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Part 1
Adapted by Samuel E. Ward from
"Toward a Biblical Theology of Suffering"
by Dr. Ken Williams, Ph. D.
Introduction
Suffering is God's plan for us. In western cultures suffering is seen as very bad, to be avoided at all costs, and sometimes even an indication that something is very wrong. It is considered abnormal. Unfortunately, most western Christian cultures hold an inadequate theology of suffering also. As cross cultural workers in Christian ministry we must move beyond the myths we have received from our culture, and develop a solid biblical view. God's view is absolutely essential to be able to handle suffering well.
God's word clearly shows that suffering is a normal part of the Christian life, especially suffering for Christ.
Philippians 1:29 (NIV) 29For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him,
1 Peter 2:20b-21 (NIV) 20bIf you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
This study examines several different aspects of suffering, and looks at many Scriptures on the subject. I urge you to study these references in their contexts, to develop a more comprehensive biblical theology of suffering.
I. Man's Misconceptions vs. God's Truth Concerning Suffering
A. Misconceptions Some Christians Have about Suffering
1. As Christians, we should not suffer in this life.
2. When we are living in His will, living godly lives, we should experience few hardships.
3. Suffering means something is wrong. It is an abnormal state.
4. Suffering has no redeeming or positive results.
5. Suffering means we can have no joy. It robs us of the choice to rejoice.
6. Spiritual people don't hurt emotionally when they suffer.
7. If God really loves us He won't let us suffer very much. His love means that He will put a hedge around us to keep terrible trials from entering our lives.
8. When we do suffer, God is punishing us out of anger. He is vindictive and wants us to suffer when He is angry with us.
B. Truth God Has Revealed About Suffering
1. In fact, we are called to suffer for Jesus. (Previously noted in the Introduction, (Phil. 1.29, 1 Pet. 2.20-21)
a. Christ receives glory by the way we handle our suffering and prove the power of our faith in His judgment.
Philippians 1:29 (NIV) 29For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him,
b. Christ endured His suffering for doing good and we are called to be ready to follow His example.
1 Peter 2:20b-21 (NIV) 20bIf you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
2. We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God; we were destined for trials. Acts 14.22, 1 Thess. 3.3
Acts 14:21b-22 (NIV) 21b [Paul and Barnabas] returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, 22strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. "We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God," they said.
1 Thessalonians 3:2-3 (NIV) 2We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God's fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, 3so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. You know quite well that we were destined for them.
3. Suffering is normal and inevitable in the Christian life. 2 Tim. 3.10-13.
2 Timothy 3:10-13 (NIV) 10You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, 11persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. 12In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
4. God uses suffering for our good, to conform us to the likeness of His Son.
Rom. 8.28-29
Romans 8:28-30 (NIV) 28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
5. We have a choice to rejoice in our suffering. (This will be discussed in detail later.)
6. Spiritual people feel many painful emotions when they suffer. Mark 14.33-34,
2 Cor. 2.4
Mark 14:33-34 (NIV) 33He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. 34"My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death," he said to them. "Stay here and keep watch."
2 Corinthians 2:4 (NIV) 4For I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to grieve you but to let you know the depth of my love for you.
7. He didn't prevent His own Son from suffering, Rom. 8.32. And He didn't prevent Paul, Peter, John the Baptist, Job, and others He loved from suffering greatly.
Romans 8:31b-32 (NIV) 31bIf God is for us, who can be against us? 32He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
8. Suffering may be God's loving discipline (instruction, nurture, chastisement) for our good. Heb.12.7-11.
Hebrews 12:7-11 (NIV) 7Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? 8If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. 9Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live!
10Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. 11No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
Summary
The title of this series is "I've Got Some Good News and Some Bad News." The bad news is that as Christians we will all have to suffer. Being a Christian does not exempt us from suffering, but as Christians we can take comfort that it has positive purposes. That is the good news.
Non-Christian suffer for two reasons: 1) it is natural result of man's rebellion against God. 2) it is the consequence of deliberate choices to violate God's moral law.
Christians also suffer for the same reasons but suffering can have the following results:
1. Suffering over sin can lead to repentance that leads to salvation.
2 Cor 7:10 (NIV) Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.
2. Suffering as a result of living in a fallen world can lead to a valuable testimony of God's grace during such times that can comfort others.
2 Cor 1:4 (NIV) [God] comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
3. Suffering produces maturity when it is endured with faith in God's ability to use them to make us complete.
