Ordinary Christian Experience

Early in the Book of Revelation, the apostle John introduces himself to his readers. He says, “I, John, your brother and companion in …” He’s about to set out a summary of Christian experience. I wonder what you would expect him to say?

What he goes on to say is this: “I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus” (Revelation 1:9).

That summary shows us what the ordinary Christian life looks like.

First: suffering. Christians suffer in numerous different ways. To begin with, we’re not spared suffering that is common to all people, such as sickness, pain, and bereavement. But we also suffer in distinctively Christian ways:

— There is suffering connected with temptation, which can be painful to resist.

— We can be persecuted for following Christ.

— Sometimes our special Christian responsibilities can be burdensome.

— We can experience “church hurt” when leaders don’t live up to the moral standards found in the New Testament.

Let’s not be surprised or taken aback by our suffering. John includes it in his one-line summary of the ordinary Christian life.

But that’s by no means the whole story. John also says that we have “the kingdom,” which means we have all the benefits that come with citizenship in the kingdom of God. What are some of those benefits?

— We know Jesus personally, a relationship that fills us with “an inexpressible joy” (1 Peter 1:8). We have the best friend in all the world.

— We have access to God’s throne of grace through prayer (Hebrews 4:16).

— We have, in Christ, wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption (1 Corinthians 1:30).

— We have the sure hope of eternal life (Titus 1:2).

— We have fellowship with other kingdom citizens, our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Put suffering and kingdom together and what do you get? You get the final part of John’s summary: patient endurance. Yes, suffering will come, and perhaps we’re even experiencing it today. But the astounding benefits of kingdom membership help us to endure suffering patiently. We don’t let it destroy us. We keep on keeping on.

Yours in Christ,

Bernard