Philippians 1:29-30

Passage

This has been graciously granted to you all on behalf of Christ: not only for you all to believe in Him but even to suffer on His behalf.  You have the same struggle; you all once saw it in me and now you all hear it in me.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

God has not just granted us the ability to suffer.  He has graciously granted us the ability to suffer.  I don’t make this point flippantly; neither does Paul.  The word charidzomai (χαρίζομαι) is used often by Paul (See Philippians 2:9 where it is often translated as “bestowed” or Galatians 3:8 where it is often translated as “gave.”) and it literally means: to give or grant graciously and generously, with the implication of good will on the part of the giver.  When Paul uses this word he is using it as a word that implies a good thing is being handed out by God.  {The root of this verb is charis (χάρις), which is most typically translated as “gift” and is etymologically related to a word you’ll freely recognize in English: charisma (χάρισμα).}

Do you see suffering as being a gift graciously given to you by God?  What does this reveal to us about the reality of our perspective or priority?

Second Thought:

Paul is really telling us here that faith is a double edged sword and we need to be prepared for both edges.  The first edge is a great edge: we are given the ability to believe in Jesus Christ!  We are given the ability through Jesus to have relationship with the Father!  What an awesome gift indeed.  The second edge is just as great of an edge: we are granted the ability to suffer for our faith.  We are made separate from the world because of our faith.  We are different.  You know what happens to people who are different in this world.  Yeah, they suffer for it.

Do you really suffer for your faith?  If so, how do you specifically suffer for your faith?  If not, what might God be saying to you through Paul’s words?

Third Thought:

Paul gives an expectation of suffering.  When Paul was among the Philippians, he suffered.  We can read about that story in the book of Acts.  When Paul left, his suffering continued.  It has continued to continue.  Everywhere Paul goes there is an element of suffering and persecution that follows him around.  Like the Philippians, we can always see it and hear it.  Yet, it is a shared suffering.  Paul expects that suffering to likewise come among the Philippians.  They have the same struggle.  True disciples of Jesus will face the same persecution from the world that Jesus Himself faced.

Do you agree with this last point?  Does it make sense that those who truly follow Jesus will face the same struggles that Jesus faced?  What does this really mean for you?  How does it make you feel to know that you will face the same rejection that Jesus, Paul, and Jesus’ own disciples faced?  How does it make you feel to know that as a true disciple, you will not be alone?

Passage for Tomorrow: Philippians 2:1-4