“And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost” (1 Thessalonians 1:6).
Introduction
The Thessalonian Christians had true faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, but apart from their everyday activity for the cause of the gospel, what was the evidence that their lives had been changed? These believers had joy in the Lord in the midst of suffering.
Lives on the line
They were willing to lay their lives on the line for Christ. They never expected silver slippers and petals all the way to Heaven. Why? Paul did not teach such a message. Had he preached a so-called positive message of wealth and health, then they would not have endured too long. Had he done so their Christian lives would have been built upon a different foundation to that described in Scripture. Christianity has little to do with human happiness but rather finds its full expression in the “joy of the Holy Ghost.”
In general people are selfishly grasping for satisfaction in this life. The “me” generation wants fulfilment, contentment, and happiness as it looks out for “No.1.” Our culture is one of trampling over everyone and everything to get to the top and attain the “good life.” Success is no longer measured by pain, effort, hardship and suffering, but by “getting one over” on someone else.
Facing facts
The message of God’s word is directly opposite to that taught by the positivity gurus of today. The gospel begins with the fact that life is going to be difficult and harsh. Ever since Adam’s sin in the Garden of Eden, life on earth has been anything but easy. “Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return” (Genesis 3:17-19).
Man continues in stubborn rebellion against God. He seeks to find fullness of life by his own means. One of the reasons why the curse has not been lifted is found in the fact that man refuses to obey God, so therefore he must suffer the consequences. Of course there will always be those who will claim that they came to Jesus and He made them rich and famous or that they have never know a moments heartache since, but their testimony cannot be qualified with the word of God.
Self-denial
Religious industries might market Jesus as a way to gain emotional well-being and financial success, but that is not what is taught anywhere in Scripture. Instead the Lord Himself speaks of self-denial rather than self-satisfaction. “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?” (Luke 9:23-25). Why did He say this? The apostle Peter writes, “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps” (1 Peter 2:21). Jesus made this statement immediately after He said, “The Son of man must suffer many things” (Luke 9:22). Later He added, “Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment” … “But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Luke 12:22-23, 31-34). This was certainly the experience of the first century church, “And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name” (Acts 5:41) … “We glory in tribulations” (Romans 5:3).
Joy despite it all
The moment we allow ourselves to be governed by the flesh and the world we will lose the joy that the Holy Spirit gives. Obedience to God’s way is costly rather than cheap and will frequently include suffering. Paul was not a stranger to suffering but could still maintain his joy, “Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I. Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not? If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities” (2 Corinthians 11:22-30).
Conclusion
Even in the worst of life’s problems we can find that “the joy of the LORD is [our] strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). A life free of suffering is a fantasy and not worth seeking. No matter what we might have to endure, it does not have to undermine our trust and confidence in God. All of our sufferings are opportunities to draw closer to Him in faith. “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33) … “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full” (John 15:11).
© 1/1/2008