Tension between Faith and Frustration in Christian Life
The Christian life often involves a tension between faith and frustration, a dynamic evident in both biblical narratives and theological reflection. This tension arises from various sources, including internal struggles, external opposition, and the inherent difficulties of living in a fallen world while awaiting ultimate redemption.
One significant aspect of this tension is the experience of suffering and persecution for one's faith. The Apostle Paul, for instance, acknowledged that Christians are "destined for such troubles" [10]. He himself experienced distress, noting, "I am distressed between both, desiring to be loosed and to be with Christ, which is best of all" [2]. This sentiment highlights a profound internal conflict: the desire for heavenly rest versus the call to endure earthly trials. Paul also recognized that some individuals might preach Christ out of contention, seeking to "stir up trouble" during his imprisonment [1]. This suggests that even within the Christian community, friction can arise from impure motives [3, 4].
Frustration can also stem from internal spiritual battles. The Bible describes "strife" as a "work of the flesh" and an "evidence of a carnal spirit" [5]. Such internal conflict can be excited by pride, wrath, and a contentious disposition [5]. Even saints can be tempted to despair, though they are also enabled to overcome it through trust in God [7]. The compassion of Christ is presented as a source of encouragement for those who are weary, weak in faith, tempted, afflicted, or diseased [6].
The concept of "work of faith" emphasizes that faith is not a passive assent but an active, working reality that manifests itself through continuous effort and fruit [8]. This active engagement with faith can bring peace, both internal and external [9]. However, the presence of "constant friction" among those with "depraved minds" who regard godliness as a means of gain further illustrates the challenges faced by believers [3, 4].
Sources
- Philippians “Quidam autem ex contentione Christum annuntiant non sincere, existimantes pressuram se suscitare vinculis meis. -- Philippians 1:17”
- Philippians “Philippians 1:23 (Geneva1599) — For I am distressed betweene both, desiring to be loosed and to be with Christ, which is best of all.”
- 1 Timothy “1 Timothy 6:5 (NASB) — and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain.”
- I Timothy “I Timothy 6:5 (BSB) — and constant friction between men of depraved mind who are devoid of the truth. These men regard godliness as a means of gain.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Strife — Christ, an example of avoiding -- Isa 42:2; Mt 12:15-19; Lu 9:52-56; 1Pe 2:23. Forbidden -- Pr 3:30; 25:8. A work of the flesh -- Ga 5:20. An evidence of a carnal spirit -- 1Co 3:3. Existed in the church -- 1Co 1:11. Excited by Hatred. -- Pr 10:12. Pride. -- Pr 13:10; 28:25. Wrath. -- Pr 15:18; 30:33. Frowardness. -- Pr 16:28. A contentious disposition. -- Pr 26:21. Tale-bearing. -- Pr 26:20. Drunkenness. -- Pr 23:29,30. Lusts. -- Jas 4:1. Curious questions. -- 1Ti 6:4; 2Ti 2:23. Scorning. -- Pr 22:10. Difficulty of stopping, a reason for avoiding it -- Pr 1”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Compassion and Sympathy of Christ, The — Necessary to his priestly office -- Heb 5:2,7. Manifested for the Weary and heavy-laden. -- Mt 11:28-30. Weak in faith. -- Isa 40:11; 42:3; Mt 12:20. Tempted. -- Heb 2:18. Afflicted. -- Lu 7:13; Joh 11:33,35. Diseased. -- Mt 14:14; Mr 1:41. Poor. -- Mr 8:2. Perishing sinners. -- Mt 9:36; Lu 19:41; Joh 3:16. An encouragement to prayer -- Heb 4:15.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Despair — Produced in the wicked by divine judgments -- De 28:34,67; Re 9:6; 16:10. Leads to Continuing in sin. -- Jer 2:25; 18:12. Blasphemy. -- Isa 8:21; Re 16:10,11. Shall seize upon the wicked at the appearing of Christ -- Re 6:16. Saints sometimes tempted to -- Job 7:6; La 3:18. Saints enabled to overcome -- 2Co 4:8,9. Trust in God, a preservative against -- Ps 42:5,11. Exemplified Cain. -- Ge 4:13,14. Ahithophel. -- 2Sa 17:23. Judas. -- Mt 27:5.”
- 1 Thessalonians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Thessalonians 1:3: work of faith--the working reality of your faith; its alacrity in receiving the truth, and in evincing itself by its fruits. Not an otiose assent; but a realizing, working faith; not "in word only," but in one continuous chain of "work" (singular, not plural, works), Th1 1:5-10; Jam 2:22. So "the work of faith" in Th2 1:11 implies its perfect development (compare Jam 1:4). The other governing substantives similarly mark respectively the characteristic manifestation of the grace which follows each in the genitive. Faith, love, and hope, are the ”
- Isaiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Isaiah 32:17: work--the effect (Pro 14:34; Jam 3:18). peace--internal and external.”
- 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).”