Thesis: To enlighten the hearer to the end that he might have a better understanding concerning the topic of suffering and how it relates to one’s salvation.
Text: Job 1:1-2:10
Job 1:1 There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil.
Job 1:2 There were born to him seven sons and three daughters.
Job 1:3 He possessed 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, and 500 female donkeys, and very many servants, so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the east.
Job 1:4 His sons used to go and hold a feast in the house of each one on his day (likely his birthday; Job 3:1-3), and they would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them.
Job 1:5 And when the days of the feast had run their course, Job would send and (sanctify) consecrate them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, "It may be that my children have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts." Thus Job did continually.
Job 1:6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them.
Job 1:7 The LORD said to Satan, "From where have you come?" Satan answered the LORD and said, "From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it."
Job 1:8 And the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?"
Job 1:9 Then Satan answered the LORD and said, "Does Job fear God for no reason?
Job 1:10 Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.
Job 1:11 But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face."
Job 1:12 And the LORD said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand." So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.
Job 1:13 Now there was a day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house (likely on one of their birthdays; Job 1:4; 3:1-3),
Job 1:14 and there came a messenger to Job and said, "The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them,
Job 1:15 and the Sabeans fell upon them and took them and struck down the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you."
Job 1:16 While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, "The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants and consumed them, and I alone have escaped to tell you." (This may be speaking of lightning)
Job 1:17 While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, "The Chaldeans formed three groups and made a raid on the camels and took them and struck down the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you."
Job 1:18 While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, "Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house, (Again probably during one of their birthday celebrations)
Job 1:19 and behold, a great wind came across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young people, and they are dead, and I alone have escaped to tell you." (This may have been a tornado or a straight line wind)
Job 1:20 Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped.
Job 1:21 And he said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD." (i.e. we need to always speak well of God’s sovereign rule over creation, He created us and everything we have, He gives, and He has the right to take it away, it is His)
Job 1:22 In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.
Job 2:1 Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them to present himself before the LORD.
Job 2:2 And the LORD said to Satan, "From where have you come?" Satan answered the LORD and said, "From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it."
Job 2:3 And the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil? He still holds fast his integrity, although you incited me against him to destroy him without reason." (Note that these actions were without cause of wrong doing, but it was for the cause of “testing” Job, to see if he would bring reproach upon God, Who is over all; Eph 4:6)
Job 2:4 Then Satan answered the LORD and said, "Skin for skin! All that a man has he will give for his life.
Job 2:5 But stretch out your hand and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse you to your face."
Job 2:6 And the LORD said to Satan, "Behold, he is in your hand; only spare his life."
Job 2:7 So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD and struck Job with loathsome sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head.
Job 2:8 And he took a piece of broken pottery with which to scrape himself while he sat in the ashes.
Job 2:9 Then his wife said to him, "Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die."
Job 2:10 But he said to her, "You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil (accept adversity; NKJV, NASB)?" In all this Job did not sin with his lips (i.e. he did not speak evil of God, he remained faithful despite the testing).
Introduction,
Throughout the ages many have asked the question “why” people have to suffer, some have even attempted to bring reproach upon God and to point the finger of blame at Him . . .
As if He is the “who” that is responsible or caused certain individuals to suffer by way of His lack of love or power, we can see from Job’s case that in no way did God lack power concerning this matter, nor does He lack love, for God is love (1 John 4:16).
While there are others, many times ungodly individuals, who go along most of their life unimpeded by any unusual physical duress, therefore many think that a loving God cannot be in control concerning these matters?
Some may take a closer look into suffering, and attempt to analyze just exactly “what” is the purpose of suffering, if it is not just in fact an arbitrary arrangement (a matter of mere consequence).
And lastly, but not least, the question must be asked “where” suffering leads to, in this life and the next, for certainly something so prominent in this physical world must have a goal in the mind of the Most High.
This therefore will be the method by which we will attempt to approach this ancient problem of suffering, . . .
1) The “WHY,”
2) The “WHO,”
3) The “WHAT,” and
4) The “WHERE” concerning suffering in the world.
I. “WHY” IS THERE SUFFERING IN THE WORLD?
The question often posed by the ungodly is why, if indeed God is all powerful, and in Him there is no darkness (1 John 1:5), why then is suffering allowed to continue in this world? They make the claim that either God is not all powerful, or God is not good, as He claims.
1. Those that speak in such manner actually do so from the human standpoint, for they have not had their spiritual eyes opened by the word of God (Ps 119:104-105),
Psa 119:104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: Therefore I hate every false way.
