The “Songs of the Deliverer” series tells the story of Christ and the Apostles re-imagined in modern day. It is a work of fiction but the stories and characters are based on the New Testament. These Reflections feature Biblical verses referenced in the second book, Faith Wins.
Referenced in Chapter 18
Do you experience suffering in your life? When afflictions of the body, physiological dysfunction, and mental anguish come upon you, can you cope? What about personal rejection when you’re ostracized and demonized by people in your community, even by people you called friends. Can you endure sustained physical and mental torment day in and day out?
The Apostle Paul suffered, greatly. But he had a secret way to deal with pain:
“I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:12 – 13)
Through Christ who strengthens him, Paul says he can do all things. And do so joyfully because Paul knew of his coming victory. He disclosed his secret to others about the promise and the power of faith in Christ:
“Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. (Philippians 1:18 – 20)
Paul says that he rejoices in his hardships because he knows that Christ will be with him in the end. But he tells the people of Philippi that, for now, he will press on in his mission to make disciples of Christ:
“To remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again. (Philippians 1:24 – 26)
He then instructs his followers to consider the needs of others just as he does. More than that, he reminds them that Christ, while possessing the glory of God, lived as a common man for Jesus came to serve us, even to the point of death:
“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:4 – 8)
Then Paul says that any loss he’s suffered on earth is meaningless in comparison to what he gains with Christ:
“I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him.” (Philippians 3:8 – 9)
Finally, Paul describes his ultimate aim, to win the righteous judgment of God by being a follower of Jesus Christ:
“The righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.” (Philippians 3:10 – 11)
Suffering, disappointment, and loss are what we endure at times here on earth. But, oh, what we gain with faith:
“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21)
Endure suffering as Paul did, knowing that life with Christ awaits you. And rejoice.
Here is link to the book on Amazon: Songs of the Deliverer II – Faith Wins
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