Paul says to Timothy, “I suffer….but am not ashamed.” (II Tim. 1:12)
Have we ever considered, even today, SHAME can be associated with SUFFERING?
There’s a societal norm to look perfect, post beauty, show to the world we are “blessed”, “chosen”, living out some gospel that is NOT associated with suffereing?
While, Romans 5:3-5 teaches, “REJOICE in our sufferings.”
Matthew 5:12 promises, “Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven….”
Do you want to know Paul’s explaination of why he is not ashamed in His suffering?
“For I know Him.” (II Tim.1:12) That’s it.
What is it in Paul knowing Christ, that makes everything else secondary? Even suffering?
Is it that all of life seems dims in comparison to His love and promise and goodness? Paul was blind, but now could see, having a radical, once-in-a-life-time encounter with Jesus.
Have you ever wondered, “Is Jesus really even worth the suffering?” If you doubt His goodness…
- Beg for Him to reveal Himself to you.
- Ask for a glimpse of His glory.
- Dig through Scripture, until you find the Pearl of Grace Price, worth going to sell everything for.
Paul says, He also knows, “HE IS ABLE”….to guard and keep that which is entrusted to him.
Do you know, truly believe…GOD IS ABLE?
There is an all-sufficiency to God!
Do we fear suffering, because we question His goodness? Let shame have its way, falling into the lie that says, “The gospel of Christ DOESN’T include suffering?”
Paul goes on in II Timothy 1:12…“I have committed [to Him] until that day.” See, Paul set His mind on Christ, committed to being unshaken, even, I wonder if, EXPECTING suffering?
As Paul exhonerated Timothy, He instructs him, “HOLD FAST and FOLLOW the pattern of WHOLESOME and SOUND teaching.”
And I wonder, in Paul’s time, as in the days of Jesus, did they believe that suffering only came from either that person or their ancestors sinning?
Was there this corrupt theology still bleeding through, convincing people “The Sanctified” were free from difficulty?
And did the Pharisees and other religious leaders in Jesus day, use this safe-from-suffering” theology to manipulate and exploit the hurting, exhalting themselves as more important, justifying people giving to or following them?
Didn’t Jesus die for sinners, of who Paul says, He is the worst? (1 Tim. 1:15)
“GUARD and KEEP [with great care] the PRECIOUS and EXCELLENTLY adapted [TRUTH] which has been entrusted [to you], by the [help of the] Holy SPIRIT who makes His home in US!” (II Tim. 1:14)
See, truth must have been obscured, just like in our day. The gospel must have been tainted, leaders and corrupt people poisoning and convincing people that they can live a gospel WITHOUT suffering.
Like Paul, Timothy recognized and likely even suffered from SHAME surrounding the gospel. Paul exorts, “DO NOT blush or BE ASHAMED then, to testify to or for our Lord, nor of me, a prisoner for His sake…”
Shame has always tried to accompany suffering, especially in Christianity. But it doesn’t have to.
Tweet ThisThe most powerful line? Paul says, “[with me] TAKE YOUR SHARE OF SUFFERING [to which the preaching] of the Gospel [may expose you, and do it] in the POWER OF GOD.”
So…
- Isn’t suffering the testimony of any true Jesus-follower?
- Is there any true, Biblical-Gospel, that DOESN’T include suffering?
- Can’t our pain point to Jesus, as well as our victories?
“TAKE YOUR SHARE OF SUFFERING”, Paul preaches.
What is your share of suffering today, friends? Do you have marriage difficulties? Struggle with health issues? Grieve over wayward children? Are you constantly opposed by neighbors of family members?
Take JOY! REJOICE! Likely, you are living out the Gospel, that promises to also accompany some sort of suffering.
See…
THE TRUE GOSPEL will always, undoubtedly, expose us to some measure of suffering. Paul says rejoice in it, but SHAME wants to cripple us from the JOY available to us in
suffering.
In Christ? There is no shame or condemnation!
The beauty is…Our calling leads us to not only transformation in others, but a consecration and holiness in ourselves THROUGH suffering, as we minister the gospel. (II Tim. 1:9)
Don’t fear friends…
JESUS NULLED DEATH AND MADE IT OF NO EFFECT! (II Tim. 1:10)
In the slow death [of self], that happens through suffering, we have the gift of becoming more consecrated to life lived in holiness, through Him.
It is this dross, this residue, that God purifies us from as we embrace suffering, allowing Him to shine brighter in and through us, making us an even stronger witness to the gospel of Jesus!
Through suffering, Christ showed Paul KINDNESS, and ministered to His needs. (II Tim. 1:16)
Doesn’t He do the same for us? He doesn’t leave or abandon us, but comes near in kindness, in and through hardships.
When we suffer, God is NEAR US, LAVISHING KINDNESS, RESTORING, and WORKING IN US…SUPPLYING EVERY NEED according to His riches and glory. (Phil. 4:19)
The Amplified version of Scripture shares, God comforted and revived and braced Paul, like fresh air. (11 Tim 1:16)
Then, Paul mentions Jesus, “He was not ashamed of my chains and immprisonment [for Christ’s sake].” (I Tim. 1:16)
If God is not ashamed of us amidst our suffering for Him, why do we live ashamed in front of man, whom God molded and created out of dust?
If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31)
Let’s not let shame shrink or hide us away from suffering. No, we don’t go look for suffering, but suffering does come, as it is married to any true, living, power-laden gospel, centered on Jesus Christ.
“STIR UP! (Rekindle the embers of, fan the flame of, and keep burning) the (gracious) gift of God,” Paul tells Timothy, and encourages US! (I Tim. 1:6)
Any true Gospel will accompany suffering…
But we can walk in fearlessness and confidence…because God is greater than our fears, sin and death were nullified at the cross, and the POWER of Jesus Christ was born and lives in us!
Find JOY friends…there is JOY in and through your suffering! None of what you are experiencing, was ever allowed in vain.
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6 Comments
There seems to be a “theme” this morning as I keep reading about suffering. This >> “None of what you are experiencing, was ever allowed in vain.” May we keep our eyes on the Lord, knowing He redeems and uses all we go through for our good, and more importantly, for His glory.
There is so much scriptural truth that links suffering to glory, and yet the first thing that springs to my lips when I am asked how I’m doing is, “I’m fine!”
When will we learn that Jesus did not die for us so that we could all hide behind a facade of fine?
Today still people try to throw others back under the law – saying our salvation doesn’t break the curse of sin – and it breaks my heart because I know what that means to me – that the curse is broken – and there is no shame, for like you say, “For I know him.” St. Augustine said that the only difference between the Christian and the pagan how we handle the suffering and challenges we face – because we both face suffering. Christian’s invite Christ into it – and that makes all the difference. Your message goes straight to my heart! Such good, liberating truth you remind me with!
I am so glad that suffering as a part of God’s plan and purpose for us is being taught at present.
You have presented an excellent case here, dear Jen.
Jono and I are always discussing suffering and how God redeems it and brings something beautiful from it, in the fulness of His time.
thanks Jen for hosting 🙂 Shame is a nasty thing isn’t it? I love how you remind us God is near to us supplying our every need as we suffer. Great reminder
This topic has been on my heart for months now. I have carried so much shame for most of my life. The Lord is freeing from it and that is a beautiful thing. I shared about my recent learning here https://lisaostreim.com/2018/06/14/the-cross-bears-all/ about how the Lord is not only freeing me from the shame of the sin I have already brought to Him but also the unjust treatment or suffering I have experienced due to others sins. Oh, the Lord is good and faithful to lift and carry those heavy burdens of shame.