Paul and Suffering
In many respects,
Paul was a remarkable man. God called him
a chosen vessel unto Me, to bear My
name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the
children of Israel. Acts 9:15.
Immediately upon his conversion, God showed
him how great things he must suffer for
My names sake. Verse 16. As
suffering was to be a part of Gods
program for Paul, he came to look upon it as
a privilege. He said, Unto you it is
given in the behalf of Christ, not only to
believe on Him, but also to suffer for His
sake. Philippians 1:29.
Peter told the
believers, If, when we do well, and
suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is
acceptable to God. 1 Peter 2:20. Paul
took the same ground in Romans 12:12, where
he told the saints to be patient in
tribulation.
While both agreed
that to be patient in tribulation is
acceptable to God, Paul took an
advanced position when he said that as for
himself he had learned not only to be patient
in suffering, but to rejoice in his
sufferings for them. Colossians 1:24.
Few have advanced
that far. Most think that they do well if
they are patient in suffering. Moreover, God
says that this is acceptable. However, Paul
wanted to go further, following Christs
admonition in Matthew 5:11,12: Blessed
are ye, when men shall revile you, and
persecute you, and shall say all manner of
evil against you falsely, for My sake.
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is
your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they
the prophets which were before you.
Christ took our
infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.
Matthew 8:17. He was tempted in all points
like as we are, yet without sin.
Hebrews 4:15. As He Himself hath
suffered being tempted, He is able to succor
them that are tempted. Hebrews 2:18.
These trials came to Christ that He
might be a merciful and faithful High
Priest. Verse 17.
As Paul learned that
Christs sufferings enabled Him to
sympathize with others and understand their
sufferings, he desired to be permitted to
suffer with Christ. Thus, he also would be
able, when others suffered, to understand and
help them.
Pauls Sufferings
The more Paul thought
of suffering, not as affliction but as a
means of preparation to help others, the more
he desired to go all the way with Christ and
suffer as He had suffered. To the Corinthians
he wrote that God 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. For as the sufferings of Christ
abound in us, so our consolation also
aboundeth by Christ. And whether we be
afflicted, it is for your consolation and
salvation, which is effectual in the enduring
of the same sufferings which we also suffer:
or whether we be comforted, it is for your
consolation and salvation. 2
Corinthians 1:4-6.
Paul considered his
sufferings vicarious, as were Christs.
He did not suffer for himself; he suffered
for others. Moreover, his sufferings would
benefit the saints. As he suffered and was
comforted by God, he was enabled to comfort
others with the same comfort which he had
received.
We suppose that Paul
was sensitive to pain as are other men. He
did not enjoy pain for pains sake. It
was only as pain served a definite purpose in
helping others that he was interested in it.
If he could do others good by suffering, he
was not only willing but also anxious to
suffer.
Paul discovered that
he could do this. When some afflicted saint
learned that Paul had an experience similar
to his, a bond of sympathy and understanding
was immediately established, and the poor
soul took courage. He could at least learn to
bear with patience the tribulation over which
Paul rejoiced.
The Thorn in the Flesh
Paul stated, I
have learned, in whatsoever state I am,
therewith to be content. Philippians
4:11. Therefore, when he found himself in
prison with a lacerated back from which the
blood ran down, he began to think how this
particular experience would be of help to
him. Then Paul and Silas prayed, and
sang praises unto God: and the prisoners
heard them. Acts 16:25. Doubtless, the
other inmates wondered if these men had lost
their minds, for who had ever heard a person
singing for joy after being beaten with
many stripes?
Paul wanted to follow
Christ all the way. As Christ has suffered,
so Paul wanted to suffer. As he went to the
cross, so Paul wanted to be made
comfortable unto his death. Philippians
3:10. As Christ in all things was made like
unto His brethren, so Paul wanted all things
to be made like unto Christ.
