Under Trial

[The author talking of a letter she received from Christian friends in Germany, who had discovered there two sons had both been born brain damaged]

"Here in the midst of the ongoing results of a birth accident (so similar to any other accident as far as cause-and-effect history goes) and the daily affliction of a certain amount of isolation from the academic world, the way is made more difficult by Christian friends who have no understanding of the basic battle going on between God and Satan in the whole of history--and no understanding of the diversity of victories there can be. The most flaming victories so apparent go unnoticed. The common attitude is that the only victory that demonstrates a closeness to God is the healing of physically spoiled or ill bodies, or the smoothing out of all circumstances so as to give ease and peace in day-by-day living. Such false expectations have plunged many people into despair and forced others to ignore what is really taking place.

"After his transformation, dear Paul, who had experienced being on the "other side" (fighting against truth, persecuting Christians and Christ Himself) went through a titanic variety of persecutions and afflictions. For any one of us in the midst of difficulties who needs reassurance, the life of Paul will be a help to us. When questions are thrown against us which add to our suffering, when what we need is comfort, it is time to read First and Second Corinthians again. As we read, we need to use our imaginations to place ourselves in Paul's circumstances. We must not read as if we were simply observing something afar off and irrelevant to our moment of personal history. Rather, we must "feel with Paul" and recognize that the same Holy Spirit who indwelt Paul also indwells us; the same Heavenly Father who heard his prayer and cries for help also hears us; and the same Lord Jesus Christ who was his Lord Saviour is also ours. Paul's constant intercessor was Jesus, and He is also our intercessor, praying for us at the right hand of the Father.
In the fourth chapter of First Corinthians, Paul pleads for faithful stewards among all of us who are "stewards of the mysteries of God." This is to be a stewardship of that which we know and which opens up to us as we continually read the Word of God throughout our lifetime. Paul goes on to ask that none of the Corinthian church people be "puffed up for one against another. For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it? (vv. 6, 7) We are being asked to remember that if we have health, energy, food, shelter, and an abundance of things in the midst of peace to enjoy them, then the need is to recognize that they have been given to us. We have received these gifts for the purpose of being good stewards."

9For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men. 10We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. 11To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, 12and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; 13when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things. 14I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children.1 Cor 4:9-14

"Paul is saying to us, as well as to them, "Do you think you have more faith, live closer to the Lord, know more of the power of the Holy Spirit, and have greater answer to prayer because you live a life that has more comfort, less illness or hardship, less persecution, less slashing criticism, less attacks of Satan in one form or another? If the apostles are fools for Christ's sake, do you think you are more spiritual because you are counted as wise? If the apostles are weak and acknowledge it, do you feel comfortable in counting yourselves as strong? if the apostles are despised on every side, do you feel pride in being honoured in so many ways? As you are well filled with food and drink and have wonderful homes to dwell in, can you look down upon the apostles; reality of closeness to the Lord while they are hungry and thirsty and without a fixed place to live in?"

"As people were reviling and persecuting Paul and the other apostles, could the Corinthians be complacent in their freedom from these things? Can we? What is the criterion for faithful stewardship and a growing Christian life? Is it a stream of deliverances from hardships, troubles, afflictions and persecutions? Or is it more diverse and deeper than that? Listen to Paul's own experiences of victory in the midst of unchanging circumstances. Paul is one who can warn us, as well as the Corinthians. Let us be warned in our practical attitudes and daily actions, as well as the basic understanding of our heads and hearts." [Edith Schaeffer--Affliction pages 40-41] |