JOY IN CHRISTIAN SUFFERING: Philippians 1:27-30

We come this morning to a topic that is not fun. It is a topic of suffering. The idea can raise many different pictures in our minds. I often think of someone battling cancer. Perhaps you think of something else.

When we hear the word suffering, we often respond with sadness, empathy/sympathy, and avoidance. We seek to avoid suffering and when in the midst of suffering we work as hard as possible to get out of that suffering.

Now, what we see in this passage, and Scripture as a whole, is not that we should seek suffering. We are not masochists, deriving pleasure from pain.

However, we, as followers of Jesus Christ, must approach the topic of suffering as James reminds us in James 1:2-3,

James 1:2–3 NIV

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

James, as do many of the authors of Scripture, views suffering as a tool in our sanctification. Our response, then, is joy, full or pure joy, because we know that God is at work in our lives. But this suffering is purposeful.

Jerry Bridges, in his book Trusting God Even When Life Hurts, writes,

“God does not delight in our sufferings. He brings only that which is necessary, but He does not shrink from that which will help us grow.”—Jerry Bridges, 189

We see that suffering, though certainly not fun nor enjoyable, is nonetheless necessary in our growth into the likeness of Jesus Christ, and rather than viewing it with disdain, the Christian, through the grace of God and the fruit of the Holy Spirit, can “count it pure joy.”

In fact, before we get into our passage in Philippians, we see this very thought in 1 Peter 2:19-23.

1 Peter 2:19–23 NIV

For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.

Do you see how Christ Himself responded? He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly. Here is the perfect Son of God enduring insults, injuries, and suffering, and He responded with trust to God His Father.

How do we have joy in Christian suffering? I see two primary ways that Paul offers us in verses 27-30.

I. Be a Good Citizen-1:27-28

When I say, “Be a good citizen,” I do not be you should be a good citizen of the United States, though I think you should. Paul tells us to “conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ” (NIV), “let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ” (ESV), or “let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ” (KJV).

What is Paul getting at? The idea behind these phrases is citizenship. If you remember, when we read about the birth of the Church at Philippi in Acts 16:12, Luke described Philippi as “a Roman colony and the leading city of that district of Macedonia.” It was a proud city, a city whose inhabitants enjoy full Roman citizenship.

To give you an idea of how beneficial it was to be a citizen, I have given you a quote from the Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible.

“The rights of Roman citizenship were extensive, including the right to vote; to hold office; to serve in the military; to purchase, possess, sell, and bequeath property; to enter into a legal contract; to have a fair trial; and to appeal to Caesar.” (Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible, s.v. citizenship)

Now, when Paul tells us to be good citizens, he is not saying to be a good citizen of the Roman Empire (or, to put it in our context, to be a good citizen of the US). He is giving us a play on words, because he connects our citizenship not with the kingdoms of this world, but to our citizenship in heaven.

He will write in 3:20, “But our citizenship is in heaven.” You see, when he tells us to be a good citizen, he is referring to our citizenship in heaven, our privileges and graces of being a child of God.

Thus, Paul writes “whatever happens” or “only,” conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ.” As a result of conducting ourselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ, or letting our manner of life be worthy of the Gospel or let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ, good citizens will do specific things.

Good citizens of the United States will pay taxes, cast their informed votes, be involved with the progression of their towns and cities and states. Good citizens of heaven will also do specific things. Beginning with...

A. Good citizens practice spiritual unity—conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ

One aspect of being a good citizen (or conducting ourselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel) is to practice spiritual unity. Regardless of the Lord’s working in Paul’s life (i.e., deliverance or continued imprisonment), Paul wants the Philippians to “stand firm in the one Spirit.” Stand firm in the faith. That is the essence of our unity.

The Holy Spirit is the center point of our unity, and this limits our unity in tremendous ways. Today, it is popular to cast aside truth in order to have unity.

In his book, Finding the Right Hills to Die On, by Gavin Ortlund, writes, “The overall trajectory of our culture, particularly among younger generations, probably tends more toward doctrinal minimalism and indifferentism.” (45)

Unity is important in the Church. In fact, Jesus prayed for unity. He prayed, “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.” (John 17:20-21)

Unity is a key aspect of conducting ourselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ. But our unity is based in the Spirit. Here are a few references that I encourage you to read, because they limit the amount of unity we can enjoy with many people who claim the name of Christ.

