19) Strength in Suffering Series
When Peter stepped out of the boat to go to Jesus, he was risking his life. Yet, he believed Jesus would give him safe passage. Matthew 14 records that Peter began to sink when he noticed the wild winds stirring up the waves and rocking the boat. He was standing in the midst of the sea in the dark of night, and the Bible says he became afraid. The fact that Peter got out of the boat and walked toward Jesus on water sometimes gets forgotten. He was braver than the majority of us; he actually made it out of the boat and within arm’s reach of Jesus. Peter was a fisherman who knew the water, and he knew what a treacherous wind was. In that moment, the strength of Peter’s faith was tested against his years of experience and know-how on the sea. Jesus told him it was his lack of faith that caused him to sink. Jesus could have kept him from ever sinking. Instead, He reached out his hand to catch Peter, supporting him. Jesus used the opportunity to teach Peter, and Bible readers, what wavering faith looks like. We think our faith begins strong, but then our life situations and experiences obscure our vision. We begin to see how we trust in what we know rather than who God is. Peter’s test of faith is one moment among many found in the Bible when a believer is scared of losing his life, and Paul gives us what the Christian’s response is when her faith is full, not lacking, when faced with losing her life.
Yea verily, and I count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but refuse, that I may gain Christ,…
Philippians 3:8
Paul reveals how he has a value system that is not what the world values. He says he is willing to give up everything for the one thing he wants the most. He values Christ working in him more than anything else, more than his position, his education, his family background, or his personal successes. Faith grows from the belief that Jesus is worth more than anything this world has to offer, even one’s life.
What causes you to fall back on your own strengths and understanding in times of trouble? Paul had abundant skills and strengths of his own, but they were “refuse,” which means dung or poop. Paul’s worldly gains were like the excrement the body gets rid of because it has nothing nutritious or helpful to grow a person. This is a distasteful visual, and it is a distasteful thing to treat feces like it is gold or something to be valued. That is the point: the things you have been taught to value in this world are not the cherished possessions and positions you think they are. They need to be treated with their real value–their value compared to God–for you to grow your spiritual body in Christ.
…and be found in him, not having a righteousness of mine own, even that which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith:…
Philippians 3:9
This statement from Paul is especially telling. Paul works incessantly and gives up all for Christ, and he never sees himself as strong; he sees Christ working in him. Christ is the strength. Christ reaches out his hand and gives Paul the goodness and capability to stand up and never sink. When one begins to give up all for Christ, it is not her righteousness that she leans on.
This brings to mind words from the second verse of the song, “Follow Me” by Ira Stanphill.
“I work so hard for Jesus” I often boast and say,
“I’ve sacrificed a lot of things to walk the narrow way,
I gave up fame and fortune; I’m worth a lot to thee.”
When faith in not full and mature, a Christian forgets that her sacrifices don’t fill her up with righteousness. Even while she serves, she can mistakenly believe that the impetus and power behind the work she does is her own. Her confidence is misplaced, and she forgets she is incapable of walking on the water. She needs Christ to hold her up and make her clean and whole in Him.
…that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, becoming conformed unto his death;…
Philippians 3:10
The thinking of the child of God who is full of faith is simply, “My life is Christ’s” because Jesus’ power gives her life. Jesus’ sufferings extended far beyond any Christian’s sufferings, and death in Jesus is what brings life. If a Christian views herself as already being dead and living through Christ, then she is no longer deriving strength from herself. Her strength, her value, her life is in the hands of the One who holds her up.
…if by any means I may attain unto the resurrection from the dead.
Philippians 3:11
Paul ends this thought with the hope that keeps him full of faith: the resurrection from the dead. Paul believes that Jesus will raise him eternally. Paul is trusting in Jesus’ promise of eternal life. Jesus told his disciples in Mark 10 what will be given to the faithful who give up everything for Him. “Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or mother, or father, or children, or lands, for my sake, and for the gospel’s sake, but he shall receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life (Mark 10:29-30).”
Being dead to the world doesn’t mean things don’t matter anymore, but that things matter from an eternal view. Your relationships with your husband, your children, your brothers and sisters in Christ, your family and friends, the community, the nation are all considered with eternity in mind. Your relationship with God is eternal. Your walk with Christ is continual. You don’t stop serving Him when threat of riot, epidemic, or public pressure cause you to question the water you’re walking on. The tumultuous winds of change will always blow; the waves of uncertainty will continue to crash around you. You are not your own. You are dead to the world and alive in Christ. As your faith is tested, hold to Him, knowing He will save you. And like Peter, we all have times of doubt. Think on the many times Jesus has reached out and kept you from sinking and ask yourself what He asked Peter: “Why did you doubt?”
Go on to Press On.
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