Psa 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And light unto my path.
a. Rather they have been blinded by the god of this world (that is Satan), who operates through their own inordinate desires (2 Cor 4:3-4; Ja 1:14-15).
2Co 4:3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.
2Co 4:4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
Jas 1:14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own (lust) desire.
Jas 1:15 Then (lust) desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
b. Thus those that are such, the “carnal,” those that love the “things” of this world (1 John 2:16), cannot see beyond this world, for to them it is not reality, therefore anything that does not immediately result in a positive effect, many times is deemed evil, because they are unable to understand nor think like God (Isa 55:8-9).
Isa 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.
Isa 55:9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
2. In reality (which includes both the physical and the spiritual aspects) suffering exists and takes place for a number of reasons . . .
a. God has created this world, and with it He set in place natural laws such as gravity (static), photosynthesis, biogenesis, etc., and He also set in place general laws such as the law of cause and effect, the law of action and reaction, the law of sowing and reaping, and so forth. These laws enable this creation to exist, and without them it would be short lived, and when one of these laws are violated, the consequences are oftentimes grave. The person who steps off a cliff will likely fall to his demise, the one that exposes himself to contagious diseases, pollutants, or dangerous chemicals is likely to suffer lasting repercussions from such.
And “the soul that sins it shall die” (Ezek 18:20), “for the wages of sin is death” (Rom 6:23). Like Adam and Eve sinned and died spiritually at that very moment they sinned and ultimately physically (before a thousand years had past; 2 Pet 3:8), we likewise when we imitate them, we receive the same results according to the scripture (Gen 3:19; Eccl 12:7; Isa 59:2; Eph 2:1), which cannot be broken (John 10:35).
Some may say “why doesn’t God step in directly and stop these laws from taking their natural tolls?” Yet when we look into the biblical accounts, God has acted directly in order to bring His eternal purpose (the redemption of mankind) to fruition (such as Peter being released from jail by an angel in Acts 12 in order that he might fulfill his ministry while James the apostle on the other hand was allowed to be beheaded),
And this direct intervention was also used to confirm His message as being authentic and from God (Mk 16:20; Acts 14:3; Heb 2:3-4),
Mar 16:20 And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.
Act 14:3 So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.
Heb 2:3 how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was (confirmed) attested to us by those who heard,
Heb 2:4 while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.
But now with the establishment of the church and the true forgiveness of sins available, God has indeed stepped in through the gospel and stopped His laws from taking their full toll, yet this has to be accepted by faith in Him, Christ and His promises (Rom 1:16-17; 10:17; John 3:16; Tit 1:1-2).
Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
Rom 1:17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, "The righteous shall live by faith."
Rom 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of (God) Christ.
Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that everyone believing into Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (LITV)
Tit 1:1 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness,
Tit 1:2 in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began
Therefore it can be seen that the “why” concerning suffering’s existence, at least in part, is when God’s natural or spiritual laws have been violated, yet God in His great love has provided a way to side-step, get around these laws so to speak through the gospel (John 11:25; 1 Cor 15:21-23; Eph 2:1-6).
Joh 11:25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,
1Co 15:21 For as by a (hu)man (anthropos) came death, by a (Hu)man (anthropos) has come also the resurrection of the dead.
1Co 15:22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.
1Co 15:23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.
Eph 2:1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins
Eph 2:2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—
Eph 2:3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.
Eph 2:4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,
Eph 2:5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—
Eph 2:6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
This is the good news through Jesus.
II. “WHO” IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SUFFERING IN THE WORLD?
(Eph 4:4-6)
Eph 4:4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as also you were called in one hope of your calling;
Eph 4:5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
Eph 4:6 one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in all.
A. Generally speaking God is directly responsible for all that exists, it is written “In the beginning God created” (Gen 1:1a), therefore everything that exists is either God or creation, the works of His hands (at least through the agencies He has brought about), yet as stated previously, His laws were set in place for good, they were not placed there to bring about primarily the suffering of individuals, but rather for their ultimate good, both physically and spiritually.
But when sin was introduced into the world (Gen 3) by the transgression of law (1 John 3:4), death (both spiritual and physical) then entered into the world, for since then “all sinned” (Rom 5:12), and along with death came the suffering that is the result of such, therefore much suffering is the result of our own actions.
