s lot. Sooner or later, trouble of one sort or another will come. It may come as friend or foe; the difference will be determined largely by the believer’s attitude to the painful intruder. And so, the apostle resolved that his ambition would incorporate a certain creative attitude towards life’s inevitable sufferings, an attitude that would identify him with the Savior and at the same time, cleanse his character and deepen his knowledge of the Calvary Christ. Instead of simply resolving to know him and the power of his resurrection, Paul’s ambition went further, as indeed must ours.

He wanted to experience “the fellowship of his sufferings.” The privilege of suffering with a suffering God was, to Paul, not only a way of getting closer to his Father’s heart and knowing the Son, but also the key to the ideal of “becoming like him in his death.” What was Jesus like in his death? He was patient, brave, forgiving, loving, considerate, prayerful, controlled, and compassionate. Paul wanted to be like that, and he saw no other way than to walk the Calvary road with his Christ and share the fellowship of his sufferings.

This does not mean we court trouble or seek suffering. Because the universe we live in is flawed and fallen, the abnormal and imperfect are the norm while the normal and perfect are the exception. Suffering will inevitably come, and Christians are not immune. Suffering can be redemptive or meaningless. Paul resolved, as we can, to make it redemptive.

Reflection

As you think about the problems you are currently struggling with, ask God how you can share in Christ’s suffering. Ask him to use them to make you more like Christ – patient, brave, forgiving, loving, considerate, prayerful, controlled, and compassionate.