Philippians 2:17: "Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all."
When most of us face tribulations or persecution for our faith, even trials, we seek to be rescued and decry them, "Why God? Why me?" This is a common refrain, if not out loud, then somewhere in the recess of our hearts, those questions swirl around as if the storms of trials are wreaking havoc in our souls. They are not meant for a disciple's destruction and the question of why may infer that we are being done in.
In my upcoming book, Not Quite as Expected, I walk us through the lives of many of the saints in Scripture. The book takes us through how they faced the turbulence brought into their lives and the reasons, from hindsight, that these trials happen. While the Bible repeatedly shows and tells us that trials will happen, God's people abdicate their responsibility to understand the good work of these challenging times. Passages are replete that communicate the excellent work of trials; the book of James is most commonly recited. James 1:3-4, 12 "knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him." Suppose we would only grasp this reality? It won't change that mourning may come with a trial. Loss can stroll into our lives. Suffering might become a companion, but God's promise of developing godly character through those is not insignificant.
The passage from Philippians caught my eye through my Bible reading this morning. Trials for each of us are sacrifices for others' faith. Paul continues in verse 17, "I am glad and rejoice with you all. Then, in 18, "For the same reason, you also be glad and rejoice with me." Paul does not have Marty's complex, nor is he into pain and suffering as a way to pass the time. He has just informed the readers of his letter that he knows death awaits him. He reminds them of the sacrifice that comes with the testing of their faith through his example. In chapter 1:29, the message of their salvation and a reminder to us are, "For to you it has been granted (graced) on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him but also to suffer for His sake."
Suffering benefits our character. Our suffering "has been granted on behalf of Christ," and Paul also says it is for the faith of others. There has been much communication about those who walk away from churches because of the hypocrisy of church people. We hear it all the time. Children blame parents who say one thing and live differently. Parishioners point fingers at clergy for living double lives. Church members hurt one another, betray each other, and fall out over menial and major reasons. These stories are on many Instagram pages, are replete on Facebook, and news reports on Twitter and YouTube make us cringe.
How often does the faithfulness of the everyday believer, through a trial, become headline news? Faithfulness to God should not only be seen and honored but learned from. Paul doesn't just cite his example for the growth of others' faith; he demonstrates Jesus' faithfulness in suffering and death, Philippians 2:3-11. He tells his readers that the same mind in Jesus about suffering should be in them. The writer of Hebrews describes Jesus' attitude as such, "who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross..." The joy set before him was knowing he was taking on God's wrath that needed to destroy sin and giving us a right to be called the sons of God, John 1:12-13. His sacrifice was for others' faith. Not just allowing them a direction to place their faith but also so they may walk by faith through his example. The examples of the many saints who walked by faith before them suffered because of it.
We are offered a great opportunity in our suffering. Trials will come. We will not and cannot avoid them. I pray this year, 2024, we appreciate the gravity of our responsibility in facing them. Let us recognize that we go through trials to build godly character. Let's face them with joy, as James 1:2 encourages. Also, understand we share in Christ's suffering. That is why God's grace is available for these times of need and is sufficient to get us through each of them. He wants our example for others, faithfulness towards Him, and to help us experience His nearness. Finally, the privilege of helping build others' faith cannot be minimized. Our trials are a great responsibility.
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