Yet this is not all inclusive, some suffering may be the work of Satan, as seen in the case of Job (Job 1:6-12; 2:1-6), Satan can work through others, or our own selves, or perhaps through the providence (the creation) of God (as I believe in Job’s case), everything that happened in that account seemed to be of a non-miraculous nature, the only questionable event was the fire from heaven (Job 1:16) and I believe that could refer to lightning.
Also some suffering may be the chastisement of God upon his children (Heb 12:1-13).
Throughout the ages God had miraculously and providentially chastised His children when needed, and always motivated by His great love for them, for it is written (Pro 13:24) . . .
Pro 13:24 Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.
Now with the Lord’s church up and running, that spiritual entity purposed, prophesied and perfected, and the completion of God’s revelation, there seems no longer to be a need for God to miraculously chastise His children, yet the secret things belong to our God (Deut 29:29), thus we are not sure what God is doing behind the scenes, but we know He does still work (Jn 5:17).
Yet through His physical creation (providence), through the church (discipline; instructive and corrective), and through His word (the sword of the Spirit; Eph 6:17) and one’s conscience molded by that word, God still chastises His children to this day (Heb 12:6) . . .
Heb 12:6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives."
Therefore we, given the gift of free will (Mt 23:37; Rev 22:17), when we exercise that will against God’s, oftentimes bring about suffering upon ourselves (Rom 6:23a).
God may be directly or indirectly “responsible” for some of the physical and emotional suffering in the world,
And Satan for some, through his agents,
And still other suffering, as noted in the previous section, may come about through the breaking of God’s physical laws.
Therefore God’s sufferings are meant for good (which we will look at in the next section), Satan’s sufferings are meant for evil, and the breaking of physical laws are amoral, i.e. they are neither good nor evil.
Let us conclude this section by reading Heb 12:1-13 . . .
Heb 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
Heb 12:2 looking to Jesus, the (author) founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him (saving mankind) endured the cross, despising the shame (of those who wrongfully accused Him), and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Heb 12:3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.
Heb 12:4 In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. (as did Jesus)
Heb 12:5 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? "My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. (instead use the discipline as God intended, for your good; readjust, get in line with God’s will)
Heb 12:6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives."
Heb 12:7 It is for discipline that you have to endure (the word disciple implies discipline, we are not perfect, but if we are disciplined and endure it, and get back on that narrow path because of it, it is good). God is treating you as sons (Fathers discipline their children). For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? (there is none)
Heb 12:8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. (if we are not corrected by God, then we are not His, because no one is perfect but God alone)
Heb 12:9 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live?
Heb 12:10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. (that we may be holy as He is holy, without which we will not see God)
Heb 12:11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. (submit to it, be trained by it, instead of fighting against it)
Heb 12:12 Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees,
Heb 12:13 and make straight paths for your feet (align with God’s will), so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.
May we spiritually analyze our personal sufferings and grow closer to God through them.
III. “WHAT” IS THE PURPOSE OF SUFFERING IN THE WORLD?
As the children of God, and knowing God and His workings as revealed upon the pages of inspiration, it is easy for us to see the inherent good in all suffering (this is not the case with the unregenerated, i.e. those not born again; Jn 3:3), this good can be seen in even that from an evil source, as with the case of Joseph who was sold into slavery by his envious brothers (Gen 50:20).
Gen 50:20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.
1. Yet for those of the world suffering oftentimes brings about anger, reproach, and all types of ungodly reactions, and ultimately a giving up and self-collapse.
a. And it is in this state of “self-collapse,” whether it be physical or spiritual, that our heavenly Father in fact wants upon all mankind, perhaps not completely, but enough to be brought into submission to His will, and a turning over to Him, a trusting in Him, through Christ and His gospel for our ultimate salvation, loving God and others ahead of ourselves (Mt 22:37-39; John 14:15; 2 John 6).
b. For it is oftentimes when a person is in great duress, and with nowhere to turn, that said person turns to God, some only temporarily, but others for eternity (Mt 5:3; Isa 66:2b) . . .
Mat 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Isa 66:2b But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble (poor) and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.
