Divine Purposes in Suffering

Rom.8:16-18 - The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

I Cor.4:11-12 - Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace;
12 And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:

I Cor.12:25-27 - That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

II Cor.1:4-6 - Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. 5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.
6 And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.

Phil.1:27 Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; 28 in no way alarmed by your opponents—which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God. 29 For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, 30 experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me. (NASV)

Phil.3:9-11 - And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

Phil.4:11-13 - Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

II Thess.1:4-6 - So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:
5 Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:
6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;

Heb.5:7-9 - Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;
8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

I Pet.2:20-21 - For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. 21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

I Pet.4:12-14 - Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

The theme in these verses is suffering. What role does suffering play in the lives of believing followers of the Lord Jesus, and should we expect such suffering to come our way? Many people suffer to achieve certain goals. The athlete suffers through brutal training in order to win the prize. The student suffers through long nights and a restricted social life in order to receive his law degree. The soldier suffers the unimaginable to defend and protect his country.

Suffering is common to all men on certain levels. All of us have been sick; all of us have had loved ones die; all of us have been rejected; and all of us have suffered financial setbacks. But in addition to the common sufferings, there are a host of sufferings that are distinctly related to being a follower of Jesus Christ. Those kind of sufferings are sacred sacrifices which both glorify our Master and highlight whose we are.

Although we must never orchestrate our own suffering, neither should we be surprised when it arrives. We should both expect it and embrace it. Suffering is a process designed to deepen our knowledge of Christ through identification. It can be a glorious opportunity that miraculously reveals the unseen through the prism of the seen. And when he that suffers reacts very differently than should be normally expected it can be a powerful witness for the Living Christ.

If sufferings are viewed as irritants which God never would allow, then they will affect us negatively. Many snake oil preachers have gained great wealth by convincing people that not only does God not want you to suffer, but that the path to relief is through the giving of money - to them! Most everyone can appear spiritual when they are not being tested, but when they are tested, and when circumstances are buffeting them, it is then that a more accurate measure of their spirituality will surface.

One of the most importantly ways in which we can have victory while in the midst of suffering is to consciously experience the fellowship of HIS sufferings. That is a sacred fellowship that in a mystery allows to identify with the cross, and to constantly remember how Christ suffered for us. Of course only Christ’s sufferings are eternally redemptive, but our sufferings can and should illuminate the reality of His glorious agony.

To suffer for Him is a great privilege. So often we complain or sign petitions or castigate back at those who castigate us. How can we behave and speak in such unscriptural ways, even while holding up a copy of the Bible and loudly proclaiming to believe it? It is unseemly and is at odds with the teachings of the New Testament and the narrative of our Savior’s life. Humility receives suffering silently, while self righteousness recoils at suffering and demands justice for those responsible for our distress. Spurgeon once reminded us that they called Christ “Beelzebub” so why should we expect fair treatment?

The church has rolled up her carnal sleeves and jumped into any and all battles when people speak against the beliefs or rights of believers. Newsletters go forth informing believers of such unfair and outrageous treatment, and calling them to political action! For years Madalin Murray O’Hair was the favorite scape goat for the church, and although there is precious little prayer in our churches, we took a conscience soothing umbrage over removing public prayer from schools.

Even the Pilgrims, another sacred cow, left England because they wanted relief from their suffering. Now I ask you, after reading the verses I offered, does the Lord want us to glorify Him in our suffering or tom seek a safer place? Do you see how we have deceived ourselves and constructed a more convenient and comfortable caricature of Christianity? The truth is that we in the west are not suffering at all. I could address the millions upon millions of our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world whose very lives are at stake because they believe in Jesus. Many of them work at menial jobs because they cannot be employed because of their faith, and rather than keep silent and be successful business men in China or Russia, they humble themselves and serve the Risen Christ whenever they can.

You believe we suffer because unsaved sinners belittle us, or attack us for what they perceive is moral self righteousness? Is that our claim to righteous suffering? Read once more the account in Hebrews chapter 11 and let us admit our fraud. We have so desired a piece of the suffering pie that we have created a cunningly devised hoax that costs us nothing but a war of words and we call it “suffering for Jesus”. Shame on us all. Read the Fox’s Book of Martyrs and let it break our hearts when we realize the profound shallowness of our Christian experience.

And in the midst of such a scam we complain and render words back. But are we willing to endure hardship, persecution, and suffering in Jesus’ name and with great joy?

Heb.12:2 - Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Our Lord not only endured the path that led to Golgotha, but He thought it “joy” to suffer in our place. Are we filled with joy when we are granted a chance to suffer, and especially when we suffer for Him? Let us count our lives as nothing but a living sacrifice, and let us be prepared to suffer with contentment, joy, and a grateful heart.