Is it possible to have two truths that are opposite, yet both are still true? That’s not just a philosophical question, but one with important theological and practical implications. Theologically, we know that Jesus was both God and man, but what about views of the Christian life that seem to be diametrically opposed, yet both are true?
For some, Christianity is about reaping the many physical as well as spiritual blessings God’s word apparently promises those who walk in his ways. For others the Christian life is not one of success, but of suffering, and life for these believers may be a hard one – especially if they are focused on fighting the sins and problems of the present evil world. But we can miss the point of Christianity if we live at either end of this spectrum.
When we only focus on and seek the good things associated with the blessings of the Christian life, we can fall prey to the errors of unbiblical prosperity gospel teachings – and our Christian walk can become short-sighted and self-centered. The truth is, true Christianity has always involved suffering for the sake of God or of others. Jesus himself said that “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows” (John 16:33 NLT), and we can see this from one end of the New Testament to the other – from John the Baptist being thrown into prison and executed (Matthew 14:1–12) to the apostle John being reviled and banished to the Island of Patmos (Revelation 1:9). Seen this way, Jesus’ primary command was “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24).
On the other hand, when we only focus on the suffering involved in Christian life – we can become discouraged and fail to appreciate the many things in life that God intended us to enjoy. Jesus himself said that “My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life” (John 10:10), and the apostle Paul tells us that God is a God “who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment” (1 Timothy 6:17). Seen this way, walking with God is exemplified by the Psalmist’s words “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4).
But these two approaches and attitudes are not really contradictory. The truth is, the Christian life involves both suffering and success, pain and blessing – and it is intended to be so.
The same Jesus who said: “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45), also said “The Son of Man has come eating and drinking” (Luke 7:34).
The same Paul who wrote: “Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 2:3), and “For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him” (Philippians 1:29) also wrote “I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings” (1 Corinthians 9:23), and “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4).
So there is no contradiction when Paul stresses both truths together: “we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory” (Romans 8:17). And while we may tend to only think about the positive aspect of this statement as being in the future, other scriptures show that it also means now: “For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ” (2 Corinthians 1:5). In fact, Paul repeats this idea of present suffering and blessing just two verses later “And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort” (2 Corinthians 1:7).
That is why Paul described himself to the Corinthians as “sorrowful, yet always rejoicing” (2 Corinthians 6:10). As Christians, we suffer and we rejoice, we are afflicted and we are blessed. We ask for and receive blessings, yet we accept suffering when necessary to better walk with God and to serve others. Any Christian life that only seeks blessing or suffering is not an authentic and true Christian life. Any life that embraces both is truly Christian and truly blessed.
For some, Christianity is about reaping the many physical as well as spiritual blessings God’s word apparently promises those who walk in his ways. For others the Christian life is not one of success, but of suffering, and life for these believers may be a hard one – especially if they are focused on fighting the sins and problems of the present evil world. But we can miss the point of Christianity if we live at either end of this spectrum.
When we only focus on and seek the good things associated with the blessings of the Christian life, we can fall prey to the errors of unbiblical prosperity gospel teachings – and our Christian walk can become short-sighted and self-centered. The truth is, true Christianity has always involved suffering for the sake of God or of others. Jesus himself said that “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows” (John 16:33 NLT), and we can see this from one end of the New Testament to the other – from John the Baptist being thrown into prison and executed (Matthew 14:1–12) to the apostle John being reviled and banished to the Island of Patmos (Revelation 1:9). Seen this way, Jesus’ primary command was “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24).
On the other hand, when we only focus on the suffering involved in Christian life – we can become discouraged and fail to appreciate the many things in life that God intended us to enjoy. Jesus himself said that “My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life” (John 10:10), and the apostle Paul tells us that God is a God “who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment” (1 Timothy 6:17). Seen this way, walking with God is exemplified by the Psalmist’s words “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4).
But these two approaches and attitudes are not really contradictory. The truth is, the Christian life involves both suffering and success, pain and blessing – and it is intended to be so.
The same Jesus who said: “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45), also said “The Son of Man has come eating and drinking” (Luke 7:34).
The same Paul who wrote: “Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 2:3), and “For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him” (Philippians 1:29) also wrote “I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings” (1 Corinthians 9:23), and “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4).
So there is no contradiction when Paul stresses both truths together: “we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory” (Romans 8:17). And while we may tend to only think about the positive aspect of this statement as being in the future, other scriptures show that it also means now: “For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ” (2 Corinthians 1:5). In fact, Paul repeats this idea of present suffering and blessing just two verses later “And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort” (2 Corinthians 1:7).
That is why Paul described himself to the Corinthians as “sorrowful, yet always rejoicing” (2 Corinthians 6:10). As Christians, we suffer and we rejoice, we are afflicted and we are blessed. We ask for and receive blessings, yet we accept suffering when necessary to better walk with God and to serve others. Any Christian life that only seeks blessing or suffering is not an authentic and true Christian life. Any life that embraces both is truly Christian and truly blessed.
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