Paul was greatly
beloved of God, yet all his life he had to
live with a thorn in the flesh, which he
frankly confesses was given to keep him
humble. Paul would not have needed to make
this confession. While we might suspect that
the many revelations he had would tend to
make him proud, we would not be sure that
this was the case unless he had expressly
said so. Twice in the same verse, he stated
that the thorn was given him lest I
should be exalted above measure. 2
Corinthians 12:7. He called the thorn
the messenger of Satan to buffet
me. Paul gave us this information to
let us know that God is no respecter of
persons and that there is no difference of
treatment because of position.
While we do not know
what the thorn was, we may be certain that it
was painful affliction or Paul would not call
it a thorn. God did not remove the thorn, but
gave him the grace to bear it, and from a
full heart Paul could say, Most gladly
therefore will I glorify in my infirmities,
that the power of Christ may rest upon
me. Verse 9.
From these
considerations, we learn that when affliction
comes to one of the saints, God has His
purpose in it and that He is working out some
plan that will eventually be for our good.
Satan will always be present trying to
discourage and harass the saint. However, if
the sick will co-operate with God,
Satans attempt will only strengthen him
in his determination to do the right at all
costs, and he will be stronger for the
conflict. Thus, it may be with every assault
of Satan.
This same principle I
saw illustrated in a school I was once
connected with. There were two teachers of
mathematics in the school, a young man and a
man of more experience. The younger man was
asked to teach a subject which he had not
taught before. The school furnished a
teachers manual, which would save the
teacher much time and work. The older teacher
kept the book from the younger teacher,
causing him to have a difficult time.
However, without the manual he had to study
harder, with the result that when the year
ended he was a much better teacher that if he
had received help. He became so proficient in
his field that in due time he became the head
of his department, something that might not
have occurred if he had not had to do his own
studying. What was meant to hamper him turned
out to be a help.
Satan Is Happy
Satan would like to
torment us and is happy when he can bring us
into difficult positions. However, in doing
so, he is really working against himself, for
tribulations worketh patience,
the very virtue God would have us develop.
For this reason Paul
could say, We glorify in tribulations
also: knowing that tribulation worketh
patience. Romans 5:3. Thus, when Satan
throws rocks in our path, God makes them into
steppingstones if we work with Him.
Sickness may be a
disheartening and discouraging experience as
we consider the grief and sorrow it brings to
our loved ones. If in addition to this we
fear that God has forsaken or forgotten us,
and that He does not seem to hear our
prayers, it may be distressing and faith
trying hour. Trust in God dims, faith in Him
wavers, financial involvements dismay us, and
we wonder if God really has forsaken us. We
go through the deep waters. The lamp of hope
burns low.
However, let the sick
and discouraged souls look to God. He still
lives and loves. He may let the dark clouds
envelop us temporarily; but behind the cloud
is the sunshine of Gods love. God is at
every sickbed, ready to help as needed. Cling
by faith to the promises of God. Search your
hearts for sins of which you may not be fully
aware. Be honest with yourself and with your
God. Confess where needed. Restore where
restitution is possible. Clear the
Kings highway; make straight paths for
your feet. If you thus seek God and ask Him
to reveal to you any unsuspected weakness, He
will come near.
If after this
thorough and honest self-examination you are
not conscious of sin, or if you have sinned
and confessed, then thank God for His
forgiveness and love, and by faith rejoice
that God has accepted you, and ask Him to
cleanse you from every sin. As you do
this, new hope and peace will come into your
soul, and being perfectly resigned to God,
you may from the heart say, Lord, Thy
will be done.
You have done what
you could, and God will do His part.
Memory Verse:
To keep me
from becoming conceited because of these
surpassingly great revelations, there was
given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of
Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded
with the Lord to take it away from me. But he
said unto me, My grace is sufficient
for you, for my power is made perfect in
weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:7.
Questions:
1. Are
trials and tribulations necessary to
strengthen our character in Christ? Explain.
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2. Paul
wanted to follow Christ all the way, even
unto death. Is your faith getting stronger
even unto death during the Great Tribulation?
Explain.
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