Thursday, August 8, 2013

The Seven Benefits of Christian Suffering

“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.” (1 Peter 4:12)


"Why is God allowing this to happen to me?"

In this season of life for many people, suffering, hardships, trials and troubles are the norm, rather than the exception. And for some, particularly those outside of the relatively easy life we live here in America, their brutal trials and suffering are unimaginable to us personally.

Man's natural response to difficult trials and suffering are most often to question God: "Why me?"

But the longer I walk along this narrow and difficult path known as the Christian life, I am learning that the right response to suffering as a Christian is not; "Why me?", but rather, "Why not."

I want to share a very timely and powerfully convicting bible study that I read this week. It is not my own material, and I will provide the source of the study at the end of this article.

This teaching is so timely, so important, so encouraging, and so right on, that I am simply compelled to share it with you.

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The Seven Benefits of Suffering

1 Peter 4:1 (a) - “Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind.

“Tough times are coming,” says Peter. “Therefore, arm yourselves with clear thinking.” He goes on to give us seven benefits of suffering.…

1 Peter 4:1 (b)–3 - ”For he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men,  but for the will of God.  For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries.”

When you go through tough times, realize, first, that suffering loosens sin’s grip on us. That is, when you go through suffering, you no longer give in to the lusts of the flesh; you no longer succumb to sin with the same ease, the same vulnerability you experienced previously. Why? Perhaps the following story provides the best answer.…

Known as the life of the party, he played on the local softball team and would often supply the keg. When his three-year-old daughter was killed by a drunk driver, he lost his heart for partying. He was no longer interested in the keggers after the softball games. He found himself despising the places to which he was once attracted when he saw the reality of what drunkenness and partying did to his own family.

That’s what suffering does. That’s what trials do. The ugliness of sin is seen when it begins to touch your own life. That is why Peter says, “If you’ve suffered in the flesh—either due to your own sin or sin by the hands of others—you see the result of sin and realize that rather than being something to wink or chuckle at, sin stinks.”

1 Peter 4:4 - “In regard to these [people], they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation [worthless, sinful living], speaking evil of you.”

Not only do you look at life more soberly, but, secondly, suffering causes others to see you differently. Tragedy, persecution, and difficulty make you a marked man. Because of what you’ve gone through, you no longer can spend your life in trivial pursuits.

1 Peter 4:5 – “They will give an account to Him who is ready  to judge the living and the dead.”

Those who choose to continue in sin will one day stand before the Lord. Peter is not saying this out of condemnation, but rather out of compassion, for he realizes they’re in grave danger.

1 Peter 4:6 – “For this reason the Gospel was preached also to those who are dead [now in Heaven], that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but  live according to God in the spirit.”

In addition to loosening sin’s grip on us and causing others to look at us differently, suffering places us in good company—the company of the martyred. Some cults use this verse to say, “When a person dies, they’ll have a second opportunity to accept the gospel.” However, taken in context, it’s clear Peter is talking about those who suffered to the point of death and are now living in heaven.

“Blessed are you when men revile, persecute, and say all manner of evil against you falsely for My name’s sake,” Jesus said. “Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. So did they unto the prophets who were before you” (see Matthew 5:11, 12). 

In other words, when you’re suffering, being put down, or mocked because of your belief in Christ, rejoice because you’re in the company of the prophets—of Jeremiah and Isaiah, Ezekiel and Hosea.

“Yes, all those who live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution,” Paul told Timothy (2 Timothy 3:12).

In other parts of the world, such persecution results in death. In our present culture, it results in ostracism or rejection. One way or another, those who live godly lives suffer persecution sooner or later. When it happens, we’re to rejoice because, according to Peter, we’re in the company of the martyrs. According to Paul, we’re in the company of the godly. And according to Jesus, we’re in the company of the prophets—good company, indeed!

1 Peter 4:7 – “But  the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.”

Fourth, suffering keeps us focused on eternity. It’s when you’re going through tough times, difficult days, seasons of suffering, pressures and persecution that you long for heaven. The good times, the nice things, and the easier days have a tendency to shift our focus off of eternity. It’s when the tough times come—when the body hurts, the heart breaks, or the wallet is empty that we say, “I don’t belong here. I’m longing for heaven.”

1 Peter 4:8–11 – “And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of  the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles [sayings] of God. If anyone ministers [serves], let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that  in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

Fifth, suffering frees us to participate in ministry (serving). With persecution heightening, no doubt Peter’s readers had already begun to scatter. Some would leave everything to hide in catacombs. Others would open their homes to those fleeing persecution.

All would be called to love one another fervently, especially in those dark days of difficulty. So much of my time is absorbed with “stuff.” When my material, emotional, or relational “stuff” is taken away, I find I am free to share with and care for others in ways I never had previously.