These references are: John 16:8, 13; 14:26; 15:26; 1 John 5:6; Gal. 4:6, 1 Cor. 2:10; and Eph. 6:14. This place our unity within the bounds of the truths of Scripture. Walk then, brothers and sisters, in one Spirit.

B. Good citizens preach the Gospel—striving together as one for the faith of the gospel

Good citizens practice spiritual unity, but they also preach the Gospel. Paul, in elaborating on conducting ourselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ, tells us that we must preach the Gospel. We must strive together for the faith of the Gospel.

Jesus offers His disciples, and by extension us, these last words before His ascension. He says, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matt. 28:18-20)

Our task, our commission, is to make disciples and to help them grow. As good citizens we must preach the Gospel. It is not optional. If you are a child of God, then you have no choice but to preach the Gospel. And why would we not want to preach the gospel?

You were a sinner on their way to eternal hell and torment, and God, in His grace, for absolutely no reason on your behalf, saved you and adopted you into His family. Greater than any cure of cancer, the Gospel is the eternal cure for the evilness of sin which has separated us from God and is pushing us headlong into the torments of hell.

Then, after God has gracious and eternally saved us, He tells us, Let’s work together. Good citizens, in response, preach the Gospel. We have mentioned this before, but this first portion of this letter is focused on preaching the Gospel. Paul gave his life to make disciples of all nations and to teach them everything Christ taught.

Are we preaching the gospel? Even in the midst of this pandemic and difficulties, are we preaching the Gospel? We do not receive a “get out of preaching the Gospel card” simply because of this virus. Does it change the methods? Certainly, but if we are to conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, we must preach the Gospel.

But there is a third aspect of practicing heavenly citizenship.

C. Good citizens do not fear the Enemy—without being frightened…by those who oppose you

As citizens of heaven, we have the Triune God as our sovereign. If we think about this concept in our present circumstances, there are certain benefits that come with being a citizen of the United States. We have an incredibly powerful country, and because of this people treat US citizens differently.

While this should not produce arrogance, it does provide us with a certain amount of safety. But in a greater way, we have privileges and protections as citizens of heaven that far exceed those of being a US citizen. Therefore, Paul tells us not to fear our opponents.

As we conduct ourselves in a worthy manner, we will find ourselves opposed. We have enjoyed a certain freedom and even respectability in our country as Christians. It did not cost anything to claim for one’s self Christ as Savior and Lord. But this is rapidly changing. Now it is looked down upon to be a Christian. Now we face litigation for meeting as the body of Christ.

This should not surprise us, though. Jesus told us that we should expect opposition. In John 16:33 Jesus says,

John 16:33 NIV

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Though Christ has overcome the world, we are still experiencing difficulties (even up to the end of all, see Rev. 19-20). We have a great enemy. The devil is, second only to God, the most powerful being in creation. He is far wiser, greater in power, and more crafty and wicked than you and I could ever imagine.

The devil is so powerful that even Michael the archangel “does not himself dare to condemn him for slander.” (Jude 1:9) He destroys and ravages humans. We are to be sober, Peter tells us, because he walks around like a lion. We do not take him or our opponents lightly.

But, we are not to fear them. Why? Considering his power, wisdom, and cunning, why wouldn’t we fear him? Because we are on God’s side. We, when we conduct ourselves as citizens of heaven by unifying in the Spirit and preaching the Gospel, though opposition will come, have the almighty God as our Father in heaven.

The words of Petrus van Mastricht are here encouraging,

“…a devout reflection upon the divine authority and power [of God] builds a solid confidence in which we securely commit ourselves, our goods, all our fortune, efforts, and undertakings, to God, because.... (3) No enemy can prevail against him (John 10:29; 1 John 4:4; Rom. 9:19), indeed, not even a united front of enemies, the gates of hell (Matt. 16:18; Ps. 3:6-7; 68:1-2), because he is our omnipotent Lord Sabaoth, ‘of hosts’ (Ps. 46:11; Ps. 89:8).”—Petrus van Mastricht

Brothers and sisters, God is our God. Therefore, do not be frightened in anyway. These enemies of ours are pawns in God’s hand throughout this life. The devil, though powerful he be, is less than a dog on the leash of its owner. If a drop of rain does not fall without God’s express command, then the devil and his fiendish allies can do nothing without His expression permission.

