The Christian Answer to Suffering And that, I would suggest, is the Christian answer to suffering. Suffering is hard; it is never easy. The great Liar who tempted Eve in the garden, and Jesus in the desert, does not discriminate. SUFFERING What is christian suffering? Suffering is somewhat mysterious. God must have a reason for allowing evil and suffering but the reason is beyond human understanding. While our natural reaction to pain is to avoid it, get rid of it, or numb it; we need to realize that God allows pain. It doesn’t matter what type of person you are morally or religiously, all are impacted by the Fall. Christianity preys on the innocent. “In the day of prosperity be happy, But in the day of adversity consider—God has made the one as well as the other so that man may not discover anything that will be after him” (Eccl. Compare 1 Peter 1:6-7 where the same Greek words are used along with the verb dokimazo which means, “put to the test,” “prove by testing as with gold.”. But we must tether ourselves to the anchor with knowledge, not only of the goodness of God, but the danger of evil. 3:13-17). vs. 59), (1) Determine Causes if we can (Is it because of something I have done? It has as its chief purpose the formation of Christ-like character (Rom. The following questions are designed to help us “consider” in the day of adversity: (4) Does my response demonstrate faith, love for God and for others, Christ-like character, values, commitment, priorities, etc.? God lovingly and faithfully uses suffering to develop personal righteousness, maturity, and our walk with Him (Heb. Because of our natural tendency to sin, given to us from Adam, we suffer under the tyranny of the flesh. It is a tool God uses to get our attention and to accomplish His purposes in our lives in a way that would never occur without the trial or irritation. If we are going to endure suffering and the trials of life, however, we must also understand and believe in the other purposes and reasons for suffering as they are related to the chief purpose. Christians also pray for those who suffer and try to help them. The Search of the Shepherds (Luke 2:8-20), 1. It forces us to turn from trust in our own resources to living by faith in God’s resources. Sinful Lifestyles and Systems (The Flesh): Suffering also happens as a consequence of our personal sin and systems of sin that come under our response to the Fall. Wars, violence, racism, abuse, corruption and a thousand other evils are not caused by God. When The Sun Finally Rises: Wrestling With The Past (Gen. 32:22-32), 2. Each of us knows firsthand what it means to suffer as a result of … {1}People felt threatened by this oddball new religion. Systemic sin is contagious like a pathogen, eating away at consciences of individuals. (See reasons for suffering given below.). 1 Peter 4:19 Therefore, let those also who suffer according to the will of God entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right. The Lord uses trials to test our faith in the sense of purifying it, to bring it to the surface, so we are forced to put our faith to work. Sometimes when we suffer, it is nothing less than an attack from the Serpent. 1 Ron Lee Davis, Gold in the Making, Thomas Nelson, Nashville, 1983p. The history of Christianity has witnessed an active debate about proper attitudes towards suffering, pain, and death, and how best to confront human illness and frailty. Negative: Suffering helps to remove impurities from our lives such as indifference, self-trust, false motives, self-centeredness, wrong values and priorities, and human defense and escape mechanisms by which we seek to handle our problems (man-made solutions). (4) We may suffer persecution because of our faith—especially when we take a stand on biblical issues, i.e., suffering for righteousness sake (2 Tim. The Search Of The Wise Men (Matthew 2:1-12), Christmas Searches: Expository Sermons For Christmas, 3. Regardless of the reason God allows suffering into our lives, rarely does it not reveal areas of need, weaknesses, wrong attitudes, etc., as it did in Job. Suffering at the hands of people (persecution, violent treatments) is used of God to “fill up the measure of their sins.” It shows the evil character of those who persecute others and the justice of God’s judgment when it falls. d. As a means of learning what obedience really means. Suffering is a battleground. Simply stated, suffering is anything which hurts or irritates. Anyone’s heart can harden, even faithful Christians’. That’s why they are called “trials” and “testings.” Even when we understand the purposes and principles of suffering, and we know the promises of God’s love and concern given in the Word of God for handling suffering, dealing with the trials of life is never easy because suffering hurts. The world is simply not as it should be so things like health issues, relational strife, and natural disasters exist. “It may be cancer or a sore throat. Insights from the beginning of the Bible’s storyline. 