How do you look into the face of suffering with confidence? How do you not give into the temptation to throw in the towel? How do you encourage others to stay strong in these circumstances? When your parent is dying. When your friend’s marriage falls apart. When your sibling loses their job. When a child dies. When a friend suffers abuse. When your finances are in ruins. When your friend stabs you in the back. When your child rebels. When you give into that sinful pattern again. When your physical health fails again. Where does your confidence come from?
Ephesians 3:1 – 13…
1 For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles – 2 assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. 4 When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. 6 This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 7 Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. 8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things, 10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. 13 So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.
In verses 12 – 13 Paul says that “we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in Christ so don’t lose heart when you see me suffering for you”. We have confidence in Christ so don’t lose heart in suffering. How could Paul say this? Was he secretly dreading his circumstances? Was he secretly plotting ways to find relief from his own suffering while encouraging his readers to remain confident? I don’t think so. I think Paul had found the secret of remaining confident amidst his own suffering. And that perspective enabled him to exhort his readers to do the same. But how? How did Paul not lose heart in the midst of his own suffering? I have eight observations from this text that I want to highlight over the next few weeks and then I’ll conclude each week by making some personal application for us in regards to being confident in the midst of suffering. So how does Paul remain confident in the midst of suffering?
1 :: Paul Had A Redeemed View Of Himself (1)
Over the first two chapters of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he has drilled deep into the roots of our identity issues. He has a picture in his mind of where his listeners are currently seated in terms of their identity. And he has a picture of where he wants them to be seated. It’s not enough for Paul to acknowledge and discuss openly where his listeners are struggling in their identity. He’s focused on where he knows their identity is actually rooted in Christ and he wants to take them there. He wants to move them from the seat they currently see themselves in to the seat they are actually seated in.
Much like a good doctor, the apostle Paul sees the sickness in his patients and he’s seeking to help them become healthy. Like a good teacher he sees the deficiency in his pupils and he wants to build them up sufficiently. Like a good pastor or a good shepherd he sees the danger of the places his sheep are feeding and he wants to move them into a safer and healthier pasture. Like a good physical trainer he sees the weaknesses of his trainees and he wants to help them become stronger. Like a good parent he sees the immaturity of his children and he wants to help them become mature. Like God he sees the place his sons and daughters have been resting and he’s unwilling to leave them there.
Confidence is a major identity issue for all of us. A lack of Christ-centered confidence leaves us living in fear. Especially in the face of suffering. One well-placed wound can derail our identity. We can lose sight of who and whose we are in Christ. We can begin to live out of a false sense of confidence. A false projection of macho bravado like a professional wrestler faking his way through the fight of life. We try to protect ourselves from suffering and we put a fake face on. Confidence is to the soul what a foundation is to a house. It keeps the soul steady in the midst of a storm. It keeps the soul from crumbling in the midst of suffering. When confidence is lacking the soul is shaken and afraid. And if you can weaken a foundation with one well placed blow then just imagine what years of strategically placed blows can do to the foundation of the soul especially if those wounds aren’t properly repaired.
Imagine the festering wounds and the crumbling walls that begin to form over time as each new blow is taken and not dealt with properly. Imagine what it looks like when those blistering spots are ignored, covered up or insufficiently repaired. This is the picture of a broken, wounded and fear-filled soul whose identity is lacking in Christ-centered confidence. Confidence is what enables us to face suffering head on. Confidence keeps soldiers pushing forward when all hell is breaking loose. Confidence causes men and women to face their sin without flinching. Confidence helps us stand firm in the midst of turmoil and confusion. Confidence is the thing that keeps you from retreating or quitting.
The Ephesians needed confidence. They lived in a culture that was at war. They were being attacked from all sides by worldviews that tried to water down the truth. They were being persecuted just for being named as Christians. On top of all that, there was the big glaring issue (especially for the Gentiles) of being a marginalized and insignificant subset of the population. The Jews regarded the Gentiles as being dirty second-rate citizens. The debate over whether or not the Gentiles could be part of the church and what they had to do to become part of the church was blazing out of control. And to top it all off, the champion apostle, the famous pastor of the Gentiles was locked up in a prison cell awaiting a death sentence for his stance on integration.
Let me be clear. For Paul, the main issue wasn’t integration. The main issue to be addressed with the Ephesians wasn’t nine steps to becoming a valued member of the church. It wasn’t five steps for becoming a better citizen. It wasn’t ten steps for navigating conflict. It wasn’t three points for how to endure persecution or six steps for changing the cultural worldview. The main issue for Paul was gospel-centered confidence. He wants to instill a healthy Christ-centered confidence into the identity of his listeners.
