The Scars of a Saint: Enduring Suffering in the 21st Century Church

The Scars of a Saint:

Enduring Suffering in the 21st Century Church

With Bishop Ronald Powell

(Introduction)

Brothers and sisters, we live in a world that often prioritizes comfort and ease. We chase after happiness, success, and the absence of pain. Yet, the life of a Christian, the life modeled by our Savior Jesus Christ and exemplified by the Apostle Paul, is often marked by suffering. Today, we’re going to delve into Paul’s own struggles, not to wallow in negativity, but to glean wisdom and courage for our own journeys. We’ll be looking particularly at 2 Corinthians 11:23-28, 2 Corinthians 12:1-10, and Romans 7:15-25, asking ourselves: How does Paul’s experience challenge our understanding of faith and endurance in the 21st century?

Paul’s catalogue of suffering in 2 Corinthians 11 is staggering. Imprisonments, beatings, shipwrecks, dangers from rivers, robbers, his own countrymen, Gentiles, the city, the wilderness, the sea, and false brothers. He faced sleepless nights, hunger, thirst, and the daily pressure of caring for the churches. How many of us have faced even a fraction of such hardship? This passage forces us to confront our own comfort zones. Are we willing to embrace hardship for the sake of the Gospel? Are we more concerned with our own comfort than with the advancement of God’s kingdom?

Then, in 2 Corinthians 12, we encounter the mysterious “thorn in the flesh.” We don’t know what it was, but we know it caused Paul immense pain. He pleaded with God to remove it, but God’s response is profound: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” This is a radical statement! In our weakness, God’s strength shines through. Are we trying to project an image of strength and self-sufficiency, masking our vulnerabilities? Paul’s example teaches us that it’s in our brokenness, in our dependence on God, that we truly experience His power. What “thorn” are you carrying today? Perhaps it’s a physical ailment, a broken relationship, a financial burden, or a spiritual struggle. Take it to God. Don’t expect an immediate removal, but trust in the sufficiency of His grace.

Finally, Romans 7 reveals the inner turmoil that Paul faced. He, the great apostle, the chosen vessel, confessed his struggle with sin. “For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.” This resonates with every believer. We all wrestle with the flesh, with temptation, with the gap between our intentions and our actions. Paul’s honesty is liberating. It reminds us that the Christian life is not about perfection, but about progression. It’s about getting up after we fall, about confessing our sins, and about relying on the grace of Christ to empower us to overcome.

(Application)

So, how does this apply to us today? The 21st-century church often faces a different kind of suffering than Paul. It might not be physical persecution, but it can be the subtle pressure to conform to worldly values, the loneliness of standing for truth, the weariness of spiritual battles, or the quiet discouragement of unanswered prayers. We may face ridicule for our faith or simply the indifference of those around us.

Paul’s life teaches us:

Embrace Hardship: Don’t shy away from challenges. See them as opportunities for God’s power to be displayed in your life.
Embrace Weakness: Don’t be afraid to admit your struggles. It’s in vulnerability that we experience God’s grace.
Embrace Perseverance: The Christian journey is a marathon, not a sprint. Keep running the race, keep the faith, even when you feel like giving up.

(Conclusion)

The scars on Paul’s body were a testament to his faithfulness. They were a reminder of the price he paid for following Christ. What will our scars tell? Will they tell a story of comfort and ease, or will they tell a story of faith, resilience, and unwavering devotion to the One who suffered for us? Let us, like Paul, endure hardship, embrace weakness, and persevere in the faith, knowing that in the midst of our suffering, God’s grace is always sufficient. Amen.