“For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake.” Philippians 1:29

The Measure of Worthiness

Suffer – This word shouldn’t be new to us.  It’s pascho from which we get passion and pathos.  It’s the word for suffering.  What is perhaps a new discovery is that in God’s world, suffering is associated with worthiness.  Not all suffering, of course.  Some suffering is the result of judgment.  Some comes from disobedience.  Some is related to evil warfare in spiritual places.  But when it comes to suffering for Christ’s sake, there is a complete reversal in values brought about by God Himself.  Suffering that redeems is the mark of worthiness, not of punishment.

After the Sanhedrin beat the disciples, they left praising God that they were worthy enough to suffer for Christ (Acts 5:41).  Jesus tells Ananias that He must show Paul how much Paul will suffer for His name’s sake (Acts 9:16).  And Jesus Himself learned obedience through suffering (Hebrews 5:8).  The world has been turned upside down.

Suffering is the measure of worthiness.  Not money.  Not power.  Not the size of the congregation or the scope of the ministry or even the number of converts (as if we had anything to do with any of this).  We are not credited for success, influence or status.  God’s measurements are completely different.  We are called to follow in The Way and that Way leads along the path of suffering.

Be careful how you read this.  Suffering is not the goal.  It is the gateway.  We don’t go through suffering for the sake of beating us down.  It is not penance.  God does not lead us along this path in order to force us into submission.  In fact, no one follows this path unless it is a voluntary choice of surrender.  But the path is there.  Waiting.  The signpost points toward the Cross but the pavement consists of stones of worthiness.  That is why not all of us experience the “joy set before” us.  To be counted worthy is a very high calling, a calling that comes only after our agendas are put to death.

Everyone suffers.  The question is not “Why do I suffer?”  The question is “Who am I suffering for?”  What is your answer?  Is your suffering a measure of worthiness?