2. But physically speaking, suffering does have its purpose, that reminds me of an account I once read about concerning a little boy in India, who was born with no nerve endings, thus he could feel no physical pain. One may think that this would be a blessing, one would never have to be concerned about a stubbed toe again, yet in fact just the opposite was true . . .
a. When he was very young he almost loss his hands because he had put them on a hot woodstove, of which any normal toddler would have immediately felt the pain, and quickly removed them without too much physical damage, yet it wasn’t till his mother smelled the burning of flesh and saved the young boy from further injury that the destruction was ceased, the doctors were just barely able to save his hands through skin grafting.
b. And in another instance not long after that, the little boy appeared in the family’s hut and collapsed in the doorway, the mother picked him up and noticed his foot was badly cut, and that he had experienced an obvious loss of blood, again the boy was barely saved by a transfusion.
c. If this child could experience pain, he would have felt the pain and cried out or sought help immediately and the bleeding stopped, but none the less, his lack of ability to suffer pain prevented such.
d. The tragic ending for this boy came about when he was only 8 years old, one day he came into the family’s hut and laid down on his mat in the corner (which is customary in that country), and when the mother went over to check on him a few moments later, and he was dead. The autopsy revealed he died of a ruptured appendix, and not being able to experience abdominal pain, he had no signs that would have led him to seek help from others.
e. Thus his young painless life was not a blessing, but rather a curse, this story shows us the good that is inherent in suffering at least on a physical level.
3. Now on the spiritual side, the Bible teaches us that suffering has many positive qualities, it keeps the physical world from becoming too attractive (turn to 2 Cor 4:16-5:1).
2Co 4:16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.
2Co 4:17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, (this means that the temporal physical sufferings we experience as our bodies are going back to the dust from which they came, should turn us towards God, Who gives us an eternal hope through the gospel)
2Co 4:18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient (temporal), but the things that are unseen are eternal.
2Co 5:1 For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed (again this refers to physical death and the body decaying back into dust from which it originally came), we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
a. For the redeemed, we know that this world truly is not our true home (Phili 3:20; Heb 11:10, 13; 12:28-29; 1 Pet 1:17; 2:11).
Php 3:20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
Php 3:21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
Heb 11:10 for he (Abraham) looked for the city which has the foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
Heb 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
Heb 12:28 Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship (service), with reverence and awe,
Heb 12:29 for our God is a consuming fire.
1Pe 1:17 And if you call on him as Father, who without respect of persons judges according to each man's work, pass the time of your sojourning in fear (godly reverence i.e. holiness):
1Pe 1:18 knowing that you were redeemed, not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, from your vain manner of life handed down from your fathers;
1Pe 1:19 but with precious blood, as of a lamb without spot, even the blood of Christ:
1Pe 2:11 Beloved, I beseech you as sojourners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
b. Therefore understanding that we as Christ followers are no longer citizens of this world, our sufferings are to help keep our focus on things of a heavenly nature, on our true home, where sufferings for the redeemed will have ceased (Rev 21:4) . . .
Rev 21:4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away."
c. Also the suffering of others brings out the best in God’s children, compassion, love (2 Cor 1:3-4).
2Co 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
2Co 1:4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
d. Suffering brings about our helping of others in times of hardship by attending to their physical needs (1 John 3:17-18), thus fulfilling our created purpose in Christ (Eph 2:10).
1Jn 3:17 But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?
1Jn 3:18 Little children, let us not love (only) in word or talk but in deed and in truth (also).
Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
e. Suffering makes us more appreciative of the good things that we have received, and thereby gives us all the more opportunity to glorify God (Job 1:21;1 Cor 1:31; Eph 5:20),
Job 1:21 And he said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD."
1Co 1:31 so that, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord."
Eph 5:20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
f. From Whom comes all good things (Ja 1:17).
Jas 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
g. Suffering also purifies and strengthens our faith, as gold ore that is tossed in a red hot crucible for the purpose of separating the dross from the precious metal (look at 1 Pet 1:6-7).
1Pe 1:6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials,
1Pe 1:7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
h. Spiritual maturity is brought about through our enduring of trials/suffering (turn to Ja 1:2-4).
Jas 1:2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,
Jas 1:3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
Jas 1:4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
i. Also suffering teaches us how to pray earnestly, as did Christ in the garden (Mt 26:36-46)
j. Suffering teaches us to look at things from God’s point of view (Isa 55:8-9),
k. And most importantly suffering makes us Christ-like (1 Cor 11:1; turn to Heb 5:7-9).
Heb 5:7 In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his (godly fear) reverence.
Heb 5:8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.
Heb 5:9 And being made perfect (being faithful unto death upon the cross), he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him,
l. Now turn to (1 Pet 2:19-21) . . .
1Pe 2:19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.
1Pe 2:20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.
