The believer’s unity with Christ is a profound mystery. How can we perfect what is lacking in him? How can we participate in His suffering and His victory? What does it mean to eat his flesh and drink his blood? Christ’s words on the subject are often given in pictures or riddles that must be sat with, mulled over, lived with before any light is shed. Even a much beloved simple description of the gospel’s power to define both our life and death in Philippians is open ended, “To live is Christ; to die is gain” (Phil 1:21). Short, sweet, and brimming with countless applications and t-shirt designs. I’ve interpreted it before as an expectation for suffering, echoing the command to pick up our cross and follow him. The passage has multiple references to suffering whether Paul’s in prison or the recipients’ and even Christ’s. We are to expect trials and be glad when they come for Christ’s sake as evidence of our union with him. He, we know, was rejected, persecuted, betrayed, beaten, killed and through it all held fast to love. He humbled himself for our sake and submitted to the pain he knew was coming. Since none of these trials will exist in heaven, it is not irrational to see that our earthly living union with Christ will involve suffering.
However, recently in preparing to teach this passage I was struck by the next verse. “If I am to live in the flesh that means fruitful labor for me” (Phil 1:22). Fruitful labor is not what first comes to mind when I think of taking up my cross. Paul continues to say that if he lives it is for the progress and joy in faith for these very believers so that they will have reason to glory in Christ (v 24-26). Clearly, although suffering is a thread that runs throughout, Paul had more in mind. Let us return to the life of Christ. When he summarizes his message in Mark it is to preach repentance and declare the coming of the kingdom of heaven. Salvation is here! He defied Satan and temptation not only in the wilderness but every moment in his life no matter the circumstances, darkness, or pain. He performed miracles of healing and supernatural dominion over nature so that God would be glorified. He preached the truth and people believed. His innocent blood paid the way for His victory over death itself. His work was and is fruitful for salvation. In fact, it is the one work effective for salvation, from which any other has its source. Suffering does not define Christ apart from the motivation of salvation work – fruitful labor that he is working in and through us for His glory.
Thomas Merton writes beautifully about suffering for the Christian as a sanctifying force not through mere pain or endurance, but by living by faith in a risen Lord. Christ’s victory is more starkly highlighted by the suffering and death that are overcome. “And it is of the very essence of Christianity to face suffering and death not because they are good, not because they have meaning, but because the resurrection of Jesus has robbed them of their meaning.” In humbly submitting to suffering as a result of sin in this world, we identify with Christ, entrust ourselves to our savior, and thereby strip it of its power to control , destroy and terrify us. This is how we can be a people of hope when darkness suffocates, a people of joy despite outward circumstances, a people at peace when the world is at war. As we live, we are about fruitful salvation work every breath, every beat for our savior. As we die, we have reached the goal and delight in a fullness of union in our savior’s victory.
Make no mistake. You, in this moment still living in this sinful world full of sickness, trial, temptation, and failure is what glorifies God the most, multiplies salvation the most, and prepares His church for her heavenly home the most. He will not cheat Himself of the fruit of praise. Take heart and press on in faith in a savior who is risen indeed.