Triumphant suffering

The title is a paradox!

These thoughts have been on my mind for some time. As CEFC is doing 2 Corinthians study this year, and tonight we also went through it, I've been blessed by the few themes that seem to run in 2 Cor so far.

Paul talks about the Glory of God and the Power of the cross even though he went through so much persecution and trials and painful times. And even in the letter to the Corinth church whereby he is questioned about his authority as an apostle, he speaks with joy and is triumphant because of the cross.
How we often seek the power but miss the treasure. The treasure is in the Cross...the redemption through Jesus, the grace and the glory.

Presence of God in darkness vs
Absence of God in light
Which do you prefer?

God loves us, and His ultimate plan for us is salvation and redemption. To draw us close, and to transform us. That's His main agenda I believe. Can we be rich and health and redeemed? I believe so. Can we also be poor and unhealthy and redeemed? I believe so too. Hence I think the focus is not on health and wealth. The ultimate treasure as a christian, is the treasure in earthen vessels. The treasure of knowing Christ.

I realised that Corinth has many similarities to present day Singapore. It was a very young and prosperous nation that took much pride in itself.

I quote this from NIV Application Commentary by Scott Hafemann:

"Corinth had become the envy of the Empire- a city of pleasure, a tribute to human-made splendour, a place where assertiveness and pride reaped great reward... Consequently, [the Corinthians] placed a higher premium on social prominence and self-display, on personal power and boasting...
Driven by their culture, the key issue in the Corinthian church was what it meant to be "spiritual"... Instead of seeking a Spirit-empowered conformity to the self-giving character of Christ, they placed a high value on their newfound "knowledge" and spiritual experiences in and of themselves...
The result was a self-serving attitude of boasting and moral laxity, further led by their culture's admiration of the public power, persona...They buttressed this cultural captivity of the gospel with a triumphalist, over realised eschatology...Such a view further inflated the Corinthians' estimation of their spiritual knowledge, gifts and experiences...It also downplayed the need for moral transformation, since on the "spiritual" plane they were already fully raised with Christ..."

And from my IDT notes:
"In contrast to a culture that prides itself on power and prestige through wealth, gifts, status and appearences, Paul's model for ministry is found in his weakness- from which his dependence upon God- thus bringing forth true strength! That kind of Christian ministry is modeled after our Lord Jesus Himself" (2Cor 13:4)

Sounds familiar? Many churches in Singapore and in many wealthy nations today pride their spirituality through the measures of the world. Or worse still, we measure our blessing from God through the blessings of the world. Whereas God wants to bless us with the true riches. Whereas the power of the cross is found in weakness. In knowing Christ.

Pls do not mistake what I am saying, that God is a joy-killer, and we shd all live in austerity and go to the deserts and stay in tents. My point is the focus we have as a christian, and how we cannot measure blessings by the world's perspective, and how true blessings are found in knowing God.

Would a loving father want his son to love him because he just bought the latest mp3 player for his son?
Or would a loving father want his son to love him for himself?
And in order to draw the son closer to know him, and show his son ultimate and lasting joys, would he not withhold the mp3 player from him for a time period? At the end, the son enjoys the father's company so much that having the mp3 player or not is secondary. And I believe, the presence of the father is much more eternal and complete.

The kingdom of God is not yet fully come. One day, we will be fully redeemed in heaven, where all the lame, blind will be healed, and enjoy everlasting presence with the Father.