Journey to The Journey

As Cody pointed out, the suffering that Jesus promises for Paul isn't meant as a punishment for the sins of his former life. The hope of the Gospel is that all of our sins - past, present, and future - are paid for by Christ on the cross. This means that the full wrath of God against the elect is satisfied by Jesus' sacrificial death, once and for all time. Thus, there can be no more "punishment" for us to bear. Therefore, the suffering that Jesus is talking about in the life of Paul (and in the lives of all believers) must have some different and greater purpose. Let's investigate that idea.

I have a theological "man crush" on the Apostle Paul. There...I said it! I can't help it, I am just completely intrigued by the man. I have more resources in my theological library devoted to the Apostle Paul, than any other single person or subject (I guess with exception of Jesus...since it's all ultimately about him). Here's the proof...

"Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated

Notice though that is not the Christian that condemns the world, it is the very word of God himself. I am in no way qualified to point out the guilt of another, and neither are you. It is the word of God that convicts and condemns the sinner. But that's only half of the story.

Being an adult is hard work. I have a lot of things in my life that I am responsible for: family responsibilities, ministry responsibilities, work responsibilities, volunteer responsibilities, social/ethical responsibilities...sound familiar? With all of these responsibilities in our lives, just juggling all of those balls can feel at times really overwhelming. For me, I need help...and I regularly ask my Heavenly Father for it. In fact, one of my most common prayer petitions that I take before the Lord (almost daily) is that he would help me to "steward well what he has entrusted to me." I love that phrase and if you know me well, you've probably heard me say it on multiple occasions. I think it most accurately encompasses what we are called to do as God's creatures.

I've heard some pretty crazy testimonies over the years, but none of them can top that of Paul. Prior to his conversion, he was an intense persecutor of the early church. Paul was literally killing believers before encountering the risen Christ on the road to Damascus. Now fast forward to the time of his letter to the Philippians, he is imprisoned and facing possible martyrdom for proclaiming the Gospel. Talk about a complete 180!!!

Starting with our Savior on the cross, Christian history is dripping with the blood of the martyrs. Jesus' instruction to his followers concerning the coming persecution they should expect to experience has stood the test of time. As long as we, as God's people, live in a world wrought with sin (and sinners), we will encounter opposition and adversity.

If you have spent time in church, you are likely very familiar with the term "gospel." In church culture, it is often attached to everything we do: gospel-centered preaching, gospel-centered community, gospel-centered discipleship...and the list goes on. Too often, the word gospel is misused, misunderstood, and taken for granted. So, what is "the Gospel?"

What is the best gift you've ever received? Maybe it was something material, like an expensive piece of jewelry or a new car. Maybe it was something more sentimental, like a cherished family heirloom or a handmade gift from a child. Maybe it was not something, but rather someone, like your spouse or your children. Whatever it is, undoubtedly it is something you value greatly, perhaps even consider priceless.

The term "Christian" is often misused and misappropriated today. For many people who don't completely deny the existence of God, like atheists, but also don't actively participate in any type of formal religion, Christianity seems like a suitable demographic with which to "self-identify."