(13) Strength in Suffering Series
When I was a camp counselor, one of my fellow counselors carried around a huge flashlight. It weighed a ton, and he would let it swing by his side as he walked. I thought that flashlight was overkill until we made our way down the dark trail for a camper’s baptism. It bathed the whole path in light. We counselors weren’t concerned about campers getting lost; they had plenty of light because of that big flashlight. So, we sang, laughed, prayed, and rejoiced with our new sister in Christ. We have a great, bright light, too, and Paul encourages us to use it.
First, Paul tells the suffering saints they are the shining stars that force away the darkness to direct those in darkness and death toward light and life.
“…in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;Holding forth the word of life;”
Philippians 2:15-16
Paul calls the message of salvation the “word of life.” God’s word takes a dying soul and brings her back to life. Without God’s word, we die forever. Without His instruction and His gift of hope, we die forever. The ache and the pain that comes from suffering in this life is a constant reminder of what death eternal tastes like. It is never over. There is no relief. There is no point in trying to overcome the pains of eternal death. Only Jesus overcame that death, and only He can save us to overcome that second endless death. Jesus tells His people, “He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death” (Revelation 2:11). How can one overcome? She must hold onto truth. That’s what Paul is telling these Christians. They are to “hold forth” that lifegiving word, like a flashlight held tightly when one is in the dark.
The Bible in your hands is that flashlight. Do not stop reading it. Do not stop searching it for light. Let its brightness envelope you; let its wisdom show you the way. Keep it close to you and let it guide you. One of the missions of the Adversary is to persuade us to believe we have no guide, that there is no light. The Devil uses suffering to convince us we are in the dark and in death. After all, if I’m suffering, that must mean I’ve lost my way or I’m not doing something good, right? That isn’t true. If you are following Christ and holding up the word of life—keeping it close and obeying, then you can know that the suffering is not a punishment. It’s a labor. It’s pushing against evil. Paul even calls it a labor.
“Holding the forth that word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.”
Philippians 2:16
There are two words Paul uses to describe what it’s like to go against the darkness of this life. The first word is “run,” and it is an athletic term that describes a runner on a racecourse. It means to strive hard, to push yourself, to exert yourself to the utmost. Paul is chained down in a prison, and he is running for them. He labors for their souls. And that word “labor” means to be exhausted by or to do something that is burdensome on the body. If Paul describes his efforts toward the Philippian Christians this way, then how are they feeling? They are tired. They are pushing and exerting themselves to keep the faith, and he is telling them not to give up. This effort they’re making to stick to God isn’t for nothing. He’s telling them to stick close to God’s word; keep it right at eye level through everything they’re going through. This is a labor; it is a long, hard run, but it is worth the effort. He doesn’t want to put all this effort into them for nothing to come of it—and not for his sake. He’s talking about their souls and their eternity. He expresses this in the next verse.
“Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.”
Philippians 2:17
Again, Paul is not getting badges for laboring with Christians. He is restating his desire for them. He loves them, and he wants these brothers and sisters in Christ to know the victory at the end of this life. We all have victory at the end together. We’re cheering each other on, aren’t we?
Not only is Paul one of their biggest encouragers, he’s telling them he’s willing to sacrifice himself for their good. The word for “offered” means to be poured out and is used in instances where someone meets with a violent end, meaning their blood is poured out to save someone else. He couples the poured out term with “sacrifice,” and he reminds the Bible reader who knows about the Old Testament sacrificial system. God used animal sacrifices in worship to instill in humankind from early in history the horror of suffering that comes from sinning. God based that system on a pouring out of animal blood to point to the human blood that would one day flow from Jesus’ body. Sinning brings these horrible consequences. When you choose anything over God, the result will be misery. And that’s not because God is mean; it’s simply the reality. You cannot have good if you reject the Creator of good. You cannot have life if you refuse to listen to the Creator of life. You cannot find your way in darkness, if you refuse to use His Light (John 8:12).
Paul makes sacrifices because there is a greater victory on the other side. There are ways you must sacrifice, too, dear sister. Sometimes we sacrifice relationships with family members, sometimes we exhaust ourselves trying to keep God’s promises in our hearts because of depression and grief, and sometimes we fight against the worldly things we used to do before we became Christians. And it’s hard. Please believe, Christian sister, that it’s all going to end in joy. It is. Always joy. The suffering is necessary; it motivates us to look for the light and hold on to that light. Suffering teaches us to keep our eyes focused on that light and be willing to labor and exhaust ourselves—even die—for others to have that light. This is who we are, and this is cause for rejoicing.
For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.”
Philippians 2:18
Paul tells them they are not alone, and he is cheering them on to victory in Christ. Like the call and sight of your teammates in a relay race, every Christian in this race is urging you to give that last push towards the finish line. They are calling to you, “You can do it!” They are reaching out their hands to you. Don’t give up now or all your work will be for nothing. You can give it your all because Jesus has promised He will never forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). You can more than conquer this (Romans 8:37).
In the next verses Paul will encourage these Christians with a fellow helper.
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