Suffering because...

Dear Weekly Readers! God’s Peace!

These days it seems our weeks go by so quickly! We are now one week closer to eternity than we were last week. We do not know if we will see next week, and we know the we are alive now because of God’s Grace! During our life here, we experience many things including sufferings. That is the topic of our article today, which is written today by a guest writer.

Please partake of the message from your “Weekly Diner.” (please let me know if the word Diner means a place to eat, like it does in our country. I am thinking of naming the Blog “ The Weekly Diner” and I would like your feedback on that!)

“Suffering because…”

Suffering is not a pleasant topic. Everyone experiences suffering of some sort. Some suffer more than others. The Old Testament patriarch, Job, is often singled out as one endured a great measure of suffering. Not only did he suffer the loss of health, wealth, and family. But he, also, suffered from so-called “friends” who became accusers rather than comforters.

We all know there are many reasons for suffering. But generally all suffering comes under four major reasons—1) suffering because of willfulness, 2) suffering because of circumstances, 3) suffering because of the love of God, and 4) suffering for God’s purpose.

Suffering because of willfulness is that which we reap because we willfully do or say something that causes us emotional, mental, physical, social, and/or spiritual pain. As Paul wrote to the Galatians, “whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (6:7). Whenever our carnal mind is in control we will suffer for our attitudes, thoughts, words, and actions. We can blame no one because we chose the course of action!

Suffering because of circumstances are unavoidable. Accidents happen, disease and illness attack, simply living in this “fallen world” can expose us to consequences over which we have no control. We may or may not understand the “reason” for what happened. If we know the reason and it is in our power to make some changes so that what happened doesn’t happen again, well and good. But we may not ever know the reason.

This brings us to the third general reason for suffering. We may suffer because of the love of God. This is one of the more difficult reasons for us to understand, but Hebrews 12:6 states that, “whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth.” We are to believe that our loving, heavenly Father needs to discipline us in order to deepen his work within us.

This suffering is tied closely with the fourth reason for suffering; namely, suffering for God’s purpose. This purpose of God is two-fold: a) internal and b) external. The internal purpose is the sanctifying work of God wherein we are being trained to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. The more fully we know him, the more we desire to be like him, and the more our heavenly Potter will be transforming us into the image of Christ. (Read Romans 8:18-28.)

The external purpose of God is our daily, visible, inter-relationship with others as witnesses of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is the evidence to others of Jesus Christ living and dwelling within us. How we relate to others; especially when under stress, will be a proof to them whether Christ is in control, or are we acting in the flesh. Of course, we all sin, we all fail, and we can be so grateful that there is forgiveness. We all need daily cleaning in the blood of Jesus. But, nonetheless, when Christ is the center of our life and the Holy Spirit is present within us, we are to walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh. (Rom. 8:9)

This inter-relationship with others includes both Christians and non-Christians. And since none of us as Christians is fully mature, even relationships with brothers and sisters in the Lord may lead to misunderstandings, conflicts, harsh words, anger, division. Hence, we may experience suffering. That can happen with non-Christians, also, but this is a different kind of suffering arising from those who are opposed to the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Even if we testify to others about Christ in a kind, loving, humble manner, some will react with scoffing, scorn, rejection, hatred and even physical harm. Most certainly this is suffering for God’s purpose since He does not want anyone to perish but that all would come to repentance (2 Pet. 3:9).

Suffering for God’s purpose is the highest level of suffering we will ever have in this world. Since our heavenly Father has established His Church, suffering for His sake has been and always will be our lot. Paul wrote to his young “son in the faith” saying: “…all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:12). Please read the study the whole of Peter’s first epistle in the light of suffering for God’s purpose!

Praise God we have the comforting and assuring word of our Master that if we are faithful unto death we shall receive the crown of everlasting life. (Rev. 2:10) So help us God! Amen!