Amazingly, the Apostle Paul seemed never to have worn the mantle of victimhood as a redeemed man, regardless of the physical suffering or social condemnation he experienced. It was antithetical to his “in Christ” perspective. He would not be put to shame as a person for whom Christ had died, risen, and ascended. He had it all!
He could enumerate his insults and beatings to instruct, sure, but he wore them like a badge of honor. To suffer for Christ was noble. He did not seek pity, but rather showed how his sufferings for Christ were an aspect and demonstration of the salvation he had been given. That is, it was part of the new make up of believers, he repeatedly said, to eat up those sufferings for the greater cause and to rise above them as one never defeated by them, but turning them to good. This is truly Christlike, as illustrated best when Jesus bore the sufferings of the cross meant to defeat him. Jesus wasn’t folded by his enemies; rather, he foiled them.
Not even death defeated Jesus, nor did Satan, nor evil men motivated by demonic desires . . .they worked for him! Temporary subjection to suffering and death was the eternal plan to bring life to others. In this same manner, the Apostle Paul speaks about himself and suffering:
But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you. (2 Corinthians 4:7-12)
You cannot put such a man down. What can you do to him? Kill him? But that only delivers him where he would love to be. He taught that this victory over suffering and the perpetrator of that suffering is an aspect of his full salvation. It is the defeat of the powers of sin and death to rise above the plots or circumstances against him. And so, encountering trouble and overcoming by his union with Christ brought him a constant counterintuitive joy. This joy in the birthright of all in union with Christ.
I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:12-21)
What a great boon his suffering was!
He tells the church in Philippi that they must emulate and even share in this suffering with him without fear of anyone but God. In other words, rising above the suffering, and even the prospect of death, they must not be intimidated — the enemy cannot have true victory. Don’t give in. We have the victory! Here’s how he presses them not to whimper under trial. It is a sign of our salvation!
. . . and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.” (Philippians 1:28-30)
He states finally that the church is to “work out their own salvation.” What does this mean? It means that they (and we) must take comfort in our victory in Christ related to our own peculiar or unique sets of trials. We must stop whining about inconvenience or pressures from evil sources. God is at work in you at every level. We cannot be ultimately defeated, so stop grumbling under the oppression. We are not to tremble at them, but only fear God. We are to shine as lights, hold fast the word of life (the gospel with all its ramifications) in the midst of this present raging darkness. Rejoice in the face of all that looks defeating. Show the victory! Live out your salvation won at a such a price by our Conquering King! It’s true and I’m preaching this to myself.
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.”(Philippians 2:12-18)
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