Ephesians 3:13

Day 25

“Therefore I ask you not to lose heart at my tribulations on your behalf, for they are your glory.” Ephesians 3:13

Do Not Lose Heart
Suffering comes to everyone.  The degree and the timing varies widely, but no one can avoid suffering in this broken world.  Even Christians must deal with trials.  We are not exempt from trouble.  As Christ told His disciples the night of His arrest.  These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)  Believers will have tribulation in this world, but we can have peace in the midst of trouble.  In Christ, we have peace. 

Paul found himself in the midst of trouble.  He was in prison, awaiting trial before Caesar.  The outcome of his legal proceedings seemed uncertain.  (Philippians 1:21-26)  However, regardless of the outcome, Paul knew his ultimate destiny was with Christ.  Paul had suffered much even before this arrest and imprisonment.  (II Corinthians 11)  The more fundamental issue goes beyond Paul’s arrest or the nature of his suffering.  As Jesus told the disciples, tribulation comes to us all.  As such, believers must have a theology of suffering.  Let’s consider Paul’s understanding of the doctrine of suffering.

First, God sovereignly allowed Paul’s suffering.  Earlier in Ephesians 3 Paul informed the Gentile Christians of his situation.  “For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles” (Ephesians 3:1)  Christ imprisoned Paul, not the Roman government.  Paul acknowledged the will of God in his circumstances.  For Christians, nothing comes to us without the sovereign will of God.  The direct cause of our suffering may be someone else’s sin or their mistake.  The direct cause of our suffering may be something beyond any human control, such as an illness.  Ultimately nothing happens to us without God allowing it. 

Second, God used suffering in Paul’s life to develop character.  And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. (Romans 5:3-5)  Our tribulations bring about a process of spiritual maturity.  This spiritual development will not occur if our life is trouble free.  For the believer, we know that God develops us through our trials.  That knowledge helps us as we face difficult times.  God never waste our struggles.  He uses them for a display of His grace and for our maturity.

Third, God used suffering in Paul’s life to give Paul a merciful character toward others in the midst of their suffering. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.  (II Corinthians 1:3-4)  God comforts us in our trials and then puts us into service by comforting others in their trials. 

Fourth, God used suffering in Paul’s life to remind us all that this life is temporary, but the eternal things are better by far.  Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.  (II Corinthians 4:16-18)  Paul described his suffering as momentary and light.  Given the depth of pain that he experienced this is an amazing statement.  However, the reason for “momentary and light” comes from the alternative for the believer.  Our reward is eternal and weighty.  Paul knew that faithfully living through trials and tribulations produced something in his life that lasts forever.  We long for the day when the troubles of this life cease and we receive the eternal inheritance that is ours in Christ.  The knowledge of that future, eternal glory sustains us when we walk through challenges today.

Fifth, God used suffering in Paul’s life to display the work of suffering that was seen in the person of Christ Himself.  Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions. (Colossians 1:24)  Paul rejoiced in his sufferings for the sake of the church because it filled up in the church the lack of example and display of Christ’s afflictions.  Christ suffered for our sins.  Now, the church, as the witness of Christ, will also suffer as an example of the redemption God brought about for us through the suffering of Christ.  The trials of the church allow the church to put on display as a model the same type of suffering experienced by our Savior.  Our suffering, with a full trust in God, models the suffering of Christ in His fulfillment of the Father’s plan to bring about our salvation.

Paul told the church not to be discouraged because of his tribulations, even though he was suffering because he had brought the Gospel to them.  His suffering came about through the glorious plan of God to bring eternal life to the Gentiles.  God has a purpose and a plan even in the midst of our suffering.  We can trust Him.

Suggested Prayer:  God, grant us the strength to see through eternal eyes all that is happening to us and around us.  Help me to have joy even when troubles come into my life.  Help me to not lose heart but to trust in the future weight of glory that is far greater than anything in this life.  Amen.

Ephesians