So where does Paul begin? What is his first baby step into developing Christians who walk in Christ-centered confidence? I think he begins where most of us begin. He begins with himself with the words “For this reason I, Paul.” This might strike some of you as strange at first. But let me note that when we are struggling with confidence we typically begin with ourselves. We say things like “I lack in self-confidence” or “That guy needs to grow in his self-confidence”. So, like a good missionary, who knows how to meet people where they are at, Paul begins with himself.
But don’t let Paul’s words fool you. Paul knows that Christ-centered confidence doesn’t rest in self. Self-confidence is the enemy of Christ-centered confidence. Just like self-esteem is the enemy of Christ-esteem. When Paul begins with himself, and in his own disarming way, invites his listeners to think of themselves, he has redemption in mind. He’s referring to himself in his redeemed identity. He knows his story and the Gentiles know his story too. Paul used to be Saul the enemy and murderer and chief terrorist of an anti-Christian organization. Saul was the big man on the block. He was the thug who had all the power and prestige. He had fortune and fame. He had success and job security. He was respected. His name, Saul, literally meant “Tall”. We could call him “Tall Saul”.
If anyone could say they had tons of self-confidence, “Tall Saul” could top the charts. But wasn’t he really just a scared little boy? Didn’t this so-called “Tall Saul” really just live in the shadow of his own fear of failure? Didn’t this so-called “Tall Saul” really struggle with inferiority and insignificance? Isn’t that why he hunted people down ruthlessly and killed them for being different? Isn’t that why he used people to advance his own agenda? Isn’t that why he lived like a wolf in sheep’s clothing rather than a shepherd for so long?
Self-confidence is the enemy of Christ-centered confidence. This is what makes Paul’s opening words so intriguing and life giving. Because Paul is no longer “Tall Saul” he is now “Small Paul”. When God knocked him off his high horse of self-promotion he crushed “Tall Paul” and he formed “Small Paul” in his place. The name Paul literally means small. Paul had a redeemed view of himself. Paul’s confidence in the face of suffering and confusion and unmet desires isn’t rooted in himself being good enough. His confidence is rooted in Christ being more than enough. Paul had come face to face with the One whom he had persecuted. Paul had been confronted with the earth shattering presence of loving grace. In a moment he was radically transformed. Paul had a redeemed view of himself.
When I struggle with confidence issues it’s really easy for me to start thinking in terms of accomplishment. I’m a goal-oriented person. I love to get things done. I love to feel like I’m succeeding. I love to conquer a task and finish things. None of that is bad or sinful. But it becomes sinful and destructive when I pursue success to build my confidence. Church planting, parenting and marriage have all been good sources of change for me in this area of confidence. Don’t hear me wrong. My confidence has not been built by being successful in these areas of my life. If my confidence were based on my success in church planting I would have bailed a long time ago. If my confidence were based on my success in parenting then I would have tapped out a long time ago. If my confidence were based on my success in marriage I would have derailed it a long time ago.
Changing my success rate will not improve my confidence. My confidence level is only as strong as the object in which it is rooted. And I am a weak person. But, I am redeemed. Just like the apostle Paul I know that my identity is rooted in Christ not my success rate and certainly not in my circumstances. Paul had a redeemed view of himself and it’s the same view I need when I struggle with confidence and it’s the same view you need when you struggle with confidence. We have confidence in Christ so don’t lose heart in suffering.
2 :: Paul Knew Who He Was Captured By (1)
He says “For this reason I, (small) Paul, (am) a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles.” This is an amazing perspective coming from someone who was wrongfully imprisoned on false charges. It would seem much easier to write an angry letter to my friends venting my frustration about my unjust predicament. I’m certain that Paul didn’t want to be imprisoned awaiting his corrupt trial and impending death. I’m sure he would rather live in a cush home with a bed and a wife and 2.5 kids and a four stall garage with a couple of SUV’s.
The thing about being imprisoned is that it feels inescapable. It feels like you will never get away from what you don’t want. It’s like you are captured against your will and you can’t have what you really want. If you had it your way life would be different. If you had it your way your circumstances would be rainbows and unicorns. If you had it your way you’d be married or you’d be successful in business or smarter or wealthier or healthier.
