These Afflictions

"That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.  For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.  For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labor be in vain."  1Thess. 3:3-5

These are astounding words by Paul, and they thoughtfully lay out that conflict is an inherent part of our Faith.  Not that our faith is conflicted, but that because we have become organically identified with the Iesous through constantly believing the Gospel we have been made anew.

For the constantly believing ones the new life that we have is qualitatively new.  It is no mere religious affiliation or some other man-made hubris. It is new life directly out from God through the only Mediator between God and man, and that is the Theanthropos or God-Man, Iesous.

The new life that we have been given as adopted ones is unto the ages of the ages and we dare not lose sight of our glorious destiny while we suffer now within the sphere of what one has called 'This Present Darkness.'

Yes, weep may go on through the night but joy cometh in the morning. When the Bright and Morning Star comes for us we will lay down the mantle of suffering, and the Iesous will wipe away all of our tears.  It is this understanding that Paul wanted the Thessalonian saints to grasp.

It is tough sometimes to fight the good fight of Faith, and we therefore must not rely upon our own understanding of the conflict.  Mere human reason and resolve will most certainly falter in the midst of the ferocity of the battle.  And the books that we have read, and the authors that we can readily quote will not come to us when we are suddenly visited by terror or unexpected disaster.

When I am rendered almost paralyzed by the assault upon my faith and cogent speech has fled I can know that I am stayed by God, and I do not quit the battlefield of Faith.  But one might say I hurt, or I hurt so deep that I cannot utter to God that I am almost buried by grief and conflict.

Beloved you are not alone, and your pain is the pain of the Iesous too.  He is well-versed in grief.  He is a MAN of SORROWS.  You may have never realized before that we have been appointed to suffering as saints of God, but know this; that those who suffer for and with Him now will definitely co-reign with him unto the ages of the ages.

Don't be ashamed of who you are, or whose you are as a constantly believing one because your faith will be rewarded by God.  Your faith will be squeezed, or you may be crushed, compressed or be constricted by outward or inward circumstances, but we must suffer tribulation.

Oftentimes God may not deliver us from our circumstances but within or through our circumstances.  When he does this he is teaching us to lean not on our own understanding but exclusively upon his divine agency.

For more information about Dr. Rich ad his teaching ministry, please visit his website.  Also, please sign up as a follower or Pneumatikos to stay up to date on future posts.  Blessings to you.