What a week this has been. What a week... indeed. These few weeks actually has been filled with so many ups and downs. The spiritual battles are all so real.😟. I was very insecure over my haunting depression, the void of solitude, the creeping anxiety of societal pressures, etc, etc. And yet in His time, I grew up a little (spiritually) over this past month or so in which I remembered of the Lord's covenantal promise. That the Lord will never forsake me, yet it is actually us who turned our backs to our gracious Father..
Anyways, today's post is a follow up that explores how one off my favorite lines from the song "I'll never forsake you" comes this wonderful lyric—From your affliction this glory shall spring, and the deeper your sorrow the louder you'll sing
so death is at work in us, but life in you
The word "affliction" comes from the Latin noun of action from past-participle stem of affligere "to dash down, overthrow," from ad "to" (see ad-) + fligere (past participle flictus) "to strike" (see afflict). Meaning "a cause of constant pain or sorrow" is from 1590s. (etymonline)
In other words, we are struck down and under a constant pain over some period off time. So what does the Bible say about affliction?
Paul's explanation in 2 Corinthians 4 is a good start. For some background info:
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The city of Corinth was prominent in the first century. It is located in Greece on an isthmus between the Aegean and Ionian Seas, which guaranteed its importance both militarily and commercially. Corinth was the capital of the Roman province Achaia. It was a prosperous city but also known for its immorality.
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Paul knew what he was dealing with and in turn his ministry was undermined by the Corinthians. He replied them using his second epistle:
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The message of Paul in his second letter to the Corinthians was to defend his authority as an apostle of Jesus Christ, and to remind them that it was he that founded the church in Corinth, and he had every right to instruct them in the ways of the Lord concerning conduct and gathering together as a church of Jesus Christ.
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So now that we know why Paul wrote this letter, what is Paul actually saying about affligere or affliction that we can surmise?
Paul starts his letter with first acknowledging The Light of the Gospel in which Paul's ministry is not based on himself but on Jesus Christ who is the embodiment of the Word. As such, Paul too builds on the cornerstone off Christ and does not tamper off His main message. Paul further expounds with a follow-up statement about Treasure in Jars of Clay. As he writes:
We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you. 2 Corinthians 4:8-12 ✊✝️☀️
So what does Paul mean by "afflicted in every way"? Remember that Paul chose to lead a hard-shipped life not because he couldn't but because he wanted to follow Jesus. Paul was privileged and had all the capacity to be a super-apostle during those times and lived a comfortable life.
Yet he didn't. Because he knew that following Jesus is an upside paradox. It was a life off bearing one's own cross, to deny oneself, and to serve whole heartedly for Christ. He went through all those afflictions written: crushed (he was shipwrecked), perplexed (how he kept begging the Lord for his thorns to be removed) persecuted (he was beaten multiple times), struck down (he was often near death experiences).
So how does this relate? Well for starters, I can speak from my own experience that being a Christian is a life that is full off afflictions. As Christians we are different. We are a minute minority in a world plagued by sin. And to be honest, I have lost so much in my journey. My beloved partner slowly estranged me, my business became less operable, my friends somewhat distance from me,.. etc. Yet through it all these things, I hold onto His covenant that we are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake. So that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. Essentially. As I grow up to be more like Christ; the more I truly follow Jesus. And that will lead to hard-shipped life as Paul. Yet I love love love how Paul writes why he does so:
For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. 2 Corinthians 4:15 🕊️🤲👑
In this process of writing, I cried 😭 reading "so death is at work in us, but life in you". I can't imagine how hard Paul's life was. He was experiencing death and hardships so much. Similarly, sometimes I feel that life is so very hard. Yet through it all, I am reminded again off why I write, why pesanpesan.co was even created. And that is to be His witness and to share off His awesome glory! I hope whoever or whenever this is post is read, that You too may not have to fall or experience the hardships we have all went. And that through all my thorns, all my sufferings, all my affligere, please have life and hope in Christ. As I continue to hope that my messed up vapor off a life can strengthen those around me. And more importantly so that we all may be thankful of His grace... All for the glory of God..😭🤗
i am a disciple of Jesus Christ
A few years ago I heard a sermon mentioning “The Fellowship of the Unashamed.” As about 100+ years ago a anonymous young African pastor was martyred in Zimbabwe. This was found among the papers. His resolution was to follow Jesus. It’s not a life where he sought popularity or position. It’s not a life where he needs to be praised or rewarded. His journey is towards Heaven and to get there will be a tough road. Yet even though all life’s trials will hit him, even though he struggles to do his best, even though living a life in Christ will be so much harder, he has hope. The hope in the return of Jesus. The resolution to not compromise his faith. To prepare himself because he is a disciple of Jesus Christ....
