For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake. (Phil. 1:29 ESV)

All seminary students graduate with some baggage. They have in their mind a model of the successful minister. And that model arises largely from observing their professors and the successful ministers they met in those years. Those minsters were invariably pastors of large, thriving churches characterized by popular elements of the “church growth movement.” They were attractive and good speakers and usually good pastors.

But I have often wondered whether that picture of the successful pastor is biblical. Let me illustrate: suppose you were a fly on the wall in the room with the pastoral search committee of an American mega-church. And, further, suppose they had just interviewed two of the apostles, Peter and Paul. And the moderator is compiling their comments. About Peter we hear, “smells of fish;” “notable failure at the beginning of his ministry;” “wardrobe needs updating;” “manner of speech a little too-backwoods.” And of Paul, “has an arrest record;” “problems with hair and teeth;” “needs a voice coach and glasses.”

I am afraid that we might find even the most notable apostles would have a hard time getting a job in our modern churches. Our expectations for the ministry are a little skewed from God’s ideals. If that is true about the man in the pulpit, what about the man or woman in the pew? Does our modern idea of the “successful Christian life” match a biblical pattern?

There are those today who preach that if only we have sufficient faith, we will experience “our best life now.” And God’s blessing is defined as a solid, blissful marriage, wonderful children who are by all measures above average, a hefty bank account, freedom from life-threatening disease, sky-rocketing careers, abundant retirement savings, and unabated happiness. Not to mention a vacation home on a lake complete with weekend toys.

That is nothing less than the American dream baptized. And it is an interesting inversion of the early 16th century church’s selling of indulgences. You may have heard of the monk, Johann Tetzel, who was supposedly commissioned by the Pope to raise money for St. Peter’s basilica in Rome. He was authorized to sell letters of indulgence which, for a fee, would free the recipient or a loved one instantly from the pains of purgatory. He is attributed with this saying, “As soon as the coin in the coffer rings, the soul from purgatory springs.”

Today’s church has inverted Tetzel’s error and made it worse. Instead of money buying the benefits of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, we in America sometimes preach that Christ’s sacrifice on the cross will buy us money…and health and popularity and success and all forms of temporal pleasure. We all desire a life undimmed by trouble or suffering of any kind.

But it is sad when that false gospel comes back with a second message: when suffering and trouble come to you (as they must), it is all your fault: your faith is weak!

It is a fair question to ask if that picture of life is biblical at all?

Listen to what our Lord tells us:
Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” (Mt. 16:24,25)
“Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.” (John 15:20)

And the apostles:
“…encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.” (Acts 14:22)
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. (1 Peter 4:12)
Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted… (2 Tim. 3:12)

The normal Christian life—the life Christ told us to expect—contains a measure of God-ordained suffering and trouble. Indeed, someone has said that the destination of the Christian life is the Cross. But that suffering comes with a powerful promise:

“Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Mt. 28:20)