4:8-11; Phil. Take This Quiz. It is true, however, that rarely does suffering not reveal areas of need, areas of weakness, and wrong attitudes that need to be removed like dross in the gold-refining process (cf. Author of Manhood Restored: How the Gospel Makes Men Whole, and Beat God to the Punch: Because Jesus Demands Your Life, Eric holds degrees from Dallas Theological Seminary (ThM) and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (DMin). Related Topics: Suffering, Trials, Persecution, J. Hampton Keathley III, Th.M. (5) Suffering is a Process. So, deserved suffering is inevitable: “Be sure your sin will find you out” (Num. (1) We suffer because we live in a fallen world where sin reigns in the hearts of men. Marcion … Suffering provides key opportunities to manifest and magnify the power of God through His servants in order to verify and confirm the messenger and his message. The Bible even tells us why we suffer. ), (3) Determine Solutions (How does God want me to handle this? “For those whom the Lord loves he disciplines, and he scourges every son He receives” (Heb. To glorify God before the angelic world (Job 1-2; 1 Pet. (2) We suffer to develop our capacity and sympathy in comforting others (2 Cor. (1) Suffering is Painful. This became the cause for the first empire-wide persecution of Christians. In the design of God, it is also something to make us think. Suffering in the Christian Life Death, famine, genocide, war, disease, physical ailments, emotional issues, and spiritual decay permeate the fallen world. We reap what we sow (Gal. Just think of the Jim Crow Laws, or Hitler’s Aryan Clause. Of course, all of these do not apply at the same time. The issue of whether a lapsed Christian could be reconciled to the church became a matter of great controversy. Spiritual Growth and Christian Living Resources, 3 Reasons the 'Christmas Star' of 2020 Is Bringing So Much Hope, Amazing Children's Choir Sings 'I Can Only Imagine', 10 Things Your Husband Really Doesn't Like. Fallen World (The World): If you live in this world, believer or not, you will experience the tragic results of papa Adam. Of course, all of these do no… In this case, suffering often constitutes mirrors of reproof (John 15:1-7). We may know some of the theological reasons for suffering from Scripture, yet when it strikes, there is still a certain mystery. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; (1 Peter 1:6-7). 1. In a universe governed by karma, people who do good will experience good, and … 51). (2) We suffer because of our own foolishness. There are several important and interrelated reasons for the persecution of the early church. Origen died during this persecution after suffering torture (251). ), (2) Determine Objectives (What is God wanting to do in my life or in others? We reap what we sow (Gal. Suffering or trials teach us the truth of Psalm 62:1-8, the truth of learning to “wait on the Lord only.”. New Podcast from Dan Darling: "The Characters of Christmas", This site is a proud member of the Salem Web Network, a subsidiary of, Copyright © 2020, Crosswalk.com. It may be a personal failure or disappointment in your job or school work. Spiritual Warfare (The Devil): Not every type of suffering is the work of the Devil directly, though some might think that is the case. 12:6). 4:9-10; 3:18). our spiritual surroundings in times of trial and uniquely sensitives times in the midst of pain.Now I address some spiritual attitudes that can help us endure as co-sufferers (Phil 3:10-11). The Lord uses it to remind me to Whom I am anchored when I endure trials of many kinds. 1:19f). 