The secret of Paul’s spiritual success was the fact that he did not get discouraged, or became faint with weariness and exhaustion, because he had renounced disgraceful ways; he refused to deal craftily or to adulterate or handle dishonestly the Word of God; but he stated the truth openly and so he commended himself in the sight and presence of God to every man’s conscience (II Cor. 4:1-2) (paraphrased). Paul considered that the light and momentary affliction was ever more and more abundantly preparing and producing and achieving for him an everlasting weight of glory! Since he considered and looked not to the things that are unseen; for the things that are visible were temporal, but the things that are invisible were deathless and everlasting (II Cor. 4:17) (paraphrased). The Apostle Paul is the example of what a born-again Christian ought to be, for in spite of been beaten with countless stripes, and frequently [at the point of] death; in spite of receiving five times from the hands of the Jews forty [lashes all] but one; three times he had been beaten with rods; once stoned, three times, been aboard a ship wrecked at sea; a [whole] night and a day spending [adrift] on the deep; many times on journeys [been exposed to] perils from rivers, perils from bandits, perils from [his own] nation, perils from Gentiles, perils in the city, perils in the desert places, perils in the sea, perils from those posing as believers; in toil and hardship, watching often in hunger and thirst, frequently driven to fasting by want, in cold and exposure and lack of clothing… (II Cor. 11:23-28) Paul endured all without wavering. Whom of us, who is called ministers of God, could compete with the life of Paul today? No one, with exception of those who are being persecuted and killed. Forgetting all for the sake of the Gospel, Paul lived his life as one who never lost focus of God’s purpose for His calling. Amidst his sufferings, he continued encouraging the churches to be consistent in the work of the Lord, saying, Therefore, my beloved brethren, be firm, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing and being continually aware that your labor in the Lord is not futile (I Cor. 15:58) and fight the good fight of the faith; lay hold of the eternal life to which you were summoned and [for which] you confessed the good confession before many witnesses (I Tim.6:12). At the end of his life, knowing that he was going to be offered as a sacrifice by way of his death, he declared: I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith; henceforth, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness , which the Lord, the righteous Judge will award to me and recompense me on that day- and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved and yearned for and welcomed His appearing (II Tim.4:7.8.).
Endurance in suffering for the sake of the Gospel does have an eternal reward. If you are suffering as a consequence of sin in your life, repent and make things right with God. He is ever willing to forgive you. But if you are suffering unjustly for your faith, remember that the weight of glory you will experience, is greater than all you have suffered here in this world. With feet shod, let’s hold our battle ground; with the shield of our faith let’s protect ourselves against the temptations of the devil, keeping connected with God by prayer and supplications. The war has already been won by our Savior, Who loved us and gave Himself for us. Let’s fight the good fight of faith with perseverance and endurance, always holding our ground, for He Who promised us the victory is faithful!
Light from the Word 