| Christian Life and Doctrine | September 1967 |
Sacrifice in the Plan of God—Section V
A Fellowship of Suffering
IN OUR scriptural study thus far, we have found that the mystical body of Christ is included in the sin-offering picture and that sacrifice is a vital feature of the life of new creatures in Christ. Now we are interested in learning how the Scriptures elaborate upon this matter and how they detail the nature of this sacrifice. To begin this inquiry, we have arranged a number of pertinent texts into two main groupings.
In the first group, the sacrifice of the church is described in language which is highly figurative: Being dead with Christ, planted together in the likeness of his death, buried with him, baptized into his death, crucified with him.
The lesson common to all of these is the necessity for the death of the human will and the acceptance of the will of God instead. Planting, burial, baptism (or immersion,) and crucifixion are all used to illustrate this figurative death and the new life in Christ. In every case the scriptures convey no meaning apart from participation in Christ and the willingness to share his death, his baptism, his burial, and his crucifixion. What strong language to impress upon us the oneness of Christ’s sacrifice and the necessity of being counted as part and parcel with him in order to gain the privilege of blessing the nations!
Other scriptural terms are used to describe another aspect of sacrifice, and these suggest a second grouping of texts: Suffering with Christ, bearing the reproaches of Christ, partakers of Christ’s suffering, filling up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ, the fellowship of his suffering, suffering for Christ’s sake.
The world has established many bases for fellowship, including service clubs, pleasure-seeking groups of all kinds, fraternities, and numerous other societies, all sharing something in common. But here is a fellowship which is certainly unique among the annals of men—one of suffering with Christ. It is not just any suffering, but a participation in the afflictions, the reproaches, and the sufferings of Christ that is vital. This is the fellowship which distinguishes it from all others and gains the special pleasure of the Lord. As we view the Scriptures, all who have part in this fellowship of suffering and death are also counted as having part in the offering for sin.
To enlarge upon this matter, let us ask, Specifically, what constitutes the sacrifice of the church? What is the practical application of this doctrine as it affects the everyday life of the true Christian? No doubt the kind of sacrifice which the Heavenly Father appreciates most is that which entails suffering or undergoing a hardship for the sake of truth and righteousness. “If, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps.”—I Pet. 2:20,21
For some of the Lord’s people this suffering has been in a dramatic form, involving a clear-cut stand for the principles of truth, which resulted in worldly rejection and persecution. In their refusal to become involved in man’s hatred and inhumanity to his fellow man by taking up arms in warfare, many followers of the Master have been severely persecuted in various lands; some preferred to give their lives as a witness for peace and for the Master’s teachings rather than participate in any way in the slaughter of their fellows.
For others of the Lord’s people, the suffering for righteousness sake has taken a more subtle form. Day after day, week after week, they have endeavored to live in accord with the precepts of Jesus and the Scriptures, letting their light shine out in the darkness of the world about them. In the office or in the plant, at home or away, they have quietly lived out their testimony of a loving God and the coming kingdom, and have patiently held out the Word of life.—Phil. 2:15,16
Because the darkness hates the light, their zeal for the truth has also met opposition, though in a more refined form, such as being socially ostracized, considered queer, ridiculed, and the like. The words of Paul have proven prophetic in the text which reads, “All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” (II Tim. 3:12) But let us rejoice if we can trace these experiences in our lives, and be found worthy to suffer reproaches with our Lord. “If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye.”—I Pet. 4:14
The Apostle John wrote, “He laid down his life for us and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” (I John 3:16) In addition to letting our light shine before all, here is another area in which all of the Lord’s people can take part heartily and where much of our effort should legitimately be directed. Our brethren, of course, stand in need of mutual encouragement, strengthening, and assistance. This is a peculiar task in which the fellow members of the body—the ones initiated into the fellowship of his suffering—may participate. Our energies should thus be directed particularly toward the household of faith and be consumed in the work of uplifting them. This constitutes an acceptable sacrifice in God’s sight.
This is what Paul meant when he wrote: “If I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all. For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.” (Phil. 2:17,18) May all of us indeed recognize our privileges of service, and rejoice exceedingly in our share in this offering.
In I Corinthians 10:13 we read, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man.” From the human point of view, the trials and experiences which make up the church’s sacrifice do not appear any different from those present in the world at large. Yet, under the direction and control of our Lord, these are accomplishing significant purposes. One of these is the molding and developing of the character of the Lord’s people, which is so necessary for the proper functioning of the sympathetic priesthood class in the next age. All the experiences of life may thus help to shape and formulate the character of the body members who are properly exercised thereby.
The new creature’s desire to participate in the fellowship of Christ’s sufferings results from having tasted the goodness and mercy of God, and having been drawn within the inner circle of revelation to comprehend something of the grandness of his plan of salvation. Having obtained this glimpse of the program of restitution and the healing of the nations, he is eager to co-operate with the Heavenly Father in carrying his will forward. He realizes that the church, even as her Lord, must endure the sufferings, the trials, and the difficulties of the way as part of the training course for this future day. And he marvels at the privilege the Father has extended to him of being included with his Lord in the sacrifice which from God’s standpoint will be accepted as the one grand offering for sin.
Beloved, is not a self-examination in order at this point, as we realize something of the magnitude of God’s love in extending this privilege of fellowship in Christ’s suffering? May we not soberly ask ourselves, What am I doing in the way of sacrifice, in promulgating the Lord’s work? This may well be the most important consideration for us in the entire subject of the sin-offering. It is God who has made possible the church’s share in the sin-offering, but are we making full use of this feature of grace? Let us remember our vow of consecration to the Lord and endeavor to honor our commitment to him. If we keep our sacrifice on the altar faithfully until death, we shall rejoice throughout all eternity!