Standing in a Fallen World
Hope Series
“Therefore, we should boast and rejoice in our sufferings - knowing that in these dark places we find communion with God…”
“Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”
Explanation:
Despite his many sufferings, it would still be appropriate to call Paul "the apostle of hope." Whenever Paul speaks of life, he speaks of the suffering that necessarily is attached to it. In some sense, to live in a fallen world is to deal with a certain amount of suffering on this side of heaven. Such is the fruit of sin, that we shall now be made to toil and get by through the sweat of our brow (Gen. 3:19). But Paul also knows that God works in ways that turn things on their heads. In fact, God is present in the depths of our suffering, having endured such depths himself. Therefore, we should boast and rejoice in our sufferings - knowing that in these dark places we find communion with God in these places where we are formed, sculpted through trial and suffering by way of our carrying our own crosses.¹
Connection:
The philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer once quipped, "If the immediate and direct purpose of our life is not suffering then our existence is the most ill-adapted to its purpose in the world.” It is often striking that for some of these men who think they are taking jabs at conventional Christian perspectives actually wind up being so close to being correct. To be sure, Schopenhauer was no acquaintance of Christian hope - but he's much closer to the mark with this remark than he thinks.
Indeed, our Lord himself says that to follow him is to carry a cross - to make peace with the idea of suffering. The difference is that Schopenhauer's suffering is pointless. It is something that one needs to come to terms with the absurdity thereof. But for the Christian, suffering has an additional dimension, a dimension of hope. Our suffering can be seen in light of redemption and the future glorification of this entire fallen order. Thus, in the meantime, we Christians can rejoice in these fires of suffering - knowing that they are not a pointless, indifferent accident of a meaningless existence - as Schopenhauer would see it. Rather, this is a refining fire, for which we endure for the greater hope whose full realization has yet to come.
Action:
1. Endure -
Paul speaks of "long-suffering" as one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit (Col 3:12). To be able to endure is to rest in God's spirit that is within you to endure whatever trials in light of the hope that is within you.
2. Immerse in the Word -
"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful" (Heb. 10:23). Hold steadfast to the promises In God's word, for he will never leave nor forsake you. His word is truth.
3. Pray -
It can often be hard to remain hopeful in times of great distress or sense of hopelessness. The Bible tells us not to "be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God" (Phil 4:6-7). Bring your concerns to him, and he will give you rest for your soul and the hope to endure.
¹Douglas J. Moo, Romans (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan Publishing House, 2000), 275.