1Pe 2:21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.
m. Suffering brings us to a point that we must commit our souls to God, and trust in Him as a faithful Creator, (1 Pet 2:22-23),
1Pe 2:22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.
1Pe 2:23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.
n. For God Who cannot lie (Heb 6:18), always keeps His promises (Tit 1:2; 1 John 5:13) . . .
Tit 1:2 in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began
1Jn 5:13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.
o. This fact concerning the hope of eternal life enables us to endure sufferings and to continue looking to the things above in our times of despair (Col 3:1-4).
Col 3:1 If then you have been raised with Christ, (keep) seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Col 3:2 (Keep) Set(ting) your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
Col 3:3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
Col 3:4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
p. Then, with these facts in view, it is easy to see the “purpose” in suffering, physically it actually helps us identify times of trouble, in order that we can have more time on this earth, in order that we can outwardly manifest spiritual fruits, our love for God, and others,
q. And it builds our faith (trust) in God that endures unto eternal life (Rev 2:10).
Rev 2:10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
IV. “WHERE” IS THE SUFFERING IN THE WORLD TO LEAD US?
The bible teaches us that there are but two places that all individuals will ultimately reside (Mt 25:46).
Mat 25:46 And these shall go away into eternal punishment: but the righteous into eternal life.
The faithful children of God and the unaccountable (according to God’s judgment) will ultimately reside in the new creation, the “new heavens and a new earth” (2 Pet 3:13; Rev 21:1), I believe this refers to one of “the heavenly places” those “many mansions” the eternal abode of the righteous; Or they will permanently reside “in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone” (Rev 21:8), and I believe that suffering will have a big part to do with the assignments thereof.
Remember we looked at three possible sources from which suffering originated,
1) The breaking of God’s laws, whether physical or spiritual,
2) From Satan who is allowed by God to test his children through persecutions, inward or outward trials, or 3) From God Himself, chastising us through His providence, the discipline of the church (instructive and corrective), or through His word by the instrumentality of our God given consciences.
Now whether these sources are good, evil or amoral (neither good nor evil), is really of no consequence, what is of consequence is one’s reactions to said sufferings, will a person sin in the anguish of suffering “renounce (curse) God, and die” according to the advice of Job’s wife (Job 2:9)?
It is a very sad thing that is seen today among some of the elderly of this nation (for I was formerly employed at a nursing home), and many were riddled with disease, on the brink of death, and from some oftentimes nothing is heard but God’s name brought forth in curses through their anguish and pain.
They have been trained through this world to use it so flippantly, that it is second nature to most, therefore it seems not to be wrong by many in view of these critical situations.
Yet the Bible plainly states (Rev 2:10b) . . .
Rev 2:10b Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
“Unto death” here (Rev 2:10) refers “to the point of death,” in other words it means “being faithful unto God even at the cost of your life.”
And sadly this may be the end of some that “call upon the name of the Lord,” many of which attempt to straddle a fence between the church and the world, for they are not renewed as God has purposed (Rom 12:2).
Therefore these types of words or thoughts are in them, and in times of hard testing they come forth, the Lord said in Mt 12:34b, 37 . . .
Mat 12:34b for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
Mat 12:37 for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."
With that in view, it is easy to see that it is essential that we as children of God suffer while we are in the flesh, in order that we may learn, grow and live, in the spirit, remember Job’s case (Job 1:22; 2:9-10) . . .
Job 1:22 In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.
Job 2:9 Then his wife said to him, "Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die."
Job 2:10 But he said to her, "You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil (accept adversity; NKJV, NASB)?" In all this Job did not sin with his lips (i.e. he did not speak evil of God, he remained faithful despite the testing).
It is an interesting fact that in the bible, the word “suffer” or like words appear 136 times; 90 times in the NT, and 46 times in the OT, and with the OT being over 3 times as long (word count wise) this is a 6/1 ratio in favor of the NT.
“Suffering” therefore is indeed a prominent and essential theme in the NT.
Suffering (for good; 1 Pet 2:20), as a Christian (1 Pet 4:16) makes us like Christ (1 Pet 2:21), it builds our endurance under duress (Ja 1:4), and thus matures our faith (1 Pet 4:1), in Christ, God and His promises.
1Pe 4:16 but if a man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this name.
With this in mind think about the account of Lazarus and the rich man in Hades (Luke 16), was the lack of suffering on the rich man’s part implied to be responsible for his end? Perhaps? (turn to Lk 16:25)
Luk 16:25 But Abraham said, 'Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish.
