City Life Starter

Written by Nate Warren

The Word

“[… Christ Jesus, our Lord,] 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him. 13 Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.”

Ephesians 3:12-13

“For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.” 

Acts 9:16 (Spoken by Jesus, of Paul, in a vision to Ananias)

“…everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted”

2 Timothy 3:12 (Paul to his protege, Timothy)

Reflection

Wait, what? How does Paul reckon that his status as a prisoner of the Roman Empire on behalf of the Jews who want him dead, somehow honors the group of believers, the Ephesus church, that he founded? 

This is Paul’s habitual boasting, though not exactly what you think. Instead of boasting about his accomplishments and abilities, he often gloats over things that are considered shameful in the worldly society. He earlier wrote to the church in Corinth, “I gladly boast in my weaknesses. … I delight in insults, hardships, persecutions, and difficulties.”  (2 Cor 12:9-10 paraphrase) To Paul, when Christians are shamed and hurt by the world because of our fulfillment of God’s purposes, it is a high honor. In this new order of the universe, under Jesus, the shame and suffering inflicted on Paul and anyone associated with him is like one of the ribbons that soldiers wear on their uniform, a citation of exemplary service.

Paul urges these Christians not to lose heart or fall away from their trust in Jesus, or to disassociate from the Church that is ridiculed in society because of association to Paul. They have the access to boldly go to the highest ruler, the Creator, God the Father. With that kind of privilege, who cares what the world thinks?

Application

According to the world’s understanding of power and privilege, it seems counter-intuitive that we have been granted power by the most powerful being in the world and yet would still be subject to sickness, shame, persecution, and death at the hands of our enemies. We must remember that Jesus demonstrated his power through suffering and death, not around it. It’s the world’s way to use power and privilege for our own sake. Jesus-followers lay down our rights and privileges for the sake of others, that they too may know the love of God. Remember, we are dead to that old way.

Paul was persecuted precisely because of his insistence in the truth of the gospel. There are many reasons that we can be subject to suffering, including our own faults and errors. We must not attribute suffering in itself as a sign that we are correct. Rather, we must vigilantly study the scriptures and seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance as we interpret them within the diverse community of Spirit-filled Jesus followers, the Church. We can be sure that this path will lead us to truth, and that the suffering we experience as a result of our witness of truth will be commendable in the Kingdom of Jesus.

Prayer

Father over all things,

You have given us the privilege of boldly approaching You as heirs of Your love and power!
What a marvel You have revealed in us, through Christ and by the Holy Spirit!

May we know You and the full nature of Your will.
Teach us to depend on Your Spirit in every moment, so that our words and actions will accurately bear witness of your Truth.

Give us power to lovingly bear the suffering and malice that we experience as we speak Truth to everyone.
Boldly, we speak to You, and ask these things, by the will of our King, Jesus,
Amen