Paul is one of our greatest examples as to what the christian life stands for, so much that he begs us to imitate him as he imitates Christ. For the sake of the gospel and Jesus, Paul dealt with "weakness, insults, distress, persecution, and difficulties." He explains further in 2 Cor 6 that he also dealt with "afflictions, hardships, beatings, imprisonments, tulmults, labors, sleeplessness, and hunger." Do we suffer like this for the name, ministry, and kingdom of Christ, or do our sufferings come because of disobedience to the principles, oracles, and commandments of Christ? Because of self achievement or ambition? Because of the things and lusts of this world? Are we willing to truly die to ourselves and live for Christ? Is Christ truly the cornerstone of our life and our works, or simply a block in the wall of our life and our works? Paul was willing to live a sacrificed life for Christ because of grace. He was willing to go beyond his familiar world, freinds, and comforts and step out into the new world of christian, or "little Christ." In the world we do things to receive more of the world, more freinds, more recognition, more comfort, more glory, more money, etc.. but Paul understood that his works, efforts, and sufferings were only justified by the surpassing riches of Christ through His grace, and what the world and flesh pursue for their efforts were worthless and empty in comparison.
Grace was the power of Paul's ministry, but unfortunately I believe that this verse is so grossly misused in the typical christian circles. I would play fun at its misuse saying that this verse is one of those typical self help, false hope, KLove verses, "positive and encouraging." Most christians would use this verse in the context of a covering for sin, or as justification for their sins. And all though this verse should provide strength and encouragement to the christian it is not written in the context of the grace shown towards our sins, it is in context of the reward of grace and its sufficiency for our righteous suffering for "Christ sake" not our own personal bad choices. We are called out of our old life of bondage to sin into a life of bondage to righteousness and God, but too much we go back to the bondage of sin, our Egypt, and then to justify our sin we quote, "that God's grace is sufficient for me." But as Paul taught, God is not a minister of sin, and "Are we to continue to in sin so that grace may increase? May it never be!" Romans 6:1-2. Our loving God desires so much for our affection and attention, so much that He is jealous for it (Ex 34:13-14). So much that He understands that to know Him best is to suffer as Christ suffered (1 Peter 4:12-16, 2 Timothy 3:12), and even so much that He "should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong" (1 Peter 3:17). So it is His will for our lives for us to suffer, and this is the context of Pauls verse to the Corinthians, one towards righteous suffering and not sinful suffering.
Most of us have become short-sighted on the whole context of the gospel. We look at its freedom and misuse it. We are not free to sin, we are free from the bondage of sin. We look at its grace and abuse it. Grace came to teach us to deny ungodliness. We look to the cross, not as a point of regeneration, but as a point to save is from the fiery punishment of hell. Remember the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ has appeared for us to believe (trust in God's understanding not ours), to confess (acknowledge our sin, depravity, and need for God), and repent (change our mind, heart, and emotions towards the Kingdom and not this world). Do you treat the bible as a means for self-help, self-righteousness, self-recovery, self-justification, or is it a place where you go for regeneration and change, knowing your true condition (depraved and utterly sinful), knowing your earthly father (rebellious adam), knowing your spiritual father (satan), knowing the condition of your home (a fallen world), and knowing the condition of your education (full of lies and worldly wisdom). Is God's grace worthy in your life of true change or does your life look like that of the world and your oldself? Is God's grace worthy of Christly suffering and shame or is it still easier to hide and suffer as the world does in their sins? Does your suffering truly reflect the sacrifices you have made for Christ's sake or are they truly impart to your choices apart from the word of God and counsel?
"Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name. For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?" 1 Peter 4:16-18
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