Isaiah - Verse By Verse

Walking through Ephesians - Day 58

versebyverse | January 03, 2008 21:33

Thought:  To me, our culture today needs to recognize the value of suffering!

Question:  Do I find purpose in what I suffer?

Scripture:  Ephesians 3:13 (NIV):  "I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory."

Paul returns to speaking of his own ministry, as he began in verses 2 and 8 to tell them of grace given to him to teach.  He asks them not to be upset by the fact that he suffers many troubles in order to reach the gentiles.  Suffering is discouraging.  We don't want to suffer, nor do we want any of our loved ones to suffer.  But we need to learn the value of suffering--we need to appreciate its "glory."  What is suffering's "glory"?  Like a woman suffers in childbirth to bring life to a baby, so we must see our sufferings as gateways to life.  They prepare us to receive life.  I think without suffering, gifts of life would be taken for granted.  How can we love health without suffering illness?  How can we treasure righteousness without suffering under evil for a time?  How can we love well without shunning hatred and indifference?  How can the gospel be so precious if not opposed so strongly by the enemy who brings sufferings to slow it and defeat it?  The "glory" of suffering, to me, is that, first of all, this thing (the gospel) is worth dying for, worth facing any opposition for, worth giving up everything for.  Willingness to suffer brings nobility and depth and integrity to what is valued.  Paul is willing to suffer.  He treasures the gospel.

Thus the Ephesian Christians need not become discouraged.  Though there are negative circumstances, those very things become their glory as they willingly accept them in order to receive the truth from Paul. 

The "therefore" in this verse is a direct look back to Christ:  His power, His Lordship and the freedom and confidence our faith in Him produces.  It is because of Christ that we can endure suffering.  It is because of Christ that Paul endured suffering.

It's hard to watch someone else suffer.  The Ephesians had to watch Paul suffer.  It was upsetting, no doubt.  But out of this trouble and upset came new life to their souls--their "glory"!  We need to accept the suffering, both in ourselves and in others, as being the best way to "glory."  If we doubt it can be the "best" way, we need to look at Christ, Our Example.  He learned obedience in suffering; we need to asume Paul did as well--obedience to give out the gospel to "gentile dogs."

Prayer:  Thank You, Father, for the "glory" that comes through suffering.  Help me see more of it in all the ways I struggle and, through You, drive away discouragement.  Amen. 

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