The point and purpose of the church in the world is to preach not ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord. To preach Christ is to provide light in the darkness. We have to face the reality that dominates all Christianity: If we are faithful, it will cause rejection, hatred, and persecution.
"The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil." – John 7:7
Even Jesus Christ could not overcome the sinner's anger when confronted with his sin. The world hated Christ, but we are to still shine as lights in the darkness. The darkness is deep and seductive and is becoming bold in our generation. The darkness is protecting itself by making laws that make wretchedness lawful. The deception of the wicked has legalized murder and sexual perversion, the demolition of the family, and the devastation of children. The corruption in this generation is widespread. We must shine the light into this. But be aware that whatever tolerances the culture had in the past are nonexistent today. Hostility is going to be the response because if they hated Jesus, they would hate you. Many have adjusted the truth to remove any offense. Sadly, we hear people speaking of the gospel as part of some social reform.
Some present the gospel as a means of discovering your purpose, fulfillment, or success. Commonly, the starting point for modern-day evangelism is about you. "God loves you so much that He wants to give you everything your heart desires." This kind of non-gospel promise is so familiar that they pass uncritically. They make the gospel message about the sinner, where he takes center stage, and the sinner is the one who lays down his desires. These are devastating and disgusting misrepresentations of the message of salvation. The gospel is about Christ and is God-centered, not man-centered.
If you're honest about the gospel, be honest about sin, and be urgent. Tell people they need to repent and turn to Christ. Tell them the truth about Christ and His work and support it with Scripture. That's no guarantee they'll respond, but the truth is that most won't. To be faithful, you have to have strong convictions.
"We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;" – 2 Corinthians 4:8-9
You're mistaken if you think this is the path to popularity. Paul was sure of one thing: He was confident of the benefit of suffering. You're going to have hostility and rejection.
"But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you." – 1 Peter 5:10
When your faith survives a horrible disappointment, that's evidence that it's authentic. The longer you live and the more times you've endured trials, and your faith comes out triumphant, the more assurance you enjoy.
Paul says it's hard, but no heartache can cause us to defect. We don't lose heart. We don't perish. Triumph is not freedom from pain. Triumph is not escaping adversity. It is surviving it with God.
1. Suffering For Christ Humbles Us
That is counterintuitive to today's culture, even in the evangelical church. We don't become powerful until we are weak, persecuted, distressed, and insulted. Paul puts himself on the altar of sacrifice. He says suffering is beneficial.
"And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure." – 2 Corinthians 12:7
The reality was that they were not so much offended by Paul. It wasn't something about his style they didn't like; it wasn't that his words were, on the surface, offensive. It was Jesus who was the offense. No matter how winsome or kind you may be or how loving you are, it's an offense when you preach Christ and the gospel.
"For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh." – 2 Corinthians 4:11
It's not just your message that is a rebuke to the world; it's your life. Christ in you comes through in your love for the truth. The world doesn't like it. Christ shines through you as He puts Himself on display through the virtues of your life.
"Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:" – Colossians 1:24
Paul is saying this: "Christ isn't here. They can't do any more damage to Him; they can't inflict any more wounds on Him, so they inflict them on me in His place." What a privilege.
2. Suffering For Christ Involves Integrity
Integrity is acting consistently with what you say you believe. You are not duplicitous or a hypocrite.
"We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God." – 2 Corinthians 4:13-15
I can't say I believe something and not have the courage to say it. Verse 13 says, "I believed, therefore I spoke." What I believe in the Word of God compels me to be confident. I must have the confident conviction that I cannot be silent because this is what we understand from God's Word, and this is what I speak.
What you hear people say is what they believe. And if they don't utter the truth, they don't believe it. They might tell you they believe the truth, but it's not a conviction. What you're afraid to say, you do not believe. Or you do not believe you can say it and be protected by God. That is declaring you don't trust God. If you do not speak the truth, then either you don't believe that truth, or you do believe that truth but only superficially. True belief in God is the foundation for courage. You speak the truth.
"For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God." – 2 Corinthians 4:15
Paul's indomitable courage and integrity of his life: He believed it, so he spoke it, and even if death was the price, that was not a problem because Christ was awaiting him. In preaching the truth, the gospel spreads to more people that would forever give glory to God. The goal of the Christian is never comfort, popularity, or wealth; it's always the salvation of those lost and alienated from God.
3. Eternal Gory Far Outweighs Earthly Suffering
"For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal." – 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
We don't lose heart because spiritual strength is more critical than physical weakness. Every day, things unfold that God could only accomplish in your life. Sometimes, they are joyous, sometimes painful, but they are Him nonetheless.
Future glory was far more important than present humiliation. "Light affliction" is how we should view suffering. Our afflictions are inconsequential because there is an eternal weight of glory. Invisible realities are far more significant than visible realities.
"While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal." – 1 Corinthians 4:18
Paul's vision was not fixed on things seen, temporal things, or the visible world. Paul constantly focused on things that are not seen and that are eternal. Set your affections on things above and not on things on the earth. With those convictions, Paul was faithful to the end. Keep your vision heavenward.
I confess that these are challenging times in many ways, but I don't see a more exciting time to proclaim the truth! When evil is flaunting itself, and the truth is terrifying to the ungodly, it is also the only hope of salvation. Let your light shine before men so they may see your good works and glorify our Father. Be lights shining with the light of the gospel of Christ into the darkness. We must be faithful to the end because suffering for Christ far exceeds what this world offers.