1:6; Jam. Part of this suffering comes from the fact that we live in a fallen world, and this kind of suffering falls on Christians and non-Christians alike. Suffering equips us for ministry. Suffering is designed to cause us to walk by God’s ability, power, and provision rather than by our own (2 Cor. The next pro… 6:11–17). It provides opportunities to reveal our credentials as ambassadors of Christ (1 Kings. No matter the reason, even if it is not God’s discipline for blatant carnality, it is a purifier for none of us will ever be perfect in this life. (7) We suffer to manifest the evil nature of evil men and the righteousness of the justice of God when it falls in judgment (1 Thess. 4 Beloved Christmas Carols and the True Stories behind Them, 10 Things the Bible Says about the Mark of the Beast, Don't Forget That I'm Here Waiting, Lord - From His Heart - December 6, 10 Powerful Prayers to Protect Your Children from Satan, Why God Will Give You More Than You Can Handle, 10 Holiday Movies Christians Need to Know About, How Well Do You Know the Christmas Story? The believer should not be puzzled at suffering, because the Bible plainly states that it is a necessary part of the Christian life. One use of the book of Job is to distinguish a biblical view of suffering from the concept of karma, which is the notion that there is a kind of unbreakable cause-and-effect law in the moral realm. 1 Peter 1:6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials. “Trials” in James 1:2 is the Greek peirasmos and refers to that which examines, tests, and proves the character or integrity of something. Tragically it is often people who are entirely innocent who suffer the most. 1:6—“distressed” = lupeo, “to cause pain, sorrow, grief”). One, deserved suffering. 1:3-5). It can bring out our best c. 11:24-32; 12:7-10; Eph. (3) We sometimes suffer because it is God’s discipline. It causes us to turn from our resources to His resources. Suffering has many faces. If Christian fear-mongering were directed solely at adults, it would … Article Images Copyright ©. The meaning is similar to Romans 1:16 where Paul says, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.” The Bible says that our war is not against flesh and blood, but against an invisible enemy that wreaks havoc on couples, singles, families, sons, and daughters. 2:14-16). Probably one of the greatest challenges faced by Christianity and Christians is the reality of evil and suffering. But not all who suffer grow in the midst of it. Suffering itself is not the thing that produces faith or maturity. (4) We may suffer persecution because of our faith--especially when we take a stand on biblical issues, i.e., suffering for righteousness sake (2 Tim. Personal sins like greed, pride, or sexual immorality can cause suffering personally. You've planned for your future. They all result from humanity’s self-centred godlessness. (8) Suffering Requires Our Cooperation. 4:8-12; 1 Pet. That great song “Sovereign” by the incomparable Daryl Coley reminds us of God’s sovereignty during seasons of suffering. Eric Mason is founder and lead pastor of Epiphany Fellowship in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is also not a means of gaining points with God, or of subduing the flesh (as in asceticism). 11:28-32; 5:1-5). This has both a negative and a positive aspect: a. In these times of suffering, God has given us clear instructions to engage as warriors who put on the whole armor of God (Eph. c. As a tool for growth designed to cause us to rely on the Lord and His Word. Satan, the great deceiver, works in the inner city, as well as the suburbs. 119:71, 92; 1 Pet. It causes us to put first things first. In August of 2001 he was diagnosed with lung cancer and on August 29th, 2002 he went home to be with the Lord. Peter talks about personal sin that we endure the consequences of as suffering in 1 Peter 2. Paul’s imprisonment (chained daily to Roman soldiers in his own house) resulted in the spread of the gospel within the elite imperial praetorian guard. Loneliness, anxiety, and grief are examples of emotional suffering. Suffering is not in itself virtuous, nor is it a sign of holiness. Trials may become mirrors of reproof to reveal hidden areas of sin and weakness (Ps. 7:14). (2) Suffering is Perplexing. Leah: The Woman No Man Loved But Every Woman Envied (Gen. 29:15-35). The Lord, the covenant God, is the one who brought these sufferings upon Job. the Lord has taken away” ( Job 1:21 ). 4. c. To manifest the character of Christ in the midst of suffering as a testimony to win others to Christ (2 Cor. The desired goal is increased fruitfulness (John 15:1-7). As a pruning tool to remove dead wood from our lives (weaknesses, sins of ignorance, immature attitudes and values, etc.) (6) Suffering is a Purifier. “Testing” in this same verse is dokimion which has a similar idea. 12:7). 