The Privilege of Identifying with the Persecuted
4:14 "You have done well to share with me in my affliction."
Paul was thanking the Philippian church for their support while he was in chains. But who was really the privileged one here? Which one was receiving the greater honor by this relationship and by this gift? Paul or the Philippian church? Was it not their glory to have been associated with this great apostle and to have participated with him in his ministry? Indeed, the greatest glory of the city of Philippi is that there was once a church there that Paul started and that supported him in his missionary endeavors.
We must realize what a privilege it is to be associated with God’s heroes. To know the names of those who risk their lives for the sake of Christ, to be able to send financial support to those who are on the front lines, to participate through prayer with those who are suffering because of the Name, these are all precious honors we should cherish.
God praises men like this in Rev.12:11 as those who “did not love their life even when faced with death.”
In Hebrews 11:37-38 it describes them in this way: “They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (MEN OF WHOM THE WORLD WAS NOT WORTHY), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground.”
People who willingly carry the yoke of suffering for the cause of Christ are the real wonders of this world. The world is not worthy of people like this. They are the real heroes. They may be small in the eyes of the world, but in God’s eyes, they’re the big guys. We should have posters of these folks on our walls. They have been chosen by God to bear upon their bodies the marks of persecution for the name of Jesus (Gal.6:17). They were chosen to complete what was lacking in the sufferings of Christ (Col.1:24). They have been selected to be baptized with the baptism of Christ and to drink the same cup He drank (Mark 10:39). They are the ones who will receive a great reward from Christ on the last day (Matt.5:10-12).
What strength we can derive from their example! What alertness we gain when we pray with them in mind! How blessed we are to have them!
Father, forgive me for how I have failed to cherish a treasure You have graciously given. Forgive me for considering it a burden to pray for those who are suffering for Christ. Help me to be generous in my giving and in my prayers, as the Philippians were toward Paul. And help me always to remember that the privilege is all mine.