1 Peter 4:12 – “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try [test] you, as though some strange thing happened to you.”

“Why me?” we ask when fiery trials come upon us. The real question is, “Why not?” If suffering loosens sin’s grip on us and causes others to see us differently, if it places us in good company, keeps us focused on eternity, and frees us to participate in ministry—why wouldn’t we embrace it as a necessary part of our growth?

1 Peter 4:13, 14 – “But rejoice  to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that  when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ,  blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.”

Sixth, suffering allows us to experience glory. Jesus gave us a wonderful illustration concerning suffering when He reminded us that after a woman endures pain and suffering to give birth, she forgets about the agony when her baby is born because the suffering is transformed into glory. The same baby who causes pain brings joy.

The heartache, setback, or difficulty that is causing you pain and agony will be the very thing that will ultimately bring joy. That which is breaking your heart right now will soon be the delight of your soul—watch and see!

1 Peter 4:15 – “But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters [business].”

I find it interesting that Peter places busybodies and murderers in the same category. (If you break the law, you will suffer the consequences. You do the crime, and you’ll do the time. Suffering for Jesus’ sake is noble. Suffering because you were acting stupid is just plain stupid).

1 Peter 4:16 (a) – “Yet if any man suffers as a Christian…”

The word “Christian” only appears three times in the Bible: twice in the Book of Acts (11:26; 26:28) and once here. Meaning “little Christ,” it was initially a put-down. The early church, however, said, “That’s okay. We’ll wear with pride what the world intends as derision.” Believers have claimed it ever since.

1 Peter 4:16 (b) –“Let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in  this matter.”

If we’re suffering, our attitude should be “Thank You, Lord, that I’m found worthy to suffer. I’m in good company. You’re freeing me from the sins that used to strangle me. My vision is refocused on eternity.”

1 Peter 4:17 (a) – “For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God…”

Writing this epistle from Rome, Peter is accurately discerning the situation. As he watches the bizarre behavior of Caesar Nero and reads the winds of change, he knows that the judgment that has begun will continue. The judgment he speaks of is not from God, for the judgment we deserve was poured out on Christ. Rather, it is Satan who wars against the church.

1 Peter 4:17 (b) – “And if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey  the Gospel of God?”

If you think times are tough now, wait until God moves upon a Christ-rejecting world during the Tribulation described in Revelation 6–19. Yes, it’s hard being a Christian—but it’s a whole lot harder being a pagan. The pagan will endure unbelievable difficulty only to end up in Hell.

Life is hard. That’s just the way it is. It’s hard for everyone. You’re not being picked on. I’m not being singled out. It’s just life. Even though it’s hard, and even though we have problems, we have access to the problem-solver, Jesus Christ. We can cast our burdens upon Him.

1 Peter 4:18 – “And if the righteous one is barely saved, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?”

“I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom. But with God all things are possible” (see Matthew 19:24–26). 

Because the rich were considered to be especially blessed, the idea is not that the rich can’t be saved. The idea is that any man getting saved is impossible. It is only with God that all things are possible. Only God can squeeze sinners like us through the eye of a needle (Matthew 19:24).

1 Peter 4:19 – “Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God  commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.”

Finally, suffering reminds us to faithfully commit our soul unto our Creator. Of all the titles for God, Peter could have employed in this section dealing with suffering, he says, “When you suffer, commit your soul to your Creator.”

Why to the Creator?

God is the Creator of everything, including the situation in which you’re suffering. Nothing can happen that God doesn’t allow. He’s the Creator of the person to whom you’re married, the person with whom you work, and the neighbor by whom you live. He’s the Creator of every situation.

After tossing and turning concerning a certain aspect of ministry, I slipped out of bed, thinking, How am I going to deal with this? As I stepped outside, I immediately felt the unmistakable, all too familiar sensation of cold ooze flowing through my toes. Yes, I had stepped squarely on a giant slug. Although I immediately recoiled, the slug stuck to the bottom of my foot so firmly that I had to shake it off—causing it to hit the side of my house. As I watched it slide down the wall, I suddenly realized that, although God could have made me a slug, He, instead, created me in His own image. Because He’s my Creator, because He made the situations and the challenges around me, I must trust Him with them all.

May we be those who slowly but surely learn to embrace suffering. May we begin to understand that it truly loosens sin’s grip on us personally, causes others to see us differently, places us in good company, keeps us focused on eternity, frees us to participate in ministry, allows us to experience glory, and reminds us to commit our souls unto our Creator faithfully.

