A
FAITH WITH WHICH TO TOIL
There
seems to be an avoidance of any biblical topic which might be considered
negative even when Scripture plainly discusses such a matter. One such topic I
will discuss is the toiling aspect of the Christian faith, for indeed,
Christianity is a faith with which to toil and one worthy of toiling. I think
that our subconscious minds and even our hearts deceive us into thinking that
Christianity is full of happiness and little toiling. As glamorous as it may
seem, that is not biblical Christianity. Even spiritual giants such as Paul,
Peter, and truly all the Apostles struggled in their faith at times. Paul
speaks of toiling with the Christian faith in multiple letters. He writes, “For
this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me”
(Col 1:29 ESV). Additionally, he says, “For to this end we toil and strive,
because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all
people, especially of those who believe” (1 Tim 4:10 ESV). These two
scriptures, in particular, speak to the truth and necessity of toiling in the
Christian faith. I dare suggest that if one claims to be a follower of Christ
but does not toil, struggle, or suffer, he or she should carefully examine
their faith. Scripture essentially guarantees these for God’s people. How then
should we toil with our faith? I will discuss three principles which I believe
to be fundamental to one who toils well in the Christian faith.
Our Toiling Is Founded
These
two passages are taken from two different letters which Paul wrote: one to the
Colossians and one to Timothy. Both passages reveal an unwavering foundation
upon which our toiling lies. In his letter to the Colossians, Paul bases his
toiling on the preeminence and glory of Christ; when writing to Timothy, his
basis is worthy service to the Lord. Both bases (I believe) stem from a supreme
love for and satisfaction in Jesus Christ. This is the foundation of our faith,
for without it, not only is our toiling in vain, we do not possess the strength
to toil. Believers should realize that toiling and struggling through the
Christian faith should, nonetheless, be a joyful experience. Jesus, in
declaring himself as the true vine, says, “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy
may be in you, and that your joy may be full” (John 15:11 ESV). When God’s
people realize their place in Christ and mystic union with him, his joy is made
full. As Christ suffered for the joy set before him (Heb 12:2), we too should
toil, fight, and wrestle in our faith with joy. This does not equate to an
always pleasant experience; yet, the foundation upon which we toil affords joy.
When doubts and questions arise, when spirituality is seemingly stagnant, and
when we wonder what the point is, we should be mindful of the fact that we toil
upon a foundation: namely the foundation of Jesus Christ who is solid and will
never fail.
Our Toiling Has a Purpose
Christian
toiling also has a purpose, which is the glory of God. Paul was so set on the
preeminence and glory of Christ that he realized the struggles of this life to
be rubbish. “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not
worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us,” says Paul (Rom
8:18 ESV). Christian toiling then is not futile but holds the highest purpose.
Consider the difficulties the Apostles faced in their lives for Christ. All but
John were eventually martyred in horrid ways; all faced troubles even before
their deaths; and all had their faiths shaken at some point, some of which are
recorded in Scripture, e.g. Thomas doubting the resurrection of Christ and
Peter denying Christ. These are examples of spiritual giants, to whom we look,
struggling and toiling with their faith. When a Christian is confused, hurt,
wondering, depressed, or spiritually dry, he or she is not alone. Not only do
we share with the saints of the past, present, and future, Jesus Christ himself
presently intercedes on our behalf as someone who has encountered everything we
have (Heb 4:14-16). Amid the enemy shouting lies and doubts in our direction,
we should understand that a greater shout is coming from the one for whom our
struggles are placed. Unlike those who do not belong to the Lord, Christian
toiling is not futile but has a purpose.
Our Toiling Is Not for Us
My
final principle regarding our faith with which to toil (and with which is
worthy to toil) includes a plea. Our toiling is not for us or any other human
for that matter. I do not want to be the guy who says, “Tough it out,” but that
is precisely what we are to do. Scripture nowhere says that God will not give
us more than we can handle;[1] in fact, the Bible teaches
quite the opposite. People do not enjoy discussing the toiling aspect of the
Christian faith because it is not fun; much of Christianity, however, is not
fun. People who teach that Christianity should always be fun do not teach
biblical Christianity. Our faith has not yet been perfected but one day will be
when we are with Christ (Phil 1:6). Until then, toiling is a necessary but
formative tool in our lives.
Understand that
our toiling does not happen for us but for the glory and pleasure of God in
Jesus Christ. Think beyond the cliché of that statement. Our purpose, in being
saved, is not to go to heaven but to be conformed to the image of Christ (Rom
8:29). Thus, anything we encounter in this life faces that governing purpose.
Toiling then is not for us, for our enjoyment, for our pleasure, or even for
our growth but rather so that we become like Christ. In other words, the faith
with which we toil is for Christ. When that becomes our perspective, the
toiling process becomes a tool by which we view Christ’s glory rather than our
own disappointment.
Do you struggle
in your faith? Do you toil? If so, thank God that you are his. Toiling is
normal; it is necessary for the believer. Your faith is not perfect, just as
every other believer on the planet has an imperfect faith. Toiling then is
guaranteed and vital to the faith. Fight through questions; wrestle with
weakness; and trust in God’s strength which will bring you through it, as we
encounter a faith which is worthy of our toil.
[1] Many professing Christians falsely make this claim
based on a lose interpretation and misunderstanding of 1 Corinthians 10:13,
which promises that God will not allow Christians to be tempted beyond their
ability but not that one will not be given more than they can handle. The
teachings of Christ, in fact, contradict this thought, for Christianity
recognizes that humans can do nothing on their own in the first place; thus, a
Savior is necessary.