But Paul sees his circumstances or his lot in life as being under the control of his loving Father in Heaven. It’s not just that he is a prisoner for Christ because of the gospel he preached. It’s that he’s a prisoner for Christ because he belongs to Christ and Christ is the king of the universe. Christ has absolute authority and control over all things. There is a greater purpose for Paul’s captivity. There is a plan that is beyond his understanding. Just think of the guards that guarded Paul. Did they hear him complaining about his situation or praising in his situation? Did they hear him trying to find a way out or did they hear him speaking of being content in any situation? Did they observe him looking for bargaining chips to change his circumstances or did they see him thanking God for his circumstances? Paul was human for sure. But he was a redeemed human and Paul knew who he was captured by.
I haven’t read any books lately that encourage imprisonment as a way of getting what you want or growing in confidence. When I think about the things I want or the life-goals I have, imprisonment and death by execution don’t make the list. And I haven’t had anyone encourage me to pursue these kinds of circumstances as a way of growing in my confidence yet. But… when I am feeling ill-equipped or feeling fearful or insecure about my future, my closest and godliest friends remind me of the confidence I have in Christ. They remind who I am captured by.
They don’t strategize ways of changing my circumstances. They don’t outline steps to becoming a more successful father. They don’t lay out principles for becoming a more successful pastor. And they certainly don’t encourage me to pursue things sinfully so I can get what I want. They remind me that I am a prisoner for Christ. They remind me that I am captured by Christ in my momentary circumstances. They remind me that I am waiting for the day that I step into Christ’s presence in Heaven. They remind me that these moments are not about me.
The moment I began following Jesus I became his prisoner. I became captive to Christ for the purpose of bringing glory and attention to his saving work at the cross. I am captured by Christ to proclaim the power of the empty tomb. I am captured by Christ to live confidently with the hope of Heaven. My life isn’t about what I want anymore it’s about what Christ wants. Don’t hear me wrong I still struggle with my sinful wants but my life is not characterized by the selfish pursuit of what I want. My life, like Paul and like my Savior, is characterized by dying to myself daily. True confidence isn’t rooted in what I do or do not do. True confidence is rooted in who I am imprisoned to. We have confidence in Christ so don’t lose heart in suffering.
Conclusion and personal application…
I don’t want to go on record as a sinful man who struggles with selfishness and lust and anger and impatience. I don’t want you to know how sinful I really am. If you knew how many times I entertained a lustful thought this last week you’d be disgusted. If you knew how many times I entertained an angry thought and how many times a harsh word crossed my lips and how many times I entertained selfish fantasies about my paycheck or my workload I think you’d be horrified. You might be tempted to tell me how cowardly I’ve thought and acted. And you’d be right. I don’t think, desire or behave confidently or courageously as often as I’d like to project.
But here’s the thing… I am not captivated by my sin. I am not a prisoner to my sin. Sin doesn’t define me anymore and it never will again. My confidence doesn’t rest in me. I die to myself daily. I am defined and identified by Christ now. I am captured by him and my name is rooted in him. I am a Christian and in Christ I am confident. His confidence at the cross enables me to face suffering of all kinds. His confidence at the cross gives me confidence to pick up my cross. We have confidence in Christ so don’t lose heart in suffering.
When a friend mischaracterizes me and blames me for his sin, I can live confidently in the shadow of the cross of Christ and behave lovingly towards him. When one of my kids disrespects me I don’t have to fly off the handle to make them respect me, I can patiently and gently interact with them confidently. When I struggle with my sin, I can resist sin and walk in repentance because I can live confidently in the shadow of the cross. I can live with confidence in the shadow of the cross because I know who and whose I am. I don’t need fig leaves even though I want them. I don’t need to hide my sin even though I want to. And I don’t need to pretend like I’m better even though I want you to think I am. We have confidence in Christ so don’t lose heart in suffering.
I know who I am and I know whose I am. I am a Christian and I belong to Christ. This gives me great confidence to face suffering of all kinds. There’s no pride here. There’s no room for pride in the heart of a Christian. In Christ big people become small people and rebellious people become captivated people. Is that you today? In the face of suffering and pain and sin and unmet desires are you confident in Christ? When your parent is dying. When your friend’s marriage falls apart. When your sibling loses their job. When a child dies. When a friend suffers abuse. When your finances are in ruins. When your friend stabs you in the back. When your child rebels. When you give into that sinful pattern again. When your physical health fails again. Is your confidence rooted in Christ? We have confidence in Christ so don’t lose heart in suffering.
Paul knew this. His identity was rooted in this. When the circumstance of suffering drove earth shattering blows at the foundation of his soul he stood confidently. He knew where he sat with Jesus and his confidence was rooted in Christ. His name was rooted in Christ. His ability to face his circumstances was rooted in Christ. This is how Paul was able to say that “we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in Christ so don’t lose heart when you see me suffering for you”. We have confidence in Christ so don’t lose heart in suffering.