Fireproof Joy

I sometimes wish I could preach an easy, happy message and tell everybody that everything is going to be ok, but the truth is far more exciting and devastating, compelling and challenging and life–giving. My constant companion this past week has been Philippians 1:29 “For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake.”

Two things are granted: faith and suffering. Neither is easy to communicate.

It is difficult to tell people that faith itself is a granted commodity, though not granted to all, and to those it is granted – not in equal amounts. Romans 12:3 NASV …God has allotted to each a measure of faith. Our notions of equity do not square with God’s concept of justice which is fair and grace, that is even better than fair. As R.C. Sproul says in “The Holiness of God”, “God is not obligated to treat all people equally” pg. 128

Along with granting us faith, he has planned opportunities for us to engage that measure of faith in suffering. This will expand the borders of our souls, break us and cause us to cast our anxiety on him, rely on him, hope in him, be the blessed ones as we mourn, because we trust that we will be comforted.

Saying this, choosing to believe this, preparing for this, will not be easy, but somehow we must activate our faith and forge a theology of faith that thrives in the midst of pain and then live it. That is what is granted to us. A hope – a faith in grace God hasn’t given yet, that will sustain us through suffering.

Paul said - 1 Corinthians 15:19 And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world. And in 2 Corinthians 12:9 "My grace is sufficient for you.”

If you are merely trusting that Christ is going to give you a nice life here, you are not continuing in the teaching of Christ and that is our goal. 2 John 1:9 "Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son".

It was Christ who taught us we would suffer for him John 16:33 “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

And

Acts 9:16 "And I will show him how much he must suffer for my name’s sake.”

Forward looking faith, Jesus focused faith, faith that produces joy that thrives in pain is fireproof Joy. Joy that flourishes in everything going well can always be taken away, but joy that draws from a source that expects pain, sees past pain, cannot be vanquished. There is something worth investing in, developing, acquiring, honing.

It is on this treasure we must set our sights. If we could grow a happiness that thrives because it expects and is prepared for suffering and sees past suffering to eternal prosperity, then we have accomplished something of great value that brings great honor to God.

Pray that God would grant all of us an increasing measure of faith that looks like this.

Luke 17:5 The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!"