Balancing Identity in Christ with Daily Struggles and Imperfections
Christian identity is fundamentally shaped by the concept of being "in Christ," yet this identity coexists with the ongoing reality of daily struggles and imperfections. The Apostle Paul frequently articulates this tension, particularly in his letters, where he describes both the believer's new nature and the persistent challenges of life.
Paul's own experience provides a significant example of balancing identity in Christ with suffering. In 2 Corinthians, he states, "Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong" [1]. This passage highlights a paradoxical strength found in weakness, suggesting that human frailty can become a conduit for divine power. one commentary tradition by Jamieson, Fausset & Brown notes that Paul's "glorying in his other self, to which the revelations were vouchsafed, was not in order to give glory to his fleshly self, but to bring out in contrast the 'infirmities' of the latter, that Christ might have all the glory" [3]. This interpretation suggests that Paul's acknowledgment of his infirmities serves to magnify Christ rather than himself.
Similarly, in Colossians, Paul writes, "Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions for the sake of His body, which is the church" [2]. This verse has been interpreted to mean that while Christ's redemptive suffering is unique and complete, believers participate in a different kind of suffering—suffering that occurs through his people in a world hostile to the message of redemption [4]. This suffering is not redemptive in the same way Christ's was, but it is a continuation of the afflictions experienced by Christ and his church until God's purposes are fulfilled [4]. The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown commentary on Colossians 1:24 emphasizes that Paul's sufferings were "on your behalf," intended to confirm believers in Christ by glorifying Christ through his afflictions [7]. This perspective underscores that suffering, when viewed through the lens of identity in Christ, can have a purpose beyond personal hardship, contributing to the building up of the church [2, 7].
The concept of a "new nature" in Christ is central to understanding how believers navigate imperfections. Colossians 3:9-10 contrasts the "old sinful nature" with the "new nature," indicating a transformative process where believers "strip off their old life and put on Christ’s new life, allowing him to be Lord and to guide the way they live" [5]. This transformation is not an instantaneous eradication of all struggles but rather a reorientation of identity and purpose. The Tyndale House commentary on Colossians explains that this involves a continuous process of allowing Christ to be Lord and guide one's life [5].
Despite this new identity, believers are still "destined for such troubles," as noted in 1 Thessalonians 3:3 [6]. Suffering for faith is often an expected part of the Christian life [6]. The presence of struggles and imperfections does not negate one's identity in Christ but rather provides opportunities for spiritual growth and maturity. Hebrews 5:14 describes spiritual maturity as the ability to discern between right and wrong, suggesting that navigating challenges contributes to this development [9]. John Gill, in his commentary on Hebrews 5:13, discusses the concept of "full age" or "perfect" believers, noting that while justification is perfect for all believers, sanctification is an ongoing process, with varying degrees of perfection among saints in this life [8]. This implies that imperfections are a reality for all believers, regardless of their spiritual maturity, and are part of the journey of sanctification.
Sources
- 2 Corinthians “2 Corinthians 12:10 (NASB) — Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.”
- Colossians “Colossians 1:24 (BSB) — Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions for the sake of His body, which is the church.”
- 2 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Corinthians 12:5: of myself--concerning myself. Self is put in the background, except in respect to his infirmities. His glorying in his other self, to which the revelations were vouchsafed, was not in order to give glory to his fleshly self, but to bring out in contrast the "infirmities" of the latter, that Christ might have all the glory.”
- Colossians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Colossians 1:24: 1:24–2:5 Paul considers his own role in the widespread preaching of the Good News (1:23). 1:24 I am participating in the sufferings of Christ (literally I am filling up what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ): While the redemptive suffering of Christ is unique and completely finished, Christ still suffers through his people in a world hostile to the message of redemption. Christ and his church will continue to suffer until God’s purposes in this world are complete (see also Mark 13:19-23; Rom 8:17-18; 1 Thes 3:3).”
- Colossians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Colossians 3:9: 3:9-10 your old sinful nature . . . your new nature: Paul contrasts old and new identities (see also Rom 5:12-21; 6:6; Eph 4:22-24). Believers strip off their old life and put on Christ’s new life, allowing him to be Lord and to guide the way they live.”
- 1 Thessalonians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Thessalonians 3:3: 3:3 we are destined for such troubles: Suffering for the faith is often part of a Christian’s life (1:6; 2:14; Phil 1:29; 1 Pet 1:6; 2:21; 3:17; 4:19).”
- Colossians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Colossians 1:24: Who--The oldest manuscripts omit "who"; then translate, "Now I rejoice." Some very old manuscripts, and the best of the Latin versions, and Vulgate, read as English Version. To enhance the glory of Christ as paramount to all, he mentions his own sufferings for the Church of Christ. "Now" stands in contrast to "I was made," in the past time (Col 1:23). for you--"on your behalf," that ye may be confirmed in resting solely on Christ (to the exclusion of angel-worship) by the glorification of Christ in my sufferings (Eph 3:1). fill up that which is”
- Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 5:13: But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age,.... Or perfect; see Co1 2:6. This does not intend a perfection of justification; for though some have a greater degree of faith than others, and a clearer discovery of their justification, yet babes in Christ are as perfectly justified as more grown and experienced believers; nor a perfection of sanctification, for there is no perfection of holiness but in Christ; and though the work of sanctification may be in greater perfection in one saint than in another, yet all are imperfect in this life; and as to a perfe”
- Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 5:14: 5:14 Being able to recognize the difference between right and wrong is a defining characteristic of spiritual maturity.”