Suffering Into Glory

Suffering and glory are the twin truths woven into the fabric of Peter’s first epistle. This should not be surprising, since suffering and glory truly walk hand in hand. Whether or not they realize it, everyone craves glory. The biblical definition of “glory” is seen in the Hebrew word “Chabod”, which means “weighty” or “substantial.” Glory is a top sirloin steak as opposed to cotton candy—something one can sink his teeth into as opposed to something composed simply of sugar and air.

Man was originally clothed with this glory—the weight of the reality of God. When Adam sinned, the Chabod  departed, leaving him empty and exposed (Genesis 3:7). Yet according to our text, the day is coming when our suffering will be translated into glory for all eternity.

“But rejoice, inasmuch as you are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when His glory shall be revealed, you also may be glad with exceeding joy.” (1 Peter 4:13)

“But that’s in the sweet by-and-by,” you say. “What about now?”

Look at the next verse.

"If you be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are you; for the spirit of glory and of God rests upon you."    (1 Peter 4:14)

Peter declares that the presence of suffering brings glory. I want you to see this because it’s radical—completely contrary to everything our flesh tells us.

“If I didn’t have to suffer and go through trials, life would be glorious,” we say. 

Not true. 

Check out Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous and see if those people are experiencing glory, substance, or joy. The world insists that the absence of suffering brings glory. The Word says the presence of suffering brings glory.

In our fallen, depraved condition, we are unable to differentiate between what is truly good and bad. What we think is good and wonderful is often bad and brutal. What we think is suffering and pain is actually that which brings happiness, joy, and glory.

Suppose I had said to my son when he was young, “Son, you must keep your room immaculate because each day I’m going to give you an eight-inch-by-twelve-inch piece of paper to take care of.”

“Oh,” he would probably have said. “Why is Dad giving me this hard job? Oh, pain, agony and suffering!”—until the day in college he decides to look more closely at the stack of paper I’ve given him and discovers that each one represents one hundred shares of preferred IBM stock. He’s now a billionaire.

Look at John 16, where we see Jesus give an infinitely better illustration of suffering being transformed into glory.…

“A woman when she is in travail has sorrow, because her hour has come: but as soon as she delivers the child, she remembers her anguish no more, for joy that a man is born into the world.”  (John 16:21)

When someone tells you she’s pregnant, do you say, “Oh no! That’s going to be awful! You’re going to start gaining weight and stretching in unbelievable ways. You’ll have to go to the hospital, where you’ll sweat and strain. Oh, I’m so sorry you’re pregnant”? Of course not! We look at childbearing as a great privilege and a real joy because we know that the same baby who brings pain for a short time brings joy for a lifetime.
Peter echoes Jesus in saying that the very thing that causes discomfort—be it a marriage, job, illness, or finances—is precisely that which will bring glory and unspeakable joy.

What if we really believed this? If we truly understood what Jesus taught and what Peter reiterated, we would look at each obstacle and disappointment as a “preferred stock certificate” that will one day be transformed into great wealth. Whether it takes nine months or nine years, I have God’s word that the very thing causing me pain will be that which brings substance and joy.

Jesus modeled this for us perfectly. You see, He knows what He’s talking about when it comes to joy.

“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.”  (Hebrews 12:2)

Jesus endured the Cross because He knew it was the Cross that would bring joy. In the pain of the Cross, a baby was birthed. To hasten death, the legs of one being crucified were broken. No longer able to displace the weight of his body from his wrists and draw air into his lungs, the victim would die by suffocation. When the soldiers came to Jesus, however, there was no need to break His legs, for He had already released His spirit. Instead, a soldier pierced His side. As a result of this seemingly capricious act, blood and water—the fluids of birth—flowed from His side.

Compare this with the account of Genesis 2.

After causing a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, God opened his side and removed a rib, with which he formed a bride for Adam.

You see, just as Adam’s bride came from his side, a bride came from the blood that flowed from the side of the Last Adam—Jesus Christ.

•     Who is this bride?
You and me (Ephesians 5:25–27).

For the joy set before Him, Jesus endured the Cross.
•     What joy?
The joy of birth.

Jesus knew that the pain and suffering He endured on the Cross would be transformed into joy. Likewise, the struggle you face today—emotional or financial, spiritual or physical—has the potential to birth something wonderful in your life.

“Count it all joy when you fall into temptation, into trials, into suffering,” James wrote (see 1:2). 

May we be those who do just that. May we be those who celebrate even the difficulties that come our way, knowing they are the materials from which the Lord will fashion joy. May we realize suffering and glory are two sides of the same coin. 

And, may we invest wisely and spend freely."

(Source: joncourson.com)

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I hope you are as blessed by this study as I was. To God be the glory! 

God is Love and Love Never Fails.





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