Suffering for the Right Reasons
But take your share of suffering for the Gospel in the power of God. (II Timothy 1:8)
Read: II Tim. 1:3-8; Acts 5:41; Heb. 11:25; I Pet. 2:20
What Is God Saying?
In this letter, Paul is taking up his pen for the last time. There were no more doctrines to set down in Rome, no more arguments to settle in Corinth, no more heresies to lay to rest in Colosse, but there was Timothy, his beloved son in the Gospel. In his cold prison cell, Paul longed to see Timothy again. Timothy had been such a part of his life. Now, as the days of that life appeared to be running out, he needed to be encouraged. He asked Timothy to pick up his warm cloak and some of his favorite books. ‘Do your best to come soon ... come before winter’ (4:9,21).
Whether Timothy, even doing his best, would get to Rome on time, was not the most important item on the agenda. He must be told that he would get his share of suffering wherever he was. On the move or at rest, around strangers or on familiar turf, whether by word of mouth or deeds of life, testifying to our Lord brings our share of suffering. That is why Paul includes in his letter these words, ‘Endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ’ (II Tim. 2:3). These were not idle words. Paul was imprisoned in a cell and held there by chains as if he were one of the ten most wanted in the Roman Empire. Out of the shame of criminal status, he writes about not being ashamed. Out of the pain of bearing heavy chains because of the Gospel, he writes about suffering for the sake of the Gospel. He could endure all this and encourage Timothy to do the same because he was confident in the power of God.
How Does This Apply To Us?
In the power of God is the way we can do the impossible. We have other choices. Timothy could have sent the cloak and books by Federal Express and Paul would have had them long before winter. He could have commuted to Rome every week after handling the Sunday services. One who lives consistent with the Gospel will find the going rough in our secular, often godless society. We will be thought peculiar. We will lose friends. We will not be welcome in some circles. Even our own family may not understand, but in the power of God, we can keep on testifying and we can suffer for the Gospel, wherever that leads us and whatever it requires of us. We can do it in the power of God. When the impossible is required, God supplies the power. We are to be vessels, available, clean, and ready. The most important ability that God requires is availability. He does the rest.
Pray With Me
Lord, I cannot say that based on my capacity or my desire I am able or willing to share in suffering for the gospel. My life has too often proved the opposite. Today You have led me to a wonderful discovery. I can suffer and I can be willing to suffer when it is in the power of God. This kind of suffering-
• does not lead to despair,
• does not rob life of its meaning and purpose,
• does not drain the heart of its joy,
• does not open the door to misery,
• does not nourish the spirit of complaint,
• does not build walls of self-pity.
If it is Your will, Lord, let me take my share of suffering for the sake of the Gospel but always and only in the power of God. Acting thus, in faith, I will discover an open door to glory and life and peace. Let me see the Father's smile beyond the pain of duty. Let me hear the Master's well done beyond the burden of toil. Relying on Your strength I would even welcome my share of suffering if by so doing I could bring the gospel to others. As I do not ask for suffering in my strength, I cannot ask to avoid it when with that suffering You send Your power. Help me not to question Your providence. Help me not to doubt Your power. Help me not to miss Your purpose in any suffering which may come upon me for the sake of the Gospel.
In the name of Him who in the power of love divine suffered to redeem mankind. Amen.
Moving On In The Life of Prayer
It is seldom that we use the word suffering in connection with anything the Christian encounters today, but when it comes, we can endure it in the power of God. As we pray, then, our prayer should very consci0usly ask for the enabling power of the living Lord.
• In quiet openness, we receive the Holy Spirit's power.
• In courageous living and loving service we use the power.
• In loving the unloveable and in reaching the unreachable, the God of power and the power of God uses us.
Listen to the Word of God. Let in the power of God. To move on in the life of prayer, make more room for the power of God and make plans to see that the power is used.