from your affliction His Glory shall spring
I would like to end with Charles Spurgeon's quote from "Beside Still Waters" that truly captures this posting. In my deepest sorrows, the Lord has lifted me and pulled me out. And in those moments, here I am Lord.. Louder I will sing and proclaim off Your glory!...
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When your faith endures many conflicts, and your spirit sinks low, do not condemn yourself. There is a reason for your season of heaviness. Great soldiers are not made without war. Skillful sailors are not trained on the shore. It appears that if you are to become a great believer, you will be greatly tested. If you are to be a great help to others, you must pass through their trials. If you are to be instructed in the things of the kingdom, you must learn from experience. The uncut diamond has little brilliance, and the unthreshed corn feeds no one, and the untried believer is of little use or beauty. There are GREAT BENEFITS to come from your trials and depression. The one who is much plowed and often harrowed will thank God if the result is a larger harvest to the praise and glory of God by Jesus Christ. If your face is now covered with sorrow, the time will come when you will bless God for that sorrow. The day will come when you will see great gain from your losses, your crosses, your troubles and your affliction. From your affliction this glory shall spring, and the deeper your sorrow the louder you'll sing.
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Reflection
Dear Lord, thank You for reminding me today off my own affligere or afflictions. I have fallen into sin. Just recently actually. And every time I think I'm "okay" some way or another I fall into another sin as well. Thank You for reminding me to not condemn myself. As You've reminded me:
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1 🕊🙅♂️🕊
When I feel like crap sometimes or even down and out, I sometimes have a fear that You have forgotten me O Lord... I wonder off my salvation, I get depressed and feel withdrawn. Yet even in those moments please remind me..! That in Christ I am not condemned. Be silent O my turbulent soul! In these past few days it was very odd how I kept on remembering the Bible verse:
For I do not understand my own actions, for I do not what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Romans 7:15 🤔😰😱
I finally understand now Lord. That as I grow up in my faith, my sensitivity to sin becomes more astute. Please let me not undermine sin and the severity off it. Yet also please soften my heart to know that even Paul and the other Apostles also sinned. Help us all Father to look unto Jesus who has set us free!
For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:2-5 🐑🔗🌟
Thank You Jesus, my salvation and my Lord. I am free from the bounds of sin and death. More importantly thank You for all my afflictions and thorns of the flesh. It is my humble honor to carry this cross as in all afflictions You are with me. Thank You for Paul's life, for the Zimbabwe African Pastor's resolution in Jesus Christ, and thank you for Charles Spurgeon's encouragement! As in all things,...
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 🤗
Oh Lord, thank You for all my days. Of grief and affliction it is through those days that my heart will lift You up once more! Please Lord help this short testimony off a life to strengthen my brothers and sisters out there.. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to praise You..!
Worthy is the Lamb... we crown Him now with many crowns, high and lifted up... Jesus Son of God, the treasure of Heaven crucified.... worthy is the Lamb, worthy is the Lamb! 🙌 You are worthy in all things. Thank You for Your glorious purpose, and how as all things intersect Your glory is shown. How as those who love You are taken in by Your grace, that all things work together for Your good. But most importantly thank You Father for being my Lord and Savior. How great Thou art!.... In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Updated on: November 26, 2020 | July 16,2021 | July 31, 2021
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