Adversity and God’s Presence in the Bible: The Link
“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So, death is at work in us, but life in you” 2 Corinthians 4: 8-12.
What do verses 10 and 11 mean by “carrying around in the body the death of Jesus” and “we are always being given over to death”? I believe the proceeding verses give us a clue. I think to carry around in our body the death of Jesus is to be afflicted. . . perplexed. . . persecuted and struck down (vs’s 8, 9).
The Upside to Adversity in the Bible
But there is an upside to all this dying. . . “so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies” (vs 10). And “so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh” (vs 12).
In other words, to the degree we are afflicted and perplexed and maintain a right attitude in it, to that degree we are filled with the Spirit of Christ. And of course, the Spirit of God within isn’t just for our benefit. It’s at least as much for those we minister to as we see in verse 12.
To read the whole passage for context, click here.
The Two Things the Early Church Was Known For
I don’t think it’s any coincidence that the early church was known for two things: Great power and great persecution. It was, of course the power that brought about the persecution initially. But the persecution also brought about more power, as these verses reveal.
We see this same principle in Exodus 1: 12 when the Israelites were oppressed by Pharoah: “But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and the more they spread abroad”. Joseph echoed a similar sentiment in Genesis 41: 52: “For God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction”.
There is a definite connection between affliction, suffering, perplexity and multiplying or being fruitful. In the New Testament this equates to being filled with the Holy Spirit.
The Connection Between Adversity and Power in the Bible
We want the great power the early church had. The ability to heal and perform miracles. And bring thousands into the kingdom. But they would tell us there’s a price to pay for great power. . . great persecution.
We want the great reward of suffering without having to do any suffering. But it just doesn’t work that way.
Right around the time the Lord was showing me this I experienced a trial at work. And knowing the principle was a comfort to me. I had undiagnosed, untreated hypothyroidism at the time, which causes problems with cognition.
There was a trainee being trained in. And even though I had been at the facility longer than the other nurse, the other nurse got the honor of training her in. It was embarrassing, humiliating and painful.
I had to own up to the fact that the managers thought this other nurse was better than me, even though I had more experience.
If there was any doubt in my mind about whether that was actually the case, the trainee was given to a different nurse the next shift because the first one called in sick. And that one was even newer!
Adversity Is an Opportunity in the Bible
Looking back, I don’t know why this was such a shock to me because later that first shift an aid scolded for putting a warm pack on a patient’s face and “practically suffocating him”. And after that I made a med error giving a double dose of valium to another patient.
This was probably the extent of my suffering at that time. But even these lesser afflictions were opportunities to receive a greater measure of the Holy Spirit.
The Price to Have Jesus Revealed
There is a price to pay to have the life of Jesus revealed in our body. And that price is that “we carry around in our body the death of Jesus”. And there is a cost to have “his life manifested in our mortal flesh”. That cost is to be “given over to death for Jesus’ sake”.
Philippians 3: 10 gives us these words of the Apostle Paul: “that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death”. There is no resurrection power without first sharing in His sufferings.
How could there be? We can’t be resurrected unless we first die. Because of this principle, those of us who’ve been abused, abandoned, betrayed have cause to rejoice! And so do those of us who’ve suffered for our own sins.
We always receive a greater measure of the Holy Spirit when we resist sin. And the harder it is to resist, the greater the payoff when we do.
How Being Sinned Against Can be a Blessing
So often we feel cheated and robbed when we’ve been sinned against and mistreated. But that heartache can actually be the greatest blessing we’ve even known. If we resist the temptation that comes with it. And respond in the fear of God.
If we do that, we will receive a measure of the Holy Spirit that corresponds to the pain and suffering we’ve been through. This is true even when we suffer because of our own sin.
That is, if we resist the further temptation to be angry, bitter, depressed, full of self-pity, rebellious etc. because of the discipline, and respond in obedience. If we do that, then that pain, even though it’s discipline for our own sin will be an instrument to usher in a greater measure of the Holy Spirit.
Now, of course, it’s not what we go through in and of itself, that brings in a greater measure of the Holy Spirit. It’s how we respond to it. If we react with anger, self-pity or rebellion, we’ll lose the precious opportunity to receive more of Christ. And will instead lose His presence.
To read another post related Adversity and God’s Presence in the Bible: The Link to see Suffering Builds Character, But How?