PHILIPPIANS 1:29

“For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer on His behalf,”

Have you ever gotten a gift that you really didn’t ask for or want? You know, that pair of socks from your grandma for Christmas, for example. My wife always wanted to make sure our two kids got equal amounts of gifts at Christmas. One year she was one short for my son, so she picked up a flannel shirt for him. Now, my son wouldn’t have been caught dead wearing flannel back then, lol. You could just see it when he opened the gift. He was gracious, but…

Well, today Paul mentions a gift that no one asks for and really do not want – the gift of suffering. He says it pretty clearly, “it has been granted.” We know Paul knew a little bit about suffering. Yet he still calls it a gift. Why? Because he knew the result of suffering was a deeper dependence on Almighty God. Suffering was part of his initial calling as we see in Acts 9:15-16. The Lord was giving instructions to Ananias to tell Paul. “15 But the Lord said to him, ‘Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; 16 for I will show him how much he must suffer in behalf of My name.’”

APPLICATION

In Luke 7:21, the same Greek word for “granted” which we see in today’s verse is translated as “gave” when Luke describes Jesus’ actions to the blind. “At that very time He cured many people of diseases and afflictions and evil spirits; and He gave sight to many who were blind.’ 

Over in 1 Corinthians 2:12 we see the word translated as “freely given.” “Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God.” 

Granted, gave, and freely given all point to one thing – a gift given graciously by Jesus. Will you accept this gift of suffering for Christ’s sake? Embrace it. His suffering is always perfect. It is never too much. It will bring us closer to Him. Do you believe that? He will love you through it all.

Lord, I do not want suffering, but if You allow it I know it is for my good. I will receive it.