Right before Christ would be crucified, Pilate asks Christ, “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?”

Jesus says, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above.” That is, Christ entrusted Himself to His Father, His sovereign, almighty and unstoppable Father. Following our Savior’s example, we should not be frightened in any way by our opposition.

Paul reminds us of the enemies’ end, “This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed. This does not only refer to physical destruction, but eternal destruction. These enemies will be utterly and irrevocably destroyed. Do not be frightened.

Being a good citizen involves spiritual unity, preaching the Gospel, and not fearing our enemies. That is part of conducting ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. But there is another way, and that is to...

II. Always Remember that God Reigns- 1:29-30

We touched upon this as we consider our response to the enemies of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. But Paul reminds the Philippians, as well as us today, that God reigns. He reigns in two particular points, which will demand our attention now.

A. God reigns in your salvation—to believe in him

Paul says, “it has been granted to you. The idea behind the word granted/given is one of generosity. Can you think of anything more generous than eternal salvation, adoption into the family of God, and the abiding Holy Spirit? God has granted the privilege to believe in Christ.

This is an important concept in the Scriptures, and we must always remember this, because it has enormous implications for our evangelism. We must always bear in mind the Scriptural truth that all who are not saved by God’s grace are active enemies of God (see Rom. 3:11-17; Eph. 2:1-3).

The Canons of Dort (1618-1619) sum up humanity’s dark plight outside of the grace of God,

“Therefore all men are conceived in sin, and by nature children of wrath, incapable of saving good, prone to evil, dead in sin, and in bondage thereto, and without the regenerating grace of the Holy Spirit, they are neither able nor willing to return to God, to reform the depravity of their nature, or to dispose themselves to reformation.” Canons of Dort, “Of the Corruption of Man, His Conversion to God, and the Manner Thereof,” Article 3

If we are, as Scripture declares, dead in trespasses and sins, then we are in a most desperate position for God’s grace. That is why it is call “the gift of God,” in Eph. 2:8. It has been granted, generously and graciously granted to us to believe in Christ.

Let us not live in arrogance when considering our salvation in Christ. We are words deserving of hellfire, and yet God has granted us to believe in Christ. We must be be humble recipients of the grace of God.

This, though, is a reminder that God reigns in your salvation. But God also reigns in your suffering.

B. God reigns in your suffering—to suffer for him

God has granted us salvation, this is true. But Paul says God, in His infinite goodness and wisdom, has also granted to us suffering. He connects this suffering with his own suffering for the work of the Gospel.

Often we do not have any trouble acknowledging that God reigns in our salvation. We know its true. And though we know that God reigns in our suffering, we often have a disconnect between our heads and our hearts.

Intellectually speaking, we know and believe Scriptures such as 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 and Romans 8:28. We quote it to others who are suffering. We post it on our Facebook pages and have coffee cups and bookmarks with this written. We know it up here, but it does not translate to our hearts.

Brothers and sisters, God reigns in your suffering. He does not inflict pain upon you unnecessarily (see Lamentations 3:33). It is always purposeful. Now, in this context we are dealing with persecution, but the same truths apply to all suffering.

God, the master craftsman and expert pruner, brings about anything that will help us to be more like Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:28-29). As such, this truth, this wonderful truth that God reigns even in our suffering, allows us to trust this gracious God while enduring these difficulties. For some supporting Scripture, read Matt. 5:10-12 and Acts 5:41. Let those passages, in light of this present passage, change the way we approach suffering in general, and suffering for the sake of the Gospel in particular.

Conclusion

Our basic response to a passage such as this is to simply obey the command of Paul to conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. However, I want to offer three steps from Jerry Bridges in his book, Trusting God Even When Life Hurts.

“First, we can submit to it—not reluctantly as the defeated general submits to his conqueror, but voluntarily as the patient on the operating table submits to the skilled hand of the surgeon as he wields his knife.” (190)

“Second, to profit most from adversity, we should bring the Word of God to bear upon the situation.” (190)

“Third, in order to profit from our adversities we must remember them and the lessons we learned from them.” (191)

Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23—what does your response to suffering say about your faith?