What enabled Paul to bear with the difficulties, dangers, and sufferings involved in mission? Again, everything is to be traced to his encounter with the risen Christ. Paul was convinced that God has saved and is saving the world through the cross of Christ, which is the power of God and the wisdom of God (1 Cor 1:24). His acceptance of suffering is part of living a “cruciform life” that Christ lived. It is part of his missionary undertaking and is proof that he is true to this mission. But the cross is not the end; beyond the cross and suffering is the glory of eternal life which Christ now enjoys, but will someday be ours as well. And so Paul could confidently say: “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us” (Rom 8:18).
