Suffering, Criticism, and the Beauty of God’s “Yes” in Christ
Humans, in their sinful nature, are prone to utter hurtful words, especially to those who love and care for them. These criticisms often come from close relationships, attacking one’s integrity and identity. Examples include accusations like, “You are not a good mother” or “You have failed as a father.” Such words are particularly painful because they strike at the core of who we perceive ourselves to be and how we believe we are performing.
The impact of such words can be profound and lasting. A retired pastor once recounted an incident where a church member slapped him and shouted, “I know my child best. Who do you think you are as a pastor?” While the physical bruise faded, the verbal assault stuck with him for life. This highlights how deeply emotional wounds, especially from those we serve or are close to, can affect us.
Christians are often misunderstood; some view them as inherently good, others as hypocritical. The truth is, Christians are ordinary people—sinners like everyone else—whose sins have been forgiven and who are adopted children of God. They are continually learning and sometimes struggling to embody the goodness of their heavenly Father. Serving in any capacity—whether in church, family, or workplace—exposes one to criticism, both fair and unfair, often from the very people one strives to serve and love.
This fear of criticism can be paralyzing, preventing individuals from advocating for change or actively serving others for God’s purposes. Even biblical figures like the Apostle Paul and Jesus faced intense criticism, rejection, and suffering, demonstrating that enduring rejection is a reality for those who follow Christ.
Paul’s Challenges with the Corinthians
To understand suffering in Christ, we can examine Paul’s situation with the Corinthians, which forms the background of 2 Corinthians. The Corinthians harbored several doubts about Paul, seeing him as unimpressive outwardly, a failure due to his suffering, too gentle, and lacking authority. They also questioned him for not accepting financial support, which broke social norms for teachers of his era.
Furthermore, Paul’s rivals, whom he called “super apostles,” impressed people with eloquence, status, and power—standards by which Paul recognized he did not measure up. A primary accusation against Paul was that he was fickle-minded, hypocritical, and lacking integrity because he changed his travel plans.
This criticism resonates today. We sometimes judge volunteers as less worthy than paid staff, or are drawn to “super preachers” online rather than local pastors. We expect leaders to be unwavering, like God, and unfairly doubt their decisions, wisdom, and integrity to boost our own egos. Paul’s response to these accusations, particularly regarding his perceived fickleness, offers a clear picture of suffering in Christ.
Paul’s Defense: Integrity and Godly Sincerity
Paul redefined “boasting” not in worldly terms, but in the Lord, in the cross, in God’s work, and even in his weaknesses to reveal God’s power. He affirmed his integrity and sincerity, stating his conduct was not based on worldly wisdom but on God’s grace. This integrity meant writing things the Corinthians could understand, contrasting with worldly practices of exaggeration and deception.
His faith was not about having immediate answers but looking forward to eternal hope and the full understanding in the day of the Lord Jesus. While the Corinthians struggled to boast in Paul due to his suffering and changed plans, and Paul found it hard to boast in them due to their disobedience, he believed their relationship in Christ was not lost and would be reconciled in God’s timing.
Paul acknowledged changing his travel plans but defended his integrity with an oath: “As surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not yes and no.” He stressed that his commitments were not made lightly or with double-mindedness, unlike those who might offer a false “I’ll think about it” or promise to pray without intent. His message was faithful and trustworthy, just as God is faithful.
Paul’s defense of his integrity was crucial because a person’s message is intertwined with their character. He pointed to Jesus Christ, preached by him and his companions, as the fulfillment of all God’s promises, demonstrating God’s faithfulness. By doubting Paul, the Corinthians risked doubting Christ himself, whom Paul faithfully proclaimed.
His change of plans was not a lack of integrity but a decision guided by his divine calling to teach them about Christ and to serve them with love. He swore to God that he did not return to Corinth to spare them from further pain or disciplinary action, as he had intended to make another “painful visit” if they remained unrepentant. He chose instead to write a severe letter, which led to their repentance and discipline of the offender.
Paul emphasized that he did not “lord it over their faith,” but worked with them for their joy, recognizing that their faith was built on Jesus Christ alone. He viewed himself as a servant, standing alongside them for their joy, which he understood as arising from the blessings of salvation and their mutual love in embracing the gospel.
Suffering in Gospel Ministry
Paul’s letter reveals that gospel ministry is a ministry of love and reconciliation, inherently involving suffering in Christ. This suffering, when responded to like Paul, can be an extension of Christ’s work on earth. While not all suffering is “in Christ,” engaging in gospel ministry guarantees suffering, even for ordinary Christians called to witness, serve, and build up the church.
