Suffering.

today's sermon was on suffering.

"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name. . . . Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right." 1 Peter 3:12-16, 19 (NASB)

an elder preached the message, a man I have quickly grown to respect during my short time knowing him. and the Lord used his message at just the time I needed it. funny how He does that.

while I have by no means suffered what 90% of the world endures (poverty, disease, a struggling marriage, a wayward child, bankruptcy), I have witnessed a kind of "fiery ordeal" escalate to a point of breakage. I watched a person I love dearly hit rock bottom emotionally and mentally as they made a difficult decision.

I will not go into any details whatsoever of the kind of ordeal this was. however, it severely effected this individual, as well as several other individuals.

but really, why must we endure these things? we are God's people, His elect, His children, correct? why do we have to put up with trials and feel the burn and the sting of hard decisions and pressing times? is God disciplining us? punishing us for something we did?

our finite understanding often lands on that conclusion. clearly I did something wrong, so God is smacking my hand for it. this is not too far-fetched, but it would be ridiculous to conclude that this is the permanent reason for suffering. the author of Hebrews explains:

"It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons." Hebrews 12:7-8 (NASB).

gathering from these two verses, it is clear that God disciplines only those whom He loves. so really, it is an assurance of your salvation to be disciplined by God. but it does not end there.

"Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness." Hebrews 5:9-10 (NASB).

suffering and trials are not merely God's revenge for a sin we committed. God is not so trivial. when we suffer,  it is God transforming us. a quote in my Bible from this morning's sermon says simply

"suffering not for punishment, but purification (ie: Paul: 'I was given a thorn')"

and the corresponding verse written by Paul:

"Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me--to keep me from exalting myself!" 2 Corinthians 12:7 (NASB)

God provides suffering, trials, torment, and anguish to make us holy. to remind us that yes, we are blessed, but we are still sinners with no right to boast. to tap us on the shoulder or smack us with a two-by-four and say, "I am God, your Creator, and you are the creation. you rejected me, and it is only because of my grace, my extended hand, that you are able to fellowship with me. but fellowship with me entails partaking in my suffering, for I suffered the most painful, horrific, tearing death and torment for you. the least you could do is suffer but a little in order to serve and love me better."

"Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right." 1 Peter 4:19 (NASB)