Living as if God was in control, part

Tertullian, one of the early fathers of the church, who also lived during a time of great persecution, said, “The blood of martyrs is the seed of the church.” Like Paul, Tertullian was able to look, with spiritual eyes, beyond the immediate events. He was filled with the confidence that God would use even difficult events, like the death of Christians, to do something wonderful. 
 

As hard as this may be for us to wrap our minds around, this is part of the glory of God. In the middle of people’s weakness and wickedness, God is in the world, working His wisdom for our good and for the good of generations to come. I am asking us (you and me), today, Do you believe this? The answer you give as you sit there in your own thoughts will tell you your depth of maturity in the faith.
 

In verse 21, Paul says this, “For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” CSB. Paul was not even concerned about his own personal outcome. He says, “I can die and be with Jesus, or, I can live, which will mean even more fruitful ministry later in my life.” 

You see, Paul does not see his life is something to be preserved, but rather, as something to be spent, to be invested in the service of God’s Kingdom. This is part of the teaching in this chapter. It asks us: “How do you (I) look at your (my) life?” Why should we be afraid of death? Death only means that we would be with Jesus. The sooner, the better! Or if we live, our lives are an opportunity for us to co-labor with God, to bring blessings to others! 

The last thing I want us to consider this week might well be the hardest for us to swallow about God being in control.
 

Receiving Suffering

In Philippians 1:27–30, the Scriptures teach us that we can learn to live as if God is in control by receiving suffering as something that is sometimes granted by God to the community of faith.

Please hear me friends, NO ONE, absolutely no one, should go looking for suffering. No one should bring harm to themselves or act foolishly or irresponsibly. Instead, we order our lives in the way God teaches us. But if suffering comes as a result of our way of life, and if our way of life is pleasing to God, we should learn how to submit to the will of God, even in suffering.
 

In Philippians 1:27 and 28, Paul tells us this: “Just one thing: live your life manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or am absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in the one spirit, in accord, contending together for the faith of the gospel, 28 not being frightened in any way by your opponents” CSB. In these closing verses of chapter 1, Paul teaches the value of community: that whatever happens in life, we go through it together. It’s an expression, not only of our individual confidence, but our confidence as one people.

Nearly any pastor can tell you that churches grow stronger spiritually and bond more significantly during times of trouble; it’s a community dynamic. The Church comes together when things are tough. Paul actually says that the Philippians’ unified, bold response to difficulties is a sign of the Kingdom of God being made manifest among them!

Maybe, we should ask ourselves, “Why wait until tough times to draw together? Why wait until tragedy strikes to show our love and care for those around us? Why wait until things are bad in order to show the love of God?” We can be a church that lives in the community and demonstrates community, right now, even in moments of peace and prosperity. 
 

Here is the great lesson of Philippians 1: Individually and as a community of believers, we can demonstrate to the world that God is in control by living our lives as if God is in control. Please pray with me now: Father, may our actions become the message; our lives, individually and corporately, become the Good News. Lord, help us demonstrate to the watching world that we confidently believe that our God is in control. END