CREDIT: www.wallpaperuse.com
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
There’s a saying, “No pain, no gain.” It usually refers to the idea of suffering somewhat to get in shape because muscle soreness (of the healthy kind) caused by exercise indicates that the muscles are actually being broken down a little. But they get stronger as they recover with proper rest and nutrition. Therefore, we might rephrase the saying as, “Know gain, know pain.”
St Paul mentions this concept of knowing pain and knowing gain many times throughout the letters he writes to the early church. For example, he exhorts the Colossians saying, “I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of His body, that is, the church.” (Colossians 1:24) Paul isn’t rejoicing THAT he is suffering – he’s not a masochist. He’s rejoicing that as he endures trial and tribulation leading to suffering, Jesus is with him. And the result of his suffering is that the body of Christ, for which Jesus suffered, is gaining new believers all over the world! He tells us his rejoicing is because he is “struggling with all (Jesus’) energy that (Jesus) powerfully works within me.” (Colossians 1:29)
As disciples of Christ, brought to faith through the Word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit – just as Paul was – we are also called to know pain to also know gain as the body of Christ, the church, gains new believers through our work. And as we work, let us also remember we are not alone! Jesus is with us as the Holy Spirit guides our words and our deeds, as well as, our footsteps which take us to those people God also longs to fully know His word that they too might be saved by His grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
So, let’s heed Paul’s encouragement to “continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard.” (Colossians 1:23) Let’s rejoice that we know pain and know gain!
In Christ,
Pastor Jim