Our lives, from God and for God, should be lived “for the glory of God” in all things, as taught in 1 Corinthians and Colossians. This means serving Christ in everything we do, not seeking our own good but the good of many for their salvation. Paul’s example provides essential lessons for navigating family, work, and church life.
Marks of a Suffering Servant of Christ
One mark of suffering as a servant of Christ is tenacity in suffering—persevering in love despite rejection. Paul endured immense emotional pain from the Corinthians, the very community he founded and loved, yet he did not abandon them. Instead, he followed up with severe letters and continually called them to devotion to Christ. He trusted God and gave others time and space to grow, rather than insisting on immediate resolution.
Another mark is humility. Paul acknowledged he was not meant to lord over them but to work alongside them, standing together on God’s grace. He wrote with simplicity and sincerity, taking the time to explain to prevent misunderstanding, a trait a proud leader might deem unnecessary. Humility also means not expecting perfection from others or leaders, and being willing to listen to truth spoken in love.
Paul also demonstrated vulnerability, pouring out his knowledge of Christ freely, not withholding special skills like a “shifu.” He acknowledged the Corinthians’ prayers, shared his feelings, afflictions, and fears, and even found joy in them. In a society that values self-sufficiency, Paul shows us that it is not wrong to need one another, as God has given us family, friends, and fellowship for this very purpose.
Finally, Paul exemplified integrity in suffering, proclaiming his and Timothy’s conduct with “integrity and godly sincerity” wherever they went. He adapted his approach to different audiences, but his core integrity remained unchanged. Just as God is a God of integrity, so too should we live with integrity, letting our “yes be yes and our no be no,” reflecting the God we worship.
Paul’s spirituality in suffering highlights God’s centrality. He relied on God’s grace, looked forward to the day of the Lord Jesus, and recognized his ultimate accountability to God. When facing challenges, we too should look to God as our strength and hope, resting in His promises, recognizing that suffering in Christ is not a result of our sin but an experience in the course of living for Him, responded to with faith.
Embracing God’s “Yes” in Christ
To navigate suffering, we must first wrestle with feelings of “not good enough,” which can be crippling when criticized, failing, or comparing ourselves to others. These feelings can make us defensive and overly critical. However, Paul’s example shows that being deemed “not good enough” did not deter him; instead, it led him to God, humbling him to remember God’s grace and boast in Him.
The gospel reminds us that our self-worth is not tied to performance but is secured in Christ, regardless of our perceived inadequacies. Even Paul and Jesus’ disciples faced judgments of being “not good enough.” We must learn to anchor our identity in Christ to endure rejections and criticisms, whether they are valid or misguided.
Secondly, we must reject self-made comfort. Living out our Christian calling with tenacity, humility, integrity, spirituality, and vulnerability inevitably involves suffering. Modern society often encourages us to avoid discomfort, but true discipleship means embracing the path of suffering, just as Jesus and his apostles did. Opting out of suffering is opting out of Jesus.
While modern life offers many ways to avoid inconvenience, true comfort is not found in avoidance but in Christ, who meets us in our suffering. Following Jesus may not make life easier, but it makes it more complete and whole, keeping us close to the Author of life.
Finally, we need to see Jesus as beautiful, not merely useful. While following Jesus might not guarantee a comfortable life, it reveals the profound beauty of our Savior who laid down His life to redeem fallen humanity. This beauty is found in God’s steadfast love and faithfulness throughout generations, fulfilling all His promises, even when circumstances seem to say “no.”
All of God’s promises, from the crushing of the serpent’s head to the blessing of all nations through Abraham, and the eternal kingdom of David, are “yes” in Christ, fulfilled through His death and resurrection. Even when situations like Sarah’s barrenness or Israel’s exile seemed like a “no,” God turned them into a greater “yes.”
Similarly, our present sufferings, which may feel like a “no,” will ultimately be a “yes” in Christ. This beautiful truth allows us to live with confidence, serve with integrity, and endure suffering, knowing God’s “yes” will never fail. Our suffering does not mean God has stopped loving us; rather, it can have a glorious purpose, just like Christ’s.
In Christ, God sees us as His beloved children, just as He sees Jesus. We are clothed in His righteousness and covered by His blood. Therefore, when life feels like it’s falling apart, remember that in Christ, God’s answer is always “yes” to His provision, presence, Spirit, and eternal glory. Let us behold the beauty of Christ and live with integrity and humility, so others may see His beauty through us.
