I, as you, have always known that people suffer. It wasn't until the subject of suffering came up on another blog that I came to realize how much the scriptures have to say about the subject. At that time I was doing research for a lesson on a totally different subject when a number of suffering scriptures just kind of jumped out at me. My first thought was how big this subject is. At that point I think I was only at the hem of the garment so to speak. As I have prepared for this blog it becomes more apparent all the time that it is even larger than I had realized then.
The English term "suffer" is used in a number of ways in the Word of God. We have in these writings confined our discussion to the common usage. It has been noted that we potentially suffer for doing wrong, for carelessness, for chastisement, and for doing what God demands. All will suffer in this life and some will suffer for eternity.
Please observe that we have mentioned the suffering of Job as a result of temptation. We have noted that Peter and others suffered for the "Way". It has also been observed that the possibility exists for one to suffer for doing wrong, (I Peter 2:20).
The apostle Paul is credited with writing more of the New Testament than any other writer. God saw fit to use his writings to give us the instructions He wanted us to have. It is because of this that we know more about Paul's life than perhaps any other New Testament character. In II Corinthians 11:23-28 we learn a great deal about what this man of God endured for the "Way" which he had earlier persecuted. Here was a man who knew what suffering was all about. He had given it and received it.
Hear the instructions given to Timothy. "Suffer hardship with me as a good soldier of Christ Jesus." II Tim.2:3. "Be not ashamed therefore of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but suffer hardship with the gospel according to the power of God;" II Tim. 1:8. "But be thou sober in all things, suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill thy ministry". II Tim. 4:5. "Yea and all that would live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." II Tim. 3:12.
One could only conclude that God knows that His faithful servants will suffer in this life. Through the pen of the Apostle Paul, God tells us we need to be aware that it will happen and be prepared for it. It is then safe to conclude that those who obey God according to His word will suffer. Not suffering? Perhaps there are some changes you need to make!
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...
4 years ago
8 comments:
Dear Josiah,
Excellant post!!! I only wish I could have linked to it in another blog where the topic was human suffering. Well done.
Christian
Since all suffer in this life, both Christian and non-Christian, what does suffering prove?
Dear Anonymous,
Let me respond with a few questions.
1. What did suffering prove in the case of Job? Christ? Job; Matthew 26:30-27:50?
2. What did suffering prove in the case of Adam & Eve? Jonah? Genesis 3:14-19; Jonah 1:17-2:10.
3. What did suffering prove in the case of Paul? II Corinthians 12:6-10?
4. What does suffering prove in your case?
Christian
What does suffering prove? If you are knew to this blog let me suggest that you read the earlier posts and comments as we have already discussed this subject. It is our conclusion from looking at the Bible text that suffering primarily proves our faith. See James 1. If this is insufficient to satisfy your curiosity then consider that it also proves that God is no respecter of persons. The scriptures clearly state such. It is evidenced by the fact that both the Christian and non-Christian are allowed to suffer.
Well, if I am correct, it has been stated that it 'proves our faith'...to ourselves? But the glitch is, if I'm not a Christian, I don't necessarily have faith, neither do I need it proved--to myself, nor to ? anyone else. Huh? Christian: suffering seemed to prove in Job, that Satan was wrong, that Job WOULD hold fast his integrity (and belief in the Almighty). Christ? "Yet, though He was a son, yet learned He obedience." I don't know what Adam and Eve learned, maybe that they should have listened to God, because He knew what He was talking about? Jonah? Go back foolish man, Go back! Or you can't hide from/or trick God. Paul-lean on the Lord. Me? Prov. 22:3/ and Prov. 27:12. Sometimes I am one, and sometimes the other.
Dear Anonymous:
Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions. Herein lies my answer to those questions.
1. In the case of Job, his suffering, yes, proved Satan wrong, but more importantly proved; A. Job's committment to God, B. Job's faith in God's power despite Job's lack of knowledge, C. God's faithfulness to those who remain committed throughout their suffering. As for Christ's suffering, it proved the love and faithulness of God towards man. This all has nothing to do with the suffering of those who are not Christians EXCEPT that none of these were Christians.
2. In the case of Adam and Eve, also not Christians, their suffering proved that there is consequences to disobedience to the will of God. Jonah also suffered in the same manner. He disobeyed God and suffered for it. He also was mad at God for sparing the Ninevites and God used Jonah's suffering as a teaching tool.
3.Paul's suffering proved that God's grace was sufficent and that removal of the suffering was unnecessary because it was limited to this life. And it proved, as you said, that Paul could lean upon the Lord to bear up under the thorn.
4. In my case, and I hope in yours, suffering proves all of these points. Whether Christian or not all suffer due to the consequences of their actions. All suffer because of their disobedience, some like Job, Christ and Paul suffer because of their obedience. To those who are not Christians and those who are alike, suffering is a teaching tool. To the one, to bring them unto Christ, to the other, to keep them in Christ. To some people, suffering shows a lack of God for "If there was a God, why would He allow suffering?" While to others like me, it shows a God who loves those who are His children and those who aren't; yet also allows these created ones to exercise those abilities that He gave them. Isn't free will a wonderful thing?
Christian
Amen brother, very well said. Thank you.
Wish I had thought of that! Excellent observations.
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