3. ), (1) Knowing and changing (vss. . The disciples were concerned with their meager bread supply, and it was clear that each of them had forgotten how Jesus … He lays siege to both bedrooms and boardrooms. ... one another, this is moral evil. 8). 5:5-11; 1 Cor. When it is possible, suffering is to be avoided. "THE PROBLEM OF SUFFERING" Who Or What Causes It? 16:7; 119:67, 71). We reap what we sow (Gal. Suffering in itself does not remove the impurities, but is a tool God uses to cause us to exercise faith in the provisions of God’s grace. 32:23). This includes the following areas: a. This involves known sin, rebellion and indifference to God. 12:5f; 1 Pet. He and his wife Yvette have four wonderful children. (4) We suffer because it is a training tool. It’s all sin can do. (2) We suffer because of our own foolishness. We must understand God’s chief purpose for our lives is to be conformed to the image of Christ and He has determined in His plan to use suffering for our spiritual development. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among many brethren; (Romans 8:28-29), (4) Suffering Proves (tests) Us. (3) We sometimes suffer because it is God’s discipline. 1 Pet. 1:2-4). This negative aspect is accomplished in two ways: (1) When out of fellowship with the Lord: Suffering becomes discipline from our heavenly Father (Heb. It is God’s grace in Christ (our new identity in Christ, the Word and the Holy Spirit) that changes us. Satan is the author of sin, and suffering came on mankind as a result of Adam’s sin ( Genesis 3 ). Many Christians lapsed in their faith because of the severity of the persecution. Suffering is designed to build our trust in the Almighty. God will use the most difficult forms of suffering to conform us into the image of Christ. Early Christians reflected on the origin of suffering amid an intense debate over the goodness of creation and the cause of suf-fering. Suffering is multifaceted. Personal sins like greed, pride, or sexual immorality can cause suffering personally. No man is an island to himself, and corporate sin creates systemic problems in our society. 3 Causes of Suffering You Need to Understand, Why You Have a Fear of Good News (and How to Combat It), What All Single Christians Need to Know about Masturbation, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. God can redeem the situation, but sometimes the Lord doesn’t remove all of the consequences. Even in the book of Acts, Christians viewed suffering differently than we do. Most times, suffering is a result of sin in a more general sense. The scriptural narrative opens with God crafting … (4) We may suffer persecution because of our faith—especially when we take a stand on biblical issues, i.e., suffering for righteousness sake (2 Tim. For instance, someone who has a child out of wedlock can find themselves paying child support, which could become a burden to their finances and cause economic suffering. The word brokenness may strike fear in some people, but it's really not a … For the believer, this is called the discipline of the Lord. 1:6-7). But so-called natural disasters are often considered evil as well because of all the suffering they cause. Policies can be made to preserve and promote sin. was a 1966 graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary and a former pastor of 28 years. We have been given the privilege not only of trusting him but also of suffering for him. It keeps the world from becoming too attractive b. 6:7-9). Used by permission of B&H Publishing Group. First was the problem of identity. Though spiritual warfare is related to both the Fall and the flesh, the suffering at the hands of Satan is a unique type of suffering. (5) We suffer to bring about continued dependence on the grace and power of God. Suffering in this world is a stone-cold reality in Christianity -- Jesus Christ Himself, God Incarnate, suffered betrayal, indignity, torture and a grueling death. 5:8). Some early Christians viewed creation as flawed from the beginning and thus as not the work of the God of Jesus Christ. 1:6-7: The key word is “the proof of our faith.” “Proof” is the word dokimion which looks at both the concept of testing which purifies, and the results, the proof that is left after the test. It seems that every human will experience some of the various forms of suffering at some point throughout… Does Wearing a Face Mask Displace Trust in God? All rights reserved. He did not simply allow them; he caused them to come upon Job (the Hebrew verb here indicates active causality). 