Paul, the Apostle, had a lot of trouble in his life after he became a Christian, because he was commissioned to spread the gospel (Acts 26:15-18).  He listed some of his most difficult experiences in 2 Corinthians 11:23-28: yet he was sustained by the power of God.  In 2 Corinthians 4:8-9, he writes, “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”  Nevertheless, he now pleaded with the churches to stop causing him trouble.

The true gospel is uncompromising about the change that is necessary to follow Jesus.  It demands a humble acceptance of what is right and rejection of what is wrong according to the Scriptures, repentance of what is wrong and acceptance of forgiveness, followed by incorporation into God’s family by the Holy Spirit, and then living a new life – like that of Jesus.  But most people do not like change, especially if their friends and family do not understand or support them (Matthew 10:26).  So, the gospel messenger is in the firing line because the message says ‘repent’ (Luke 24:45-47).
 
All of Paul’s Epistles to churches were written because they had either not understood the gospel properly, were at risk of retreating from active witness because of persecution, or were being invaded by false teaching.  All of these issues caused Paul great distress - as did the foolish, selfish, malicious and destructive activity of some individuals (2 Timothy 1:15, 2 Timothy 4:10, 2 Timothy 4:14-17).  Paul physically suffered beatings, stoning and imprisonment; but it was worse when he was abandoned by his close friends.  The Lord Jesus endured all of that.  Paul had endured much but wanted the churches to know that causing trouble for the Lord’s Apostle was like another physical blow to Jesus.
 
Everybody who loves and serves the Lord risks ill-treatment (John 15:20).  But when that suffering is at the hands of other believers, the Body of Christ is hurting itself and insulting the Lord.  Hebrews 13:17 says, “Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.”  Yet God’s servants all over the world risk being despised by the people they serve.  That is shameful.  The arrogance of some church members is truly staggering as you see them denigrating the people God has chosen to lead.  Some believe it is their right and even responsibility to criticise, condemn, and slander their gospel leaders.  They are wrong.  They should repent and ask for forgiveness, before the Lord deals with them (2 Timothy 4:14).