“Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.” That isn’t necessarily the message we want to hear. Suffering is never an option we readily choose for ourselves. Yet, in our suffering we can grow. From our mistakes, we can learn. In our weakness, we can see the power of Christ at work.
Paul cautions us not to forget Jesus’ resurrection. “Always remember that Jesus Christ, a descendant of King David, was raised from the dead. This is the Good News I preach.” In other words, remember that Jesus was a man and Jesus is God. That can be a hard concept for us to wrap our heads around, but it is the basis for our faith.
For Paul, it was this remembrance that kept him going when his situation looked hopeless. Paul endured many unpleasant things throughout his ministry. Yet, his faithfulness never waned. “So I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen.” Can you echo Paul? Are you willing to endure “anything” to further the kingdom?
The “trustworthy saying” that follows may have been a hymn or something referred to by the early followers. As I read it, it was like I was transported to other Scripture verses that remind of this message. In Romans 6:2-11, it speaks of how we have already died and live in Christ’s resurrection. Or Jesus’ words in Luke 9:24, “If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.”
As for the trials that we endure, we can look to 1 Peter 4:13, “Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.” I can’t think of a better partner to have as I go through life. Having Jesus by my side, cheering me along, giving me his power, is such a gift.
Do you deny Christ or do you embrace him? Jesus said to us in Matthew 10:32-33, “Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.” It can sometimes be scary to confess our faith in this world. That’s if we are worried about popularity in the world. Think about where you want to place your trust.
Finally, I love this last one. We may fall away, but God is always faithful. He can’t be any other way. That’s just his nature. He never abandons us, even when we are being unruly children. I don’t look at it as a prescription to go out and be wild and crazy. Instead, I see it as the assurance that God’s grace is for me always, and I want to be open to him to accept it. I choose to remember Jesus. What about you?
Let’s pray … Lord, again I am overcome with awe of your majesty and provision for me. I don’t ever want to deny you or what you have done for me. May I never take credit for the mighty works you do in and through me. I pray protection on my loved ones and ask for your continued guidance so I can follow the path you have laid before me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
