The Fellowship Of His Sufferings" (Philippians 3:10)

by R. Hyland, Rhyl, UK | Category: General | May 1986

In the early days of their experience the Hebrew Christians "endured a great conflict of sufferings" (Heb. 10:32). Attacks against their persons and properties were joyfully accepted, so taken up were they with a better and abiding possession. Some time later however spiritual indifference largely replaced the zeal and fervour of "former days". They were drifting, unaware of the dangers facing them. No longer did they give the Lord the central place in their lives. Instead of enjoying the many blessings His death had brought, they were turning back to the deadness of the law. They were on course for spiritual shipwreck. A similar fate may well await us if we take our eyes off the Lord.

The Lord should be at the centre of our lives because He is the source. It would be quite easy for us to sit back and drift along knowing that the Lord is coming for us soon. More is expected of disciples of the Lord. Enjoyment of our eternal security (John 10:28,29) should lead to daily communion with Him. Abiding in the vine is something we are individually responsible for with the help of the Holy Spirit (John 15:1-12) then our love will flow to Him and to all who love Him.

News reaching the West from behind the Iron and Bamboo curtains reveal horrific experiences being endured by our brethren in Christ. In hospitals, labour camps and prisons many suffer for Him (Phil. 1:29). Like the saints in Thessalonica many of them have "received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit" (1 Thess. 1:6). To many people affliction results in the crushing of the spirit but not to these beloved saints. The words of Peter, "the proof of your faith ... proved by fire, might be found ..." (1 Pet. 1 :6-8) must surely be applicable to their experience.

Sitting in the warm sunshine of my pleasant sun4ounge and looking out to the spring colours that bedeck the garden after the drabness of winter, I feel I cannot appreciate the sufferings of my brethren and sisters, which must surely be the "fellowship of His sufferings" about which Paul wrote so movingly in Philippians 3:10. In the sovereign will of God the trial is theirs, the praying yours and mine (Heb. 13:3). Tomorrow we too may be called upon to suffer for Him. They are praying for us! "I pray daily for all my friends in the West" (Igor or Urtson - due for release in 1987 after 20 years in prison). "Compassionate intercession for these persecuted fellow members of the Body of Christ should be a daily burden with all those who love the Lord" (Torchlight, Needed Truth, 1970 p.137).

If the spiritual contentment of those early Hebrew Christians in adversity was receding, how we wonder did they respond to the call "cast not away" (Heb. 10:35)? The promise is held out to them and to us, "for yet a very little while He that cometh shall come" (v.37). Let us hold fast.

May God grant to us a deeper appreciation of the Place to which in His mercy we have been brought, and also an awareness of His eternal purposes in the Church which is His Body - which Church is being built perhaps more in the East than the West.

R. Hyland, Rhyl, UK | May 1986
General