It is likely that Lazarus suffered much, committing himself to God during these trials, while on the other hand the rich man lived the good life, without any testing in which to turn to God through, thus one ended up lost, the other saved, what about us? Do we have trials? Are we using our trials to grow closer to God? Or further away? This is the crux of this matter.
In closing let me leave you with this thought, in Romans chapter 8 the inspired apostle wrote (look at Rom 8:35-39) . . .
Rom 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? (all these include sufferings)
Rom 8:36 As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered."
Rom 8:37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. (through these troubles we win as Christians, we don’t think as the world thinks concerning these things, but as God thinks)
Rom 8:38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor (principalities) rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,
Rom 8:39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
But we can separate ourselves from Him by not enduring faithfully unto the end (Rev 2:10), the Lord stated (Mt 10:22) . . .
Mat 10:22 and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
Therefore let us use the sufferings that come upon us in this world (whether they be good, evil or amoral) to grow, to be purified according to the gospel, and when they do come, let us look at them as something profitable, thinking as God thinks (Mt 5:10),
Mat 5:10 Blessed are they that have been persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Let us be thankful that we have this testing ground, this training area, this battlefield, through which we can learn to endure faithfully (Ja 5:10-11).
Jas 5:10 As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
Jas 5:11 Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the (end) purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.
And “suffer according to the will of God” and commit our souls in well-doing (acting in accordance with God’s word) unto a faithful Creator even when under the greatest of duress’, as did our perfect example from His cross (Luke 23:34, 46; 1 Pet 1:23-24).
Luk 23:34 And Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." And they cast lots to divide his garments.
Luk 23:46 Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!" And having said this he breathed his last. (he gave up the ghost i.e. His spirit; Jn 16:30).
1Pe 2:23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.
1Pe 2:24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.
This is the true love of God (John 15:12-13)
Joh 15:12 "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
Joh 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
That will cut into the hardest of hearts (John 12:32; 3:16)
Joh 12:32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself."
Joh 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
Let us continue to access the grace of God today, while it is called today (Rom 5:1-2; Tit 2:11) . . .
Rom 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Rom 5:2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Tit 2:11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,
Through faith in God, Christ and His gospel. It has been the same plan for almost 2,000 years . . .
One is to . . .
Hear the Word of God (Acts 2:37; Rom 10:17) this how the Father plants the word, that seed of the kingdom (Lk 8:11), within the good ground, that good, honest and open heart.
One is to . . .
Believe that Jesus died for our sins, was raised from the dead, and ascended into Heaven, and that we have a living hope of following Him (1 Cor 15:1-4; 23; 1 Pet 1:3-4), belief/faith is the crossover point (Jn 5:24) wherein one enters into the process of “being saved” (Lk 13:23; Acts 2:46; 1 Cor 1:18; 15:2; 2 Cor 2:15)
Joh 5:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
And one is not to stop there, but rather continue in the process of “being saved” (Lk 13:23; Acts 2:46; 1 Cor 1:18; 15:2; 2 Cor 2:15) . . .
One is to . . .
Repent of sins, (Acts 17:30; Luke 13:3, 5), Repentance is a change of mind that results in a changed life, a life
that is likened unto Christ’s, Whom we follow/imitate (Jn 14:6; 1 Cor 11:1)
One is to . . .
Confess Jesus as the Christ to others (Acts 8:37; Rom 10:9), if you are ashamed of Christ and His words, He will be ashamed of you on That Day (Luke 9:26), this is how God propagates His kingdom (Mt 28:19-20)
One is to . . .
Be baptized (immersed) into Christ (Gal 3:27) into the death of Christ (Rom 6:3) where His precious blood was shed (John 19:34) unto (for) the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16), it is the point where one is to be dead to the practice of sin and alive unto God (Rom 6:1-11).
And finally one is to . . .
Live a holy life (1 Pet 1:15), and “knowing” what being “holy” is, it means “separated”, “set-apart” “from” the ways of the world and “to” the Way of God (2 Cor 6:14-7:1), being renewed day by day, walking not as the world walks, but as God directs, in every aspect of one’s life.
Putting off that old person, and putting on the new, being constantly in a state of spiritual growth,
Engraving, implanting God’s word and will deeper and deeper into our hearts with each passing day.
As the good ground, determined to follow God’s instructions, that difficult Way (Mt 7:14), whatever the cost may be (Rev 2:10), knowing it is worth all that and more (Rom 8:18).