But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. – 2 Corinthians 4:7, 16-18 ESV
As I begin writing this article, I’ve just finished watching the FBC Waynesburg church service online. I’m thankful we have numerous church leaders who can cover things while the senior pastor is sidelined with a nasty respiratory bug. I’m also grateful for the technology that makes it possible to view church online. Still, it’s deeply frustrating when I can’t be with my beloved congregation physically to worship with them. As I turn to the Scriptures, the Lord reminds me that sickness and human frailty are important parts of the believer’s life. In these verses, there are at least three encouraging truths to glean.
First, physical hardships demonstrate God’s surpassing power for ministry. The Lord’s work in a church isn’t done by just one or two people, it’s done by a local spiritual body cooperating together, empowered by the Holy Spirit. I’ve been aware of more than one congregation revolving not around Christ, but around a prominent individual. It could be the pastor or it could be a lay leader. Regardless, a church personality cult is not only unhealthy but unbiblical. The Apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 3:4-6, “For when one says, ‘I follow Paul,’ and another, ‘I follow Apollos,’ are you not being merely human? What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.” Christ is always to be the head of the church, with God doing the ministry through the local body.
Second, physical hardships encourage God’s inner working for renewal. I have seen time and time again that when physical hardships are experienced by followers of Jesus, their faith grows and deepens. The popular health and wealth message would say that the greater the godly character a person possesses, the greater his physical health and financial prosperity will be. Actually, the exact opposite is the Biblical truth. The greater the physical afflictions a Christian experiences, the stronger his godly character becomes. Paul says in Romans 5:3-5, “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”
Third, physical hardships lead to God’s eternal glory. Recently my grandson Easton and I were watching the animated version of “Pilgrim’s Progress” by John Bunyan. In that classic allegory, the main character “Christian” is making his journey from the City of Destruction to the Celestial City. His travels are not easy, but hard and challenging. His focus however, is not on his present path, but on his future destination. Hebrews 13:14-15 say, “For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.”
So whatever hardships you may be experiencing, be encouraged to know that they are part of God’s plan for you. His plan is always perfect. His way is always best.
In Christian Love,
Pastor David
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