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Biblical Insights into Suffering
Introduction
We have covered four significant ideas concerning suffering thus far in our study of a biblical view of suffering. They have been . . .
A. Some Cultural Myths Regarding Suffering
B. Truth God Has Revealed Regarding Suffering
C. Jesus' Teaching About Suffering
D. Joy that Can Be Experienced in Suffering
(2 Tim 2:10-13 NIV) I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. {11} Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; {12} if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; {13} if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.
II. The Purposes and Results of Suffering
In this passage we find the major reason for suffering and enduring it. Timothy might have dwelt upon the unfairness of suffering as well as its pain and wonder if indeed God loved His children as He said. However, having the example of his mentor, the apostle Paul, he was well aware of the fact that suffering indeed a part of the job description for all who would claim to belong to Christ. It has a purpose to fulfill in us and for others that will somehow draw people to Christ and His salvation as they see His servants endure suffering to receive the glory that is promised.
Let us consider both the purposes and results of suffering, concentrating first on . . .
A. Purposes of Suffering
Here are some key purposes of suffering as God has revealed them.
1. To share in Christ's sufferings, becoming like Him in His death. Phil. 3.10
Paul desired to not just to accept the benefits of having a relationship with Christ, he also wanted to participate fully in His mission, even in the suffering that accompanies a life that follows fully in His steps. There is a camaraderie among those who have experienced similar suffering that produces a bond not fully comprehended by others.
(Phil 3:10 NIV) I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,
2. To make us rely on God, not ourselves. 2 Cor. 1.9
An overall purpose which God has for our spiritual development is to depend on Him. Because we are weak? No, because are given to pride. God desires men to know Him in all His attributes. When man glorifies himself, the creature becomes glorified over the Creator and men begin to trust in men.
(2 Cor 1:8-9 NIV) We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. {9} Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.
3. So that Jesus' life may be revealed in us. 2 Cor. 4.10-11.
When we suffer like Christ suffered, people see the depth of Christ's love for them by the depth of Christ's love for His disciples.
(2 Cor 4:10-11 NIV) We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. {11} For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body.
4. So that our faith may be proved genuine and result in praise. 1 Peter 1.7
The genuineness of our faith can only be known by its being put to the test. There is value to knowing whether our faith is true or not as noted by Peter.
(1 Pet 1:6-7 NIV) In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. {7} These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
5.To keep us from going astray, to obey His word. Ps. 119.67
Affliction is a great attention-getter for those who have ignored God's ways and choosing rather to go their own way. For some it is the means to their obedience. If they have made a profession of faith in God, He has obligated Himself to pursue and discipline His children.
(Psa 119:67 NIV) Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word.
6.To discipline us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. Heb. 12.10
There is also the benefit of developing godly holiness that leads to our good.
(Heb 12:10 NIV) Our 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.
7. We must go through many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God. Acts 14.22
Citizenship requires commitment. To receive the benefits of heavenly citizenship we must be contend for the kingdom of God which is at spiritual war with this world. Hardships are bound to come.
(Acts 14:21-22 NIV) [Paul and Barnabas] preached the good news in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, {22} strengthening 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.
8.To be able to comfort others with the comfort we have received from God. 2 Cor. 1.4
We gravitate towards those who have successfully endured similar suffering and troubles as we have. Such people are valuable assets to God's desire to give comfort to suffering people. By this many come to know the compassion and comfort of God.
(2 Cor 1:3-4 NIV) Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, {4} who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
9. To prepare for us an eternal glory. 2 Cor. 4.17.
By comparison to the eternal glory we to receive in heaven and all that entails, the suffering we experience on earth is described by God as light and momentary.
(2 Cor 4:16-17 NIV) Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. {17} For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
B. Results of Suffering
The word promises positive results of suffering. We need to focus on these when we are going through trials, to remind ourselves that we do not suffer in vain. Here are some of the results of suffering mentioned in the word. Some results are unconditional, i.e., the benefits don't depend on the way we respond in the situation. Other results are conditional, i.e., the benefits depend on why we suffer, or how we respond.
