Every pastor knows the pain of people leaving the church. People leave churches for all kinds of reasons; good and not so good. I remember being a frustrated younger pastor who saw several key people leave the church I was serving. I contacted the people because I wanted to understand why. For some, they went to another church better equipped to serve their family. Others left over doctrinal disagreements and wanted something more familiar to them. Some simply dropped off the map. As I spoke with an older, wiser, and more experienced pastor, he said these words to me. “Biblical Christianity looks attractive until you realize that there is a cross to bear.”
Yes, Jesus said to His disciples, “Take up your cross daily, and follow me.” In Philippians 3, Paul even stated that he wanted to share in the sufferings of Christ and even desired to be conformed to Christ’s death. The road of discipleship is a road of suffering. You cannot avoid it. Christianity is not conformity to the world but everything becomes opposite. Christ teaches us that we must deny ourselves. Our families and friends may not understand us. We will find ourselves on the opposite end of the spectrum from the mainstream at times.
We must be careful not to think that biblical Christianity is merely comfort without a cross. But what is our normal reaction when we do suffer? I believe two things happen and which one depends largely on our personalities. First, we may see suffering coming our way and decide to avoid it all costs. So we go with the flow and avoid rocking the boat. We may compromise our beliefs or even our convictions to avoid the pain of suffering. Second, we may suffer and then view that as failure. This is so easy for any of us to do.
I remember a seminary professor telling us in class that just because you go somewhere and it does not go well, does not necessarily mean it was not God’s will for you to be there and experience that hardship. One professor regularly told us that if we were not facing hardship, it could be because we were not really teaching what the Scripture states. My point is this, suffering does not always mean we are doing something wrong. It could mean that but it may mean you are actually doing something right.
So why would God allow His people to suffer? First, suffering is part of life in this fallen, sinful world. Much of what we do is the pursuit of comfort and avoiding suffering. This is why a healthy diet and exercise is so difficult. It requires a bit of daily hardship and not many of us enjoy that. But there is suffering that comes later when we choose to not develop healthy patterns. Second, for the Christian, suffering for the sake of Christ and His Gospel is not a sign of failure but rather a sign of fellowship with Jesus. Jesus personally identifies with His suffering people. When Saul of Tarsus was persecuting the church in the Book of Acts. Jesus appeared to him and asked Saul why he was persecuting Him. Think of that statement for a moment. Jesus identified Himself with His suffering people. Take comfort in that.
Finally, suffering refines our faith and deepens our dependency upon God. So do not run from suffering for the sake of comfort. Remember Christian, the cross we carry today will one day give way to the crown of life.
Joe Tolin
Kingman Presbyterian Church