67b, 97-102). [Editor’s Note: This excerpt is taken from Unleashed: Being Conformed to the Image of Christ by Eric Mason, Copyright © 2015 by Eric Mason. It is designed to build our trust in the Almighty, but suffering requires the right response if it is to be successful in accomplishing God’s purposes. Suffering is a privilege. We are called to do the same. Suffering happens in community. 3 Suffering in Christianity. (11) Suffering is a Struggle. As discipline for sin to bring us back to fellowship through genuine confession (Ps. 4:1 [The Hebrew of this passage can mean, “You have enlarged, made me grow wide by my distress”]). Because of that choice, the curse of sin pervades all creation—humans have a sin nature ( Romans 5:12-21 ); but people also are sinners because of their choices ( Romans 3:23; Galatians 6:8 ). “For those whom the Lord loves he disciplines, and he scourges every son He receives” (Heb. 17:17-24; John 11:1-45). All suffering finds its root, on some level, in the Fall. Suffering can also be caused by spiritual warfare. In addition to his role at Epiphany Fellowship, he serves as president of Thriving, an urban missions collaborative. And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. (7) Suffering Provides Opportunity. Why now? Romans 5:3-4 3 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; James 1:3-4 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 1 Pet. (1) We suffer because we live in a fallen world where sin reigns in the hearts of men. Jews were left alone for the most part; it seemed best to Rome to just confine them and leave them alone. . 3:14-17). 5. In fact, in Mark 8:17–19 we see Jesus’ own disciples suffering from this malady. (2) When in fellowship: Suffering becomes the loving and skillful handy work of the Vine Dresser to make us more productive. (8) We suffer to broaden our ministries (cf. Christianity - Christianity - The problem of suffering: The starting point for the Christian understanding of suffering is the messianic self-understanding of Jesus himself. A Need for Brokenness. 2. 119:67, 71). 119: Learning and turning (vs. 71, cf. They allow the process to work and allow us to experience inner peace and joy in the midst of the trials. Suffering is that which proves one’s character and integrity along with both the object and quality of one’s faith. 4:12-13; 1 Pet. The Apostle was undoubtedly continuing to rejoice in the Lord, but if he had been complaining, sulking, and bitter, his witness would have been zero. (3) Suffering is Purposeful. When the furnace is seven times hotter than ordinary, the Spirit of the Lord comes and seals up a man's pardon in his … 12:9, 10; John 9:3). It may be the illness or loss of someone close to you. Do Millennials and Boomers Share the Same Values? 6:7-9). 6:7-9). Suffering is a tool God uses to get our attention and to accomplish His purposes in our lives. Everything from racism to socioeconomic oppression can become systems of sin that cause us suffering. Sin works like a virus in our communities; one man’s sinful disposition can infect his neighbor’s. Suffering forces us to turn from trust in our own resources to living by faith in God’s resources. In fact, our suffering is a sign of God's love. In two earlier posts (here and here) I spoke about some features of co-suffering with Christ, i.e. 1:4). 12:6). INTRODUCTION 1. In the process of producing Christian character and enhancing our testimony to others, suffering often opens up doors for ministry we could never have imagined. (3) We suffer to keep down pride (2 Cor. (Philippians 1:29) 29- For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, Suffering is a means of learning. This fundamental flaw passed down to us through Adam creates the potential for suffering of every kind. This means trust, peace, joy, stability, biblical values, faithfulness, and obedience in contrast to sinful mental attitudes, blaming, running, complaining, and reactions against God and people. Consciences of individuals ( vss ambassadors of Christ Word of God that produces faith and mature character... Like a virus in our lives related Topics: suffering, trials, persecution, J. Hampton III... 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