1. Unconditional Promises Concerning Endured Suffering.
a. It achieves for us an eternal glory that far outweighs all suffering. 2 Cor. 4.17.
(2 Cor 4:16-17 NIV) Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. {17} For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
b. We can comfort others with the comfort we have received from God. 2 Cor. 1.4
(2 Cor 1:3-4 NIV) Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, {4} who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
c. Others will give thanks for our prayers answered by God on their behalf. 2 Cor. 1.11
(2 Cor 1:10-11 NIV) He has delivered us from . . . deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, {11} as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.
d. After we have suffered God will restore us, make us strong, firm and steadfast. 1 Pet. 5.10
God know when we need to be refreshed.
(1 Pet 5:9-10 NIV) Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. {10} And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
e. God uses it for our good. Rom. 8.28
(Rom 8:28 NIV) And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
f. It builds perseverance, character, hope and maturity. Rom. 5.3,4, Jas. 1.3-4
One of the necessary character traits for an effective disciple and witness for Christ is patience . The fruit of our ministry takes time to grow from seed to harvest.
(Rom 5:3-4 NIV) We . . . rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; {4} perseverance, character; and character, hope.
(James 1:3-4 NIV) You know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. {4} Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
g. These sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory He will reveal to us. Rom. 8.18. This corresponds to 2 Cor 4:16-17 NIV.
(Rom 8:18 NIV) I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
h. As God's discipline, it will later produce a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who are trained by it. Heb. 12.11
(Heb 12:11 NIV) No 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.
i. We are blessed when we are insulted because of the name of Christ, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon us. 1 Pet. 4.14
It is proof of God's approval of you as a servant and the promise of His presence and grace in the midst of your suffering.
(1 Pet 4:14 NIV) If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
j. We are blessed when we are persecuted for righteousness. Mt. 5.10-11
For suffering at the hands of those in Satan's kingdom, we are promised God's.
(Mat 5:10-11 NIV) Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. {11} "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
k. Our reward will be great in heaven. Mt. 5.12
(Mat 5:11-12 NIV) "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. {12} Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
2. Conditional promises concerning certain types of suffering endured.
a. We are blessed—if we suffer for what is right. I Pet. 3.14. See Lk. 6.22
(1 Pet 3:14 NIV) If you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear ; do not be frightened."
(Luke 6:22 NIV) Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man.
b. We are blessed—if we are persecuted because of righteousness. Mt. 5.10-11
(Mat 5:10-11 NIV) Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. {11} "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
c. Our reward will be great in heaven—if we are persecuted for righteousness. Mt. 5.12
(Mat 5:11-12 NIV) "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. {12} Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
d. We are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon us—if we are insulted for the name of Christ. 1 Pet. 4.14
(1 Pet 4:14 NIV) If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
3. Conditional results, based on how we respond to our suffering
a. We will inherit a blessing—if we repay evil with blessing. 1 Pet. 3.9
(1 Pet 3:9 NIV) Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
b. We will receive God's approval—if we bear up when suffering unjustly. 1 Pet. 2.19-20
(1 Pet 2:19-20 NIV) For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. {20} But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.
c. We will be overjoyed when Christ's glory is revealed—if we rejoice that we participate in His sufferings. 1 Pet. 4.13
(1 Pet 4:12-13 NIV) Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. {13} But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
d. We will receive the crown of life—if we persevere under trial and stand the test. James 1.12
(James 1:12 NIV) Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
Summary
The Scriptures are clear that suffering is a part of life. For all it is the consequence for all of humanity for its rebellion against God since creation. It is compounded by the continued practice of sin by individuals who must suffer the logical consequences of their behavior.
But for the Christian, all the above is true but there is a suffering particularly associated with being a Christian that God calls His children to bear for all the reasons discussed in this study. Hopefully, it will encourage us to bear patiently the animosity and persecution directed at believers for their faith in Christ as a testimony to our commitment to God's plan to overcome evil by faith in Jesus Christ and His coming Kingdom.
In lyrics penned by Katharina von Schlegel in 1752, we find this exhortation:
Be still, my soul:
The Lord is on your side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to your God to order and provide;
In every change God faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul:
Your best, your heavenly friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
