The subject of human suffering has stirred much controversy for a long time. I don't even pretend to know all there is to know about it. I took a class one time on a very controversial subject. Early on in the class the instructor said "I don't have all the answers, I don't even know all the questions yet." Such is the case with me.
In this entry we will seek to examine the following: Human suffering, is it real? Will Christians suffer? Does God allow or cause suffering?
Is human suffering real? You are probably saying DUH! We only have to look around us to see that people suffer. People of all sizes, shapes and kinds experience suffering. This suffering comes in many forms. Accidents, diseases, emotional are some of the sources of suffering.
The book of Job probably gives the most in-depth look at human suffering of any book in the Bible. Job suffered the loss of his possessions, his family, and his health. And if that wasn't enough his friends and even his own wife turned on him in his time of suffering. (Read Job 1-5 for starters.)
Will christians suffer? The answer is without question, YES. Some of this suffering is the result of sin (IPeter 2:20). Some is the result of our own stupidity. We all probably know what it feels like to hit your thumb with the hammer. I am reminded of the story of the fellow watching the little boy hit his thumb repeatedly with the hammer. He finally asked the boy why he kept on doing it. The little boy said "Because it feels so good when I quit." We suffer from all the maladies that every human does.
But what about suffering for being a christian? Again the answer is YES! We can look at the book of Acts to find that this is true. Notice Acts 5. Peter and others were imprisoned, brought before the council, and charged to keep quiet. In verse 29 Peter made the statement "We must obey God rather than men." Then when they were released the scripture says that they went away "rejoicing that they had been counted worthy to suffer for the Name." (Acts 5:41). Was this really suffering? Weren't they glad to have been so treated? You can post a comment with your answer or wait until a later time for mine.
What about it, does God cause or allow suffering? I would like to suggest that He allows it. How do I know? If we go to the first chapter of the book of Job we will find the answer. For what purpose does he allow christians to suffer?
Why Does It Matter?
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He remembers what the squall was, but his mom and dad never even had a
clue. Not even when the event took place. There is nothing quite like the
experience...
5 years ago
5 comments:
I hear you! Or rather I hear the Bible through your blog. Good for you..for God..for the lost..and for my encouragement! I think my personal suffering has been caused mostly by myself. I also think that some of it was allowed to disipline me and help prepare me for eternity. I am therefore grateful for it! Keep on blogging! -M&A&B
After worship services one Sunday I joined my husband as he was talking to some visitors. At a pause in their conversation my husband was asked, "And is this your wife?" To which he responded, "Yes, we deserve each other." Through out the past years I have pondered on that answer. When, as happens in our lives something goes awry, I have at times caught myself thinking, "Now, Lord, did I really need that? Did I really deserve that?!" Sometimes I have to go way back to consider the problem, sometimes the answer is evident right away. Then maybe I just have to be content that perhaps I don't understand--and trust that I indeed either deserved it or just needed it as it says in Heb. 12:9-11.
Dear Josiah,
You asked the question: "Is this really suffering?" in regards to the apostles being dragged before the council and told to keep silence. Yes it was for two reasons. 1.) The Bible says it was in that "they went on their way rejoicing that they had been counted worthy of suffering for the Name." (Acts 5:41). and 2.) People forget that there is more to suffering than just being beaten, harmed, or in prison. As the American Heritage dictionary defines suffering: "1. To feel pain or distress; sustain loss, injury, harm, or punishment.
2. To tolerate or endure evil, injury, pain, or death. See Synonyms at bear1.
3. To appear at a disadvantage: "He suffers by comparison with his greater contemporary" (Albert C. Baugh).
This means that rejection because you stand for God and right is suffering. Or that slander, harrassment or bullying are forms that suffering might take.
We have no need to go look for suffering, it will find us if we stand for God and right. This occurs like Jesus said it would in Matthew 5:11-12, and because of a fundamental basis of our nature as Christians. John 17:14-16 states that they (followers of Christ) are different and the world hates them because of it. And Revelation 2:8-11 gives us hope that should we endure to the end, whatever suffering and persecutions come our way, we will be given crown of life.
We as Christians do not need to seek out persecutions and suffering, it will come find us. We do, however, need to be ready for it.
Christian
Just a quick question is suffering an actual action, feeling or another way of saying the word "experienced" or “went through” Sorry I jumped out of form here but I read the other post first and when it talks about Jesus suffering to find obedience in Heb.5:8, I believe it was more through the experiences and temptations as a man on earth, up till he actually did suffer or” experience” great physical pain through the crucifixion process. Not that he didn’t feel different feelings in different instances but I think that he had to experience these things to validate not only prophesies but also his teachings. I don’t think he had just found obedience at the cross.?
Dear Solomon:
First let me extend a welcome to you to this blog.
Second, if you look at the definition that I provided from the American Heritage Dictionary you will notice that the verb suffer means to 1.) feel pain or distress. 2.) to tolerate or endure (in this case evil). & 3.) to appear at a disadvantage.
In Acts 5:41 the Greek word is atimazo and means to contemn or maltreat, suffer shame.
In Hebrews 5:8 that you referenced the word is: "G3958
πάσχω / πάθω / πένθω
paschō / pathō / penthō
Thayer Definition:
1) to be affected or have been affected, to feel, have a sensible experience, to undergo
1a) in a good sense, to be well off, in good case
1b) in a bad sense, to suffer sadly, be in a bad plight
1b1) of a sick person
Part of Speech: verb". Therefore, you would be correct in that by the things or everything which He experienced. It is of note, however, that the word suffer is exactly appropriate here in Hebrews 5:8 as it was in Matthew 16:21 where Jesus said He was going to suffer at the hands of the Pharisees, in Philippians 1:27-29 where Paul tells the Philippians (and us) that they (and us) that suffering is a part of being a believer, & in Hebrews 2:17-18 where Jesus suffered temptation like us His brethren. Another note for us to consider: the word "pascho" used here is never used in a positive connotation in any of the 41 times it is used in the NT.
Some questions:
Is it experiences through which Jesus learned obedience? Yes.
Is having pain and hardship and enduring evil a part of experience? Yes.
Did He suffer before His ministry and death on the cross? Yes (Hebrews 4:14-15).
Is it wrong to say that we as Christians will suffer? No. (Philippians 1:27-29). Note that by using the word experience we in fact are missing the
Shall we always suffer in the negative sense? No.
Finally, let me ask you, "Would you suffer if you had to leave your home and family and live among strangers?" It would be painful to me, I know. Yet the Lord did it (Philippians 2:5-8).
Christian
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