Affliction -- The (Best) Case for Christ

2Cor 1.8-11

In this passage, Paul tells of a ‘great pressure, far beyond [his] ability to endure, so that [he] despaired even of life’ (2Cor 1.8). An interesting bit of trivia about this verse is that the Greek word Paul uses to describe his ‘despair’ is an exceedingly rare word, used only one other time in the New Testament (interestingly enough, also in 2Cor), and it speaks of an oppression or dire situation without escape or devoid of any chance of survival. Whatever happened to Paul during his ‘affliction in Asia’ was certainly a crisis of the highest order, one in which Paul did not think that he would survive. In other words, some serious stuff.

Paul goes on to talk about the power that rescued him from his dire situation is the same power of the resurrection – if God is powerful enough to conquer death, surely He can save you from whatever situation you find yourself in.

As significant as that fact is, what struck me in this passage was actually verse 11:

‘...as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.’

Paul suggests that in praying for him, the Corinthians were therefore able to share in his joy of deliverance. Said another way, the news of Paul’s deliverance, while certainly good news to Paul, was also a cause for celebration to the wider church audience at Corinth for they were able to see God’s faithfulness in action.

This verse just jumped out at me because I think that it illustrates a fundamental principle about humanity.

If I could write an axiom for human nature based upon this verse and the reality of what I’ve experienced in my own life, it would go something like this:

>>The evidence of God’s work in one’s life is the most powerful and effective apologetic for the existence of God.<<

Nowhere did I see the truth of this statement more acutely than during my time at Oxford. Oxford was a place filled with very smart people. If I could use a Scripture to summarize my feeling there it would be Prov 17.28:

‘Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is considered prudent.’

That was me. Whenever I was in a dinner or a meeting with a bunch of brilliant scientists or writers, I would just keep my mouth shut, then no one would know how stupid I was!

Seriously though, one of the great things about a place like Oxford is the opportunity you have to rub elbows and engage many of the world’s best thinkers. You live life with these people, are neighbors with them, and our kids would play together. One gets the opportunity to have a full curriculum of learning simply by going over to your neighbor’s house for dinner.

As much as I was impressed by the level of knowledge people displayed within their own respective fields of study, I was even more amazed at how much the chemists, physicists, and poets I knew were well-steeped in issues relating to faith, the Bible, and spirituality in general. Just about everyone I had encountered at Oxford was extremely well-read and conversant in all things spiritual, and as soon as they found out my field of study, they had surprisingly deep questions and touched on many important issues.

One profound thing that that experience taught me was how useless many of our ‘arguments’ for our positions are at times. I remember one particular evening when I had dinner with a professor of evolutionary biology and genetics, a colleague of the infamous Prof Richard Dawkins. Try talking to him about Creationism and the beginning of the world! I have read books on science and creation and how to argue holes in the theory of evolution and so on, but these are useless against someone like that -- like trying to fight a tank with a straw and spit balls.

One of the most important things I learned at Oxford was that there is no rebuttal for a changed life. There is always going to be someone smarter or more well-read then you, one who can argue or cajole better than you, and one who is more articulate and convincing with their logic. It is just fact.

Paul in 2Cor 1.11 reminded me of this fact. Paul told of his deliverance in the face of seemingly insurmountable circumstances, and this caused others to rejoice.

No matter how smart or well educated someone is, they still need God and deep down, they know it. When they see us and our changed life, the joy we exhibit through tough times, the love we show those in need, the conviction we have toward Truth, this is tremendously influential.

I spoke to chemist who at one time was an avowed atheist. He knew all the ‘proofs’ for the existence of God and so on, but when it came down to it, he watched the Christians at Oxford, and finally said, ‘I want what they have.’ He is now a professor of theology at Oxford and a very godly man.

There are two main points to come out of this. The first is that people are watching and they are deciding what to do about God by what you are doing on a daily basis. Your slick arguments won't do nearly as much as the display of your life lived radically for Christ will.

The other thing that is important is not to be afraid to tell your story. Like Paul, we all experience disappointments, challenges, and despair, ‘even to the point of death.’ (2Cor 1.8) Often we are embarrassed or afraid to share such experiences, but these are the very things that can be so effective in sharing the love of Christ. Paul was afflicted and God rescued him. This caused great joy to the Christians.

People are watching and listening more than you know.

Jessica is such a great example to me in this. I'm the one doing a doctorate in Biblical studies and always have my nose in a book. She is the one making banana bread for people just because, saying 'hello' and looking our waiter in the eyes when giving a sincere 'thank you,' and just talking to others about life.

I'll let you all guess which one of us made the bigger impact for Christ (hint